Genetic analysis of Asian measles virus strains - new endemic genotype in Nepal

In many parts of Asia measles virus (MV) continues to be endemic. However, little is known about the genetic characteristics of viruses circulating on this continent. This study reports the molecular epidemiological analysis based on the entire nucleocapsid (N) and hemagglutinin (H) genes of the fir st isolates from Nepal and Taiwan, as well as of recent MV strains from Ind ia, Indonesia, and China. Four isolates collected in various regions in Nep al during 1999 belonged to a new genotype, tentatively called D8. Another N epalese isolate and one from India belonged to genotype D4. The diversity o f the Nepalese strains indicated that measles continues to be endemic in th is country. The isolate from Taiwan grouped with D3 viruses and one Chinese strain isolated in The Netherlands was assigned to the previously describe d clade H, known to be endemic in Mainland China. Molecular characterizatio n emerges as an important tool for monitoring virus endemicity and vaccinat ion efforts. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.