Genetic and antigenic characterisation of the haemagglutinin protein of measles virus strains recently circulating in the UK.
The complete nucleotide sequence of the H protein gene of seven measles virus (MV) strains, representing three MV genotypes circulating in the UK in recent years, was determined. Compared to the MV vaccine strain Moraten (Mor-v), the divergence of the coded H gene (aal-600) of the seven UK strains was between 1.8% and 2.8%. Representative isolates from each of the genotypes were tested by radio-immunoprecipitation using a panel of H protein-specific MAbs. Different patterns of MAb reactivity were shown between the three genotypes and between the wild-type strains and the vaccine strain. Plaque reduction neutralising antibody titres against strains UK350/94 (genotype I) and UK226/94 (genotype III) were measured in sera from 11 vaccinees. Vaccine derived antibody neutralised both strains and the GMTs were not significantly lower against the wild-type strains than against strain Mor-v.
Enteric and Respiratory Virus Laboratory, Central Public Health Laboratory, London, UK. ljin@phls.co.uk
L
L
Jin
W A
WA
Knowles
P A
PA
Rota
W J
WJ
Bellini
D W
DW
Brown
D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002648:Child; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006389:Hemagglutinins, Viral / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008457:Measles / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008459:Measles virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D010802:Phylogeny; D006113:United Kingdom; D014709:Vero Cells; D010948:Viral Plaque Assay
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006389:Hemagglutinins, Viral; D008458:Measles Vaccine; C032397:hemagglutinin protein G, measles virus