Mumps epidemiology in Cuba between 2004 and 2015

The objective of the study was to investigate mumps epidemiology in Cuba between 2004 and 2015 and provide an in-depth laboratory characterization of selected samples from mumps patients. Samples from 116 cases (throat swabs, urines, paired acute and convalescent serum samples) were tested for mumps-specific IgM antibodies by ELISA, in a hemagglutination inhibition assay (HIA) or by RT-PCR. IgM antibodies were found in 80.2% of cases. 48.3% of first sera were positive, 30 of which were collected within two days after symptom onset. Testing of all 116 paired sera by HIA showed seroconversion in 55.2% individuals and an at least fourfold increase in antibodies in 44.8% of cases. In 18 out of the 111 vaccinated people (16.2%) no IgM antibodies were detected, neither in the acute nor the convalescent sera, but 14 of them showed seroconversion by HIA and 4 had an at least fourfold increase of hemagglutinin antibody titers. In the RT-PCR, 23 acute phase sera, 4 throat swabs and 5 urines were positive. Detection of mumps-specific IgM antibodies by ELISA and additional diagnostic methods may be required in settings with high vaccination coverage rates.
Source: Archives of Virology - Category: Virology Source Type: research