Genetic characterization of measles viruses isolated in Turkey during 2000 and 2001.
BACKGROUND
Molecular epidemiologic studies have made significant contributions to measles surveillance activities by helping to identify source and transmission pathways of the virus. This report describes the genetic characterization of wild-type measles viruses isolated in Turkey in 2000 and 2001.


RESULTS
Wild-type measles viruses were isolated from 24 cases from five provinces in Turkey during 2001. The viruses were analyzed using the standard genotyping protocols. All isolates were classified as genotype D6, the same genotype that was identified in Turkey in previous outbreaks during 1998.


CONCLUSIONS
Turkey has begun implementation of a national program to eliminate measles by 2010. Therefore, this baseline genotype data will provide a means to monitor the success of the elimination program.
Korukluoglu
Gulay
G
National Measles/Rubella Laboratory, Refik Saydam National Hygiene Center, Ankara, Turkey. gucank@hotmail.com
Liffick
Stephanie
S
Guris
Dalya
D
Kobune
Fumio
F
Rota
Paul A
PA
Bellini
William J
WJ
Ceylan
Ali
A
Ertem
Meliksah
M
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D008459:Measles virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D019590:Nucleocapsid Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D010802:Phylogeny; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D019590:Nucleocapsid Proteins