Identification of measles virus genotypes from recent outbreaks in countries from the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
BACKGROUND
Molecular characterization of measles viruses (MV) helps to identify transmission pathways of the virus and to document persistence or interruption of endemic virus circulation. In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, measles genotypes from only few countries have been documented.


OBJECTIVE
This study reports the genetic characteristics of virus strains from recent measles outbreaks in Tunisia, Libya, Syria and Iran in 2002-2003.


METHODS
Virus sequences in the nucleoprotein gene were obtained by PCR amplification of virus isolates or serum samples. The sequences were compared to the reference ones for genotype identification and to other published sequences within the same genotype.


CONCLUSIONS
The Tunisian and Libyan epidemic strains belonged to genotype B3, they were closely related to each other and to isolates from Western Africa. The Syrian and Iranian viruses belonged to genotype D4, and differed from each other and from the other published sequences within this genotype. Our results provide valuable baseline and new tools for improved virological measles surveillance in the future, at country, regional and global levels.
Djebbi
Ahlem
A
Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory on Poliomyelitis and Measles, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, 13 Place Pasteur, BP 74, 1002 Tunis, Belvédère, Tunisia.
Bahri
Olfa
O
Mokhtariazad
Talat
T
Alkhatib
Mouna
M
Ben Yahia
Ahlem
A
Rezig
Dorra
D
Mohsni
Ezzeddine
E
Triki
Hinda
H
D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008457:Measles / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008459:Measles virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019083:Mediterranean Region / Q000453:epidemiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D004279:DNA, Viral