Catherine Moore1, Simon Cottrell2, Jörg Hoffmann3, Michael Carr4, Hannah Evans2, Linda Dunford4, Heather Lawson5, Kevin E Brown5, Rachel Jones6. 1. Molecular Diagnostics Unit, Public Health Wales Microbiology Cardiff, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff CF14 4XW, United Kingdom. Electronic address: catherine.moore2@wales.nhs.uk. 2. Public Health Wales, Temple of Peace and Health, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NW, United Kingdom. 3. Health Protection Division (Mid and West Wales), Public Health Wales, 36 Orchard Street, Swansea SA1 5AQ, United Kingdom. 4. Molecular Reference and Research Unit, National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland. 5. Virus Reference Department, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, United Kingdom. 6. Welsh Specialist Virology Centre, Public Health Wales, Microbiology Cardiff, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff CF14 4XW, United Kingdom.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We describe the laboratory response to a large measles outbreak that occurred during 2012-2013 centred in mid and west Wales, UK. OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the impact of rapid measles testing on the management of a large outbreak, to show the complex molecular epidemiology and determine the role of previous MMR immunisation on a large cohort of exposed people. STUDY DESIGN: Results from oral fluid antibody testing and self-collected buccal swabs tested by real-time PCR were reconciled and analysed to determine level of agreement and to calculate MMR vaccine efficacy during the outbreak. RESULTS: During the outbreak 1435 notifications of measles were received from across Wales. Samples were received from 70% of notified cases with a positivity rate of 56% within the outbreak compared to 15% for the rest of Wales. Measles RNA was detected in 53 cases with previous history of MMR immunisation, but viral loads were lower than those detected in unimmunised cases. The molecular epidemiology showed at least two distinct D8 strains of measles virus were introduced into Wales along with a separate introduction of a B3 strain outside the outbreak area. CONCLUSION: Molecular testing of all notified measles cases offers the most rapid way of confirming the introduction of measles into a population potentially before secondary transmission has already occurred. The outbreak data confirms the protective effect of the MMR vaccine with vaccine efficacy calculated at 96% for one dose and 99% for two doses supporting the WHO recommendations for a two dose MMR immunisation schedule.
BACKGROUND: We describe the laboratory response to a large measles outbreak that occurred during 2012-2013 centred in mid and west Wales, UK. OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the impact of rapid measles testing on the management of a large outbreak, to show the complex molecular epidemiology and determine the role of previous MMR immunisation on a large cohort of exposed people. STUDY DESIGN: Results from oral fluid antibody testing and self-collected buccal swabs tested by real-time PCR were reconciled and analysed to determine level of agreement and to calculate MMR vaccine efficacy during the outbreak. RESULTS: During the outbreak 1435 notifications of measles were received from across Wales. Samples were received from 70% of notified cases with a positivity rate of 56% within the outbreak compared to 15% for the rest of Wales. Measles RNA was detected in 53 cases with previous history of MMR immunisation, but viral loads were lower than those detected in unimmunised cases. The molecular epidemiology showed at least two distinct D8 strains of measles virus were introduced into Wales along with a separate introduction of a B3 strain outside the outbreak area. CONCLUSION: Molecular testing of all notified measles cases offers the most rapid way of confirming the introduction of measles into a population potentially before secondary transmission has already occurred. The outbreak data confirms the protective effect of the MMR vaccine with vaccine efficacy calculated at 96% for one dose and 99% for two doses supporting the WHO recommendations for a two dose MMR immunisation schedule.
Authors: Donald R Latner; Sun B Sowers; Kiana Anthony; Heather Colley; Christine Badeau; Jessica Coates; Phili Wong; Yetunde Fakile; Cristina Interiano; Kevin B Pannell; Van Leung-Pineda; Manisha M Patel; Paul A Rota; Brandi M Limbago; Carole J Hickman Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2020-05-26 Impact factor: 5.948
Authors: Sun B Sowers; Jennifer S Rota; Carole J Hickman; Sara Mercader; Susan Redd; Rebecca J McNall; Nobia Williams; Marcia McGrew; M Laura Walls; Paul A Rota; William J Bellini Journal: Clin Vaccine Immunol Date: 2016-08-05
Authors: Paul A Gastañaduy; Emily Banerjee; Chas DeBolt; Pamela Bravo-Alcántara; Samia A Samad; Desiree Pastor; Paul A Rota; Manisha Patel; Natasha S Crowcroft; David N Durrheim Journal: Hum Vaccin Immunother Date: 2018-07-11 Impact factor: 3.452