Molecular epidemiology of measles viruses in the United States, 1997-2001.
From 1997 to 2001, sequence data from 55 clinical specimens were obtained from confirmed measles cases in the United States, representing 21 outbreaks and 34 sporadic cases. Sequence analysis indicated the presence of 11 of the recognized genotypes. The most common genotypes detected were genotype D6, usually identified from imported cases from Europe, and genotype D5, associated with importations from Japan. A number of viruses belonging to genotype D4 were imported from India and Pakistan. Overall, viral genotypes were determined for 13 chains of transmission with an unknown source of virus, and seven different genotypes were identified. Therefore, the diversity of Measles virus genotypes observed in the United States from 1997 to 2001 reflected multiple imported sources of virus and indicated that no strain of measles is endemic in the United States.
Measles Virus Section, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. prota@cdc.gov
Paul A
PA
Rota
Stephanie L
SL
Liffick
Jennifer S
JS
Rota
Russell S
RS
Katz
Susan
S
Redd
Mark
M
Papania
William J
WJ
Bellini
D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005260:Female; D005814:Genes, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D008459:Measles virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D011159:Population Surveillance; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology