Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2008 | Research
Genetic heterogeneity of L-Zagreb mumps virus vaccine strain
Published in: Virology Journal | Issue 1/2008
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Background
The most often used mumps vaccine strains Jeryl Lynn (JL), RIT4385, Urabe-AM9, L-Zagreb and L-3 differ in immunogenicity and reactogenicity. Previous analyses showed that JL, Urabe-AM9 and L-3 are genetically heterogeneous.
Results
We identified the heterogeneity of L-Zagreb throughout the entire genome. Two major variants were defined: variant A being identical to the consensus sequence of viral seeds and vaccine(s) and variant B which differs from variant A in three nucleotide positions. The difference between viral variants in L-Zagreb strain is insufficient for distinct viral strains to be defined. We demonstrated that proportion of variants in L-Zagreb viral population depends on cell substrate used for viral replication in vitro and in vivo.
Conclusion
L-Zagreb strain should be considered as a single strain composed of at least two variant viral genomes.