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Investigation of measles and rubella outbreaks in Tamil Nadu, India—2003
Author(s) -
Ramamurty Nalini,
Raja Duraisamy,
Gunasekaran Palani,
Varalakshmi Elango,
Mohana Sambasivam,
Jin Li
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9071
pISSN - 0146-6615
DOI - 10.1002/jmv.20569
Subject(s) - measles , measles virus , rubella , outbreak , virology , serology , genotype , morbillivirus , tamil , biology , medicine , immunology , antibody , vaccination , gene , genetics , linguistics , philosophy
The aims of the present study were to confirm measles outbreaks by detection of measles‐specific IgM antibodies, isolation of measles virus, and genetic characterization to document the circulating genotypes in Tamil Nadu. Eight outbreaks were reported from six districts of Tamil Nadu, India during the period Jan–Dec 2003. Blood samples were collected for serology, urine, and throat swabs for virus isolation. Genotypic characterization of measles isolates was based on the sequence of the N gene. All the clinically suspected outbreaks (n = 8) were confirmed by serology; six out of the eight as measles and two as combination of measles and rubella highlighting the need to carry out rubella serology on measles‐negative samples. Genetic characterization of three isolates obtained revealed one as genotype D4 and two as D8. Measles genotypes D4 and D8 were found to circulate in three districts of Tamil Nadu. It is necessary to be aware of the circulating genotypes within the geographical area. The information would be valuable to evaluate control measures and identify viral transmission and importation. J. Med. Virol. 78:508–513, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.