GENETIC AND ANTIGENIC CHARACTERIZATION OF THE HEMAGGLUTININ PROTEIN OF MEASLES-VIRUS STRAINS RECENTLY CIRCULATING IN THE UK

The complete nucleotide sequence of the H protein gene of seven measle s virus (MV) strains, representing three MV genotypes circulating in t he UK in recent years, was determined. Compared to the MV vaccine stra in Moraten (Mor-v), the divergence of the coded H gene (aa1-600) of th e seven UK strains was between 1.8% and 2.8%. Representative isolates from each of the genotypes were tested by radio-immunoprecipitation us ing a panel of H protein-specific MAbs. Different patterns of MAb reac tivity were shown between the three genotypes and between the wild-typ e strains and the vaccine strain. Plaque reduction neutralising antibo dy titres against strains UK350/94 (genotype I) and UK226/94 (genotype III) were measured in sera from 11 vaccinees. Vaccine derived antibod y neutralised both strains and the GMTs were not significantly lower a gainst the wild-type strains than against strain Mor-v. (C) 1998 Elsev ier Science B.V. All rights reserved.