Genetic analysis of measles viruses isolated in the United States, 1995-1996.
Genetic analysis was conducted on 28 wild type measles viruses isolated from outbreaks or cases in the United States during 1995-1996. These viruses were members of at least 6 distinct genetic groups. However, none of these viruses was related to the group 2 viruses that were associated with the resurgence of measles in the United States between 1989 and 1992 except for a single importation from the Philippines. The sequence data support and extend previous findings showing that transmission of group 2 viruses within the United States was interrupted after 1993. The data also suggest that all measles cases that occurred in the United States in 1995-1996 were the result of importation of virus, even in instances when the source was unknown. Molecular epidemiologic studies can provide a means to measure the success of measles control programs by helping to identify the transmission pathways of the virus.
Rota
J S
JS
Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
Rota
P A
PA
Redd
S B
SB
Redd
S C
SC
Pattamadilok
S
S
Bellini
W J
WJ
D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D008459:Measles virus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D012367:RNA, Viral