Rubella seroprevalence among pregnant women in Burkina Faso.

Background: Despite the serious consequences of rubella infection during early pregnancy, very little is known about the rubella seroprevalence in a number of African countries including Burkina Faso.

Methods: Between December 2007 and March 2008 serum samples were collected from 341 pregnant women in Bobo (n = 132, urban area) and Houndé (n = 209, rural area) and were tested for rubella-specific IgG antibodies with a commercial ELISA kit.

Results: An overall seropositivity rate of 95.

Concentration and diversity of noroviruses detected in Luxembourg wastewaters in 2008-2009.

Noroviruses (NoV) in 78 wastewater samples from Luxembourg were quantified, cloned, and sequenced in 2008-2009. The concentrations of NoV genogroup II and the relative occurrences of certain genotypes changed significantly during the winter season. NoV genogroup I was frequently detected by real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), albeit at 30-fold lower concentrations than for genogroup II, hampering attempts to assess overall genetic diversity by the cloning/sequencing approach.

Molecular genotyping and epidemiology of measles virus transmission in the World Health Organization European Region, 2007-2009.

Background: In 2002, the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted a goal to eliminate measles in the European Region by 2010. Measles elimination is defined as the interruption of indigenous measles virus (MV) transmission. The molecular epidemiology of MV transmission in the WHO European Region was studied through the investigation of reported cases and outbreaks to monitor the region's progress toward its measles elimination goal.

Swine influenza virus antibodies in humans, western Europe, 2009.

Serologic studies for swine influenza viruses (SIVs) in humans with occupational exposure to swine have been reported from the Americas but not from Europe. We compared levels of neutralizing antibodies against 3 influenza viruses--pandemic (H1N1) 2009, an avian-like enzootic subtype H1N1 SIV, and a 2007-08 seasonal subtype H1N1--in 211 persons with swine contact and 224 matched controls in Luxembourg. Persons whose profession involved contact with swine had more neutralizing antibodies against SIV and pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus than did the controls.

Revealing new measles virus transmission routes by use of sequence analysis of phosphoprotein and hemagglutinin genes.

With improved measles virus (MV) control, the genetic variability of the MV-nucleoprotein hypervariable region (NP-HVR) decreases. Thus, it becomes increasingly difficult to determine the origin of a virus using only this part of the genome. During outbreaks in Europe and Africa, we found MV strains with identical NP-HVR sequences.

Measles virus strain diversity, Nigeria and Democratic Republic of the Congo.

We investigated the genetic diversity of measles virus (MV) in Nigeria (2004-2005) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) (2002-2006). Genotype B3 strains circulating in Kinshasa, DRC, in 2002-2003 were fully replaced by genotype B2 in 2004 at the end of the second Congo war. In Nigeria (2004-2005), two genetic clusters of genotype B3, both of which were most closely related to 1 variant from 1998, were identified.

Interplay of measles virus with early induced cytokines reveals different wild type phenotypes.

Differential effects of measles virus (MV) on the innate immune response may influence virus spread and severity of disease. Using a representative panel of 22 MV strains including 14 different genotypes, we found that wild-type (wt) differ considerably in their sensitivity to type I interferon (IFN). The wt virus production was 2-47-fold lower in IFN-alpha treated Vero/hSLAM cells, whereas vaccine virus production was reduced only 2-3-fold.

Extensive phosphorylation flanking the C-terminal functional domains of the measles virus nucleoprotein.

The measles virus nucleoprotein (vNP) is the first and most abundant protein in infected cells. It plays numerous important roles including the encapsidation of genomic viral RNA and the transcription of viral proteins. Intricate interactions with host cell proteins rely on the structural integrity of its functional domains.

Newcastle disease virus in West Africa: new virulent strains identified in non-commercial farms.

Forty-four Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strains, obtained between 2002 and 2007 from different poultry species in Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso and Cameroon, were phylogenetically analysed based on partial F sequences. Lineage 2 viruses were genetically identical or similar to the locally used LaSota vaccine strain and were mostly detected in commercial farms. Lineage 1, 3 and 4 strains were only sporadically found, and their origin was less clear.

Replacement of sublineages of avian influenza (H5N1) by reassortments, sub-Saharan Africa.

Eight new full-length sequences from highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (H5N1) from 4 states in southwest Nigeria were analyzed. All gene sequences were more closely related to the first strains found in Nigeria in 2006 than to any strain found outside the country. Six viruses had evolved by at least 3 reassortment events (AC HA/NS, AC NS) from previously identified sublineages A (EMA 2) and C (EMA 1).

A multiplex TaqMan PCR assay for the detection of measles and rubella virus.

Measles and rubella virus cause fever/rash diseases that are difficult to differentiate clinically. Both viruses can be detected in the same clinical specimens and are propagated on the same cell cultures. A single-tube multiplex TaqMan assay is described for the simultaneous and rapid detection of the full spectrum of known genetic variants.

High genetic diversity of measles virus, World Health Organization European Region, 2005-2006.

During 2005-2006, nine measles virus (MV) genotypes were identified throughout the World Health Organization European Region. All major epidemics were associated with genotypes D4, D6, and B3. Other genotypes (B2, D5, D8, D9, G2, and H1) were only found in limited numbers of cases after importation from other continents.

Genotyping of recent measles virus strains from Russia and Vietnam by nucleotide-specific multiplex PCR.

The nucleoprotein genes of 49 measles virus (MV) strains circulating in Russia between 2000 and 2006 and in Vietnam in 2003 were analyzed by genotype-specific PCR and the results were compared with their sequences. The sequences revealed the presence of genotypes H1 and H2 in the center (Nha Trang) and the north (Hanoi) of Vietnam, respectively. The relative diversity of the H2 strains suggested an endemic circulation of these viruses in the capital.

Reducing global disease burden of measles and rubella: report of the WHO Steering Committee on research related to measles and rubella vaccines and vaccination, 2005.

The WHO Steering Committee reviewed and evaluated the progress towards global control of measles and rubella and provided guidelines for future research activities concerning both diseases during its meeting in New Delhi, in April 2005. Global measles vaccination coverage increased from 71% in 1999 to 76% in 2004 and indigenous transmission was interrupted or kept at very low levels in many countries. However, Africa and Southeast Asia continue to experience endemic transmission and high mortality rates, despite a global mortality reduction of 39% between 1999 and 2003.

Waning antibodies in measles and rubella vaccinees--a longitudinal study.

The evolution of measles- and rubella-specific serum IgG was followed in a longitudinal study in 224 young adolescent vaccinees, with or without boost vaccination before or during the 6.8-year observation period. Antibody titres were monitored by enzyme immuno assay (Enzygnost, Dade-Behring).

Re-exposure to wild-type virus stabilizes measles-specific antibody levels in late convalescent patients.

Background: Infection with wild-type (wt) measles virus strains induces high antibody levels believed to provide life-long protection against disease.

Objectives: Humoral immunity was followed up in convalescent measles patients to assess the persistence of specific antibodies after measles disease in individuals without and with documented re-exposure to wt virus.

Study Design: Paired sera were collected from 43 late convalescents (LC) before re-exposure and 3.

Evaluation of commercial assay detecting specific immunoglobulin g in oral fluid for determining measles immunity in vaccinees.

A commercial assay for detection of measles immunoglobulin G (IgG) in oral fluid was evaluated in a highly vaccinated cohort using serum IgG as gold standard. In contrast to previous studies from cohorts protected by natural immunity, antibody prevalence was significantly underestimated (-7.4%; confidence interval: -1.

Measles virus genotyping by nucleotide-specific multiplex PCR.

A simple genotyping method based on multiplex PCR has been developed to discriminate between all active measles virus (MV) clades and genotypes (A, B3.1, B3.2, C2, D2-D9, G2-G3, and H1-H2).