Molecular characterisation of measles virus strains among refugees from Central African Republic in Cameroon in 2014

Abstract

Measles is a highly infectious human viral disease caused by measles virus (MeV). An estimated 114 900 measles deaths occurred worldwide in 2014. There are currently eight clades (A-H) comprised 24 MeV genotypes. We sought to characterise MeVs among Central African Republic (CAR) refugees during the 2014 measles epidemic in Cameroon. Samples were collected from children <15 years with suspected measles infections in two refugee camps in the east region of Cameroon. Viral RNA was extracted directly from urine samples. RNA detection of MeV RNA was performed with real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify a 634 bp nucleotide fragment of the N gene. The sequence of the PCR product was obtained to determine the genotype. MeV RNA was detected in 25 out of 30 samples from suspected cases, and among the 25 positive samples, MeV sequences were obtained from 20. The MeV strains characterised were all genotype B3. The MeV strains from genotype B3 found in this outbreak were more similar to those circulating in Northern Cameroon in 2010-2011 than to MeV strains circulating in the CAR in 2011. Surveillance system should be improved to focus on refugees for early detection of and response to outbreaks.

Rubella epidemiology in the Central African Republic, 2015-2016 and molecular characterization of virus strains from 2008-2016

“…Spontaneously and fortuitously constructed Internal Displacement Camps (IDPs) have become largely overcrowded long-term shelters and may have facilitated virus spread (Shetty, 2019). Although only 6 rubella cases are known to have occurred in refugees in the present study, studies in IDPs and refugees in other African countries have documented incidence increases or outbreaks of various infectious diseases and linked them to unhealthy living conditions, overcrowding and social marginalization (Hassanain et al, 2018, Ndombo et al, 2018, Roberts, 2017, Roggen et al, 2014, van Berlaer et al, 2016.…”

A Scoping Review of the Health of African Immigrant and Refugee Children

“…Similarly, problems with Chlamydia trachomatis, cholera, and varicella-zoster virus are evident in AMC in the United States and Algeria [29][30][31]. The presence of measles and rubella also affects the health of AMC in Cameroon and Cote d'Ivoire [32,33], as did Heliobacter pylori in Australia, although the latter was reduced by premigration antimalarial therapy [34][35][36][37]. Tinea capitis is a common infectious disease among AMC in New Zealand [38], Israel [39], Spain [40,41], and Australia [42].…”

Ultrasensitive and Label-Free Detection of the Measles Virus Using an N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Based Electrochemical Biosensor

“…Although most common SAMs used in electrochemical sensors are thiol-based, these are known to suffer from instability, leading to irreproducibility . Recently, NHCs have been shown to form more robust SAMs that can be tethered to a range of metal surfaces, with exemplary resistance to degradation. , However, to date, NHC-based biosensors have only been described using optical techniques, such as surface plasmon resonance. − In this work, we employ an antibody (Ab) that is specific toward the transmembrane H protein of the measles virus . Thus, we require no preprocessing steps to break open the virus particles prior to sensing (i.e., viral lysis), providing a simpler workflow compared to current approaches .…”

“…12−14 In this work, we employ an antibody (Ab) that is specific toward the transmembrane H protein of the measles virus. 15 Thus, we require no preprocessing steps to break open the virus particles prior to sensing (i.e., viral lysis), providing a simpler workflow compared to current approaches. 5 The resulting sensors have a linear response to 10−100 μg/mL of the intact measles virus, with a limit of detection of 6 μg/mL, encompassing the range of virus concentrations relevant to human health applications.…”