ORIGINAL ARTICLES AND REVIEWS
Measles in Italy, laboratory surveillance activity during 2010
Claudia FortunaI, *; Melissa BaggieriI, *; Antonella MarchiI; Eleonora BenedettiI; Paola BucciI; Martina Del MansoII; Silvia DeclichII; Stefania IannazzoIII; Maria Grazia PompaIII; Loredana NicolettiI; Fabio MaguranoI
IDipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie ed Immunomediate, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
IICentro Nazionale di Epidemiologia, Sorveglianza e Promozione della Salute, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
IIIUfficio Malattie Infettive e Profilassi Internazionale, Ministero della Salute, Rome, Italy
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The European Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO/Europe) developed a strategic approach to stop the indigenous transmission of measles in its 53 Member States by 2015. This study describes the measles laboratory surveillance activity performed by the National Reference Laboratory for Measles and Rubella at the Italian National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità) during 2010.
METHODS: Urine, oral fluid and capillary blood samples from 211 suspected measles cases arrived to the NRL from different regions of Italy for confirmation of the clinical diagnosis. Serological and/or molecular assays were performed; after molecular detection, positive samples were sequenced and genotyped.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: 85% (180/211) of the specimens were confirmed as measles cases and 139 of these were analyzed phylogenetically. The phylogenetic analysis revealed a co-circulation of D4 and D8 genotypes for the reviewed period.
Key words: measles; molecular diagnosis; laboratory surveillance
INTRODUCTION
Since 2001, the World Health Organization (WHO) has developed strategic plans to ensure global reduction in mortality from measles and make progress towards the interruption of its transmission. For the WHO European Region the interruption of indigenous transmission was initially expected by 2007 and the certification of the elimination by 2010 [1, 2]. In September 2010, the WHO Regional Committee for Europe set the displacement of the goals of elimination of measles and rubella and the reduction of cases of congenital rubella by 2015 [3]. The regional committee drew attention to the need to renew the political commitment, resources and actions to achieve these objectives.
Globally, measles morbidity and mortality have been dramatically reduced since the implementation of enhanced vaccination strategies [4, 5], and the interruption of indigenous transmission of measles virus (MV) has been reported from several countries [6-8]. Furthermore, large outbreaks continue to occur in countries with high vaccination coverage after the importation of the virus from endemic regions [9-11].
In Italy, the goal of measles elimination was first fixed in 2003 with the National Plan for the Elimination of Measles and Congenital Rubella (PNEMoRc) with the final target to achieve and maintain the state of elimination at national level [12]. Measles vaccination is routinely delivered as a trivalent vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) offered free of charge, but the coverage levels are still below the target levels in most areas, and several outbreaks have been occurring since the beginning of 2010 in various Italian regions [13, 14].
In February 2011, Italy reiterated PNEMoRc, following the WHO Committee indications, to reach measles and rubella elimination by 2015. Then, the role of National Reference Laboratory (NRL) at the Italian National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome) in supporting cases ascertainment, confirming outbreaks/cases and determining MV genotypes was reconfirmed.
This article describes the laboratory surveillance activity performed by the Italian NRL during 2010.
METHODS
A case of measles was defined as one that met the clinical case definition (clinical picture compatible with measles, i.e. a generalized rash lasting more than three days and a temperature >38.0 °C, with one or more of the following symptoms: cough, coryza, Koplik's spots, conjunctivitis.
Urine, oral fluid specimens and dried blood spots collected within 10 days from the onset of the symptoms are the most suitable samples for the measles diagnosis, since they are used for both confirmation of the cases and molecular characterization. NRL provided sampling kits to the Italian local health authorities in order to collect these specimens.
Samples were collected in different Italian regions from 211 patients with clinical signs of measles, and sent to the NRL for confirmation of the diagnosis. Before collecting samples subjects, or their parents in case of children, had to sign the "informed consensus".
NRL's tests for confirmation included specific IgM antibodies detection in blood samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assay, molecular detection and genetic characterization of MV by PCR assay on urine and/or oral fluid samples. Urine and oral fluid specimens were collected as previous described [15, 16], and the tests were performed under the indications of the National Plan of Elimination of Measles and Congenital Rubella (Manual for the laboratory diagnosis of measles and rubella infections). Three circles of 6 mm ø, containing capillary blood, were punched-out from a dried blood spot and used for the ELISA assay (Siemens, Germany) [17].
Total RNA was extracted from urine sediment using RNEasy Mini Kit (Qiagen) and from oral fluid using QiAmp Viral RNA Mini Kit (Qiagen), according to the manufacturer's instructions. Two rounds of PCR amplification were performed on a highly conserved region located on the N gene of the MV genome, as previous described [15, 18]. PCR products were sequenced by Macrogen DNA Sequencing Service (http://dna.macrogen.com) and sequence data about the 450 nucleotides that code for the carboxy-terminal 150 amino acids of the nucleoprotein (N) were analysed phylogenetically. Phylogenetic analysis and tree reconstructions were performed with MEGA software version 6.06 [19]. Virus isolates and genotypes were named according to the new official WHO nomenclature [20, 21].
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Clinical samples from a total of 211 patients with suspected measles infection arrived at NRL from different regions of Italy to confirm measles diagnosis by serological and molecular assays (Figure 1). Measles infection was confirmed for 180 of them.
The results obtained with different assays are shown in Table 1. Age distribution for 137 out 180 confirmed cases for which the data of birth was available is shown in (Figure 2). Urine samples were available for 164 patients, for 62 also the blood sample was available. Of the latter, 49 were positive both in PCR and ELISA assays; 2 were PCR positive and IgM border line, 3 patients were IgM positive but PCR negative. Samples from 8 patients were negative in both PCR and ELISA assays. Of the 102 patients for which only urine sample was available, 86 were positive.
Oral fluid samples from 36 patients were tested, and for 35 of these the blood sample was also available. Four-teen samples were positive in both PCR and ELISA assays; 1 was PCR positive and IgM negative, 14 were IgM positive and PCR negative. Samples from 6 patients were negative in both PCR and ELISA assays. For 1 patient only the oral fluid sample was available and it was PCR positive.
For 11 suspected cases only the blood sample was available, and the ELISA result was positive for 10 of these.
In summary, during 2010 NRL received samples from 211 patients. The number of samples received and their distribution by type are shown in Figure 1. A total of 62 suspected measles patients with both blood and urine samples were tested and 54 were confirmed. A percentage of 90.7% (49/54) was positive by both PCR and ELISA tests; 3.7% (2/54) was positive only in PCR and 5.6% (3/54) was positive only ELISA. Then, PCR on urine showed a samples positivity rate of 94.4%, and the total samples positivity rate in ELISA was 96.3%.
Samples from 35 suspected measles patients with both blood and saliva samples were tested in molecular and serological assays, and 29 were confirmed. Of these, a percentage of 48.3% (14/29) was positive in both PCR and ELISA tests; 3.4% (1/29) was positive in PCR only and 48.3% (14/29) was positive in ELISA only. Then, PCR on oral fluid showed a positivity rate of 51.7% and the total samples positivity rate in ELISA was 96.6%.
Despite this analysis involved an exiguous number of samples, these data might suggest that PCR performed on urine and ELISA performed on blood show a comparable yield, proving to be both more sensitive than PCR performed on oral fluid.
MV's genome was found in 153 samples (urine or oral fluid). After viral detection, 139/153 were sequenced for viral characterization in order to attempt the current MV genotypes circulating in Italy. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a steady co-circulation of genotypes D4 and D8 during the reviewed period.
Vaccination status was available for 129 out of 211 patients: 104 (80.6%) were unvaccinated, 21 (16.3%) received only one dose of measles-containing vaccine, 4 (3.1%) were vaccinated with two doses (Table 2). Of the 104 unvaccinated cases, 95 were positive and 9 were negative. Of the 21 cases vaccinated with a single dose 12 were positive. All the 4 patients vaccinated with two doses were negative.
CONCLUSIONS
In September 2010, WHO European Region countries renewed their commitment to the elimination of indigenous transmission of measles by 2015. Thanks to continuous efforts by Member States to maintain high vaccination coverage, measles diseases generally showed declining trends. Although, Europe continues to fight measles outbreaks [22, 23].
During 2010, a total of 3011 measles cases, including confirmed, possible and probable cases, were reported in Italy to the enhanced measles surveillance system, with a notification rate of 5.0 per 100 000 population. A total of 1095 cases were classified as confirmed (36.4%). Then, the elimination of indigenous transmission of measles by 2015 remains a major challenge for Italy as well as for the other European countries.
To interrupt the circulation of the virus, in addition to improving vaccination coverage (≥ 95% with two doses of vaccine), public health priorities include strengthened surveillance systems and effective outbreak control. Laboratory measles surveillance is an important tool in measles elimination, since a prompt and accurate laboratory diagnosis is essential for cases detection, outbreak management and ongoing surveillance in countries with low incidence. Moreover, the laboratory surveillance for measles and rubella, including genetic characterization of wild-type viruses, permits to illustrate the progress towards measles elimination by differentiating viruses between indigenous and imported. Major efforts by public health will be needed to meet the target of elimination by 2015, especially regarding the laboratory virological surveillance.
Author's contributions
The project participants all contributed significantly to the results of this study.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the staff at regional and local sanitary agencies for providing clinical specimens. This work was partly supported by a grant from Italian Ministry of Health-CCM 1M27 "Sorveglianza di laboratorio di malattie virali prevenibili da vaccinazioni e rinforzo del Piano di eliminazione del morbillo e della rosolia congenita".
Conflict of interest statement
All named authors have read and agreed to the submitted version of the manuscript, and declare not to have any potential conflict of interests, or any financial or personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately bias conduct and findings of this study.
REFERENCES
1. World Health Organization - Regional Office for Europe. Strategic plan for measles and congenital rubella infection in the European Region of WHO. 2003. Available at: www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/79022/E81567.pdf.
2. World Health Organization. Resolution, renewed commitment to elimination of measles and rubella and prevention of congenital rubella syndrome by 2010 and Sustained support for polio-free status in the WHO European Region. Moscow, Russia: WHO Regional Office for Europe; 2010. Available at: www.euro.who.int.
3. Steffens I, Martin R, Lopalco PL. Spotlight on measles 2010. Measles elimination in Europe - a new commitment to meet the goal by 2015. Euro Surveill 2010;15(50):pii=19749. Available from: www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=19749.
4. World Health Organization. Progress in reducing global measles deaths: global measles and rubella laboratory network-update. Wkly Epidemiol Rec 2006;81:90-4.
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Progress in reducing measles mortality-worldwide, 1999-2003. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2005;54:200-3.
6. Papania MJ, Orenstein WA. Defining and assessing measles elimination goals. J Infect Dis 2004;189 (suppl 1):S23-S26. DOI: 10.1086/381556
7. Rose A. Measles eliminated in Finland since 1996 - will it last? Euro Surveill 2003;7(3):pii=2150. Available from: www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=2150.
8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Elimination of Measles - South Korea, 2001-2006. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2007;56(13);304-7.
9. Kremer JR, Brown KE, Jin L et al. High genetic diversity of measles virus. World Health Organization - European region, 2005-2006. Emerg Infect Dis 2008;14:107-14. DOI: 10.3201/eid1401.070778
10. World Health Organization. Newsletter Measles and Rubella Bulletin, 2007. Available at: http://data.euro.who.int.
11. Lopalco PL, Martin R. Measles still spreads in Europe: who is responsible for the failure to vaccinate? Euro Surveill 2010;15(17):pii=19557.
12. Italia. Conferenza Stato Regioni. Seduta del 13 novembre 2003. Accordo tra il Ministro della salute, le Regioni e le Province Autonome sul documento recante: "Piano nazionale per l'eliminazione del morbillo e della rosolia congenita". Available at: www.ministerosalute.it/imgs/C_17_pubblicazioni_730_allegato.pdf.
13. Filia A, Tavilla A, Bella A, Magurano F, Ansaldi F, Chironna M, et al. Measles in Italy, July 2009 to September 2010. Euro Surveill 2011;16(29):pii=19925.
14. Filia A, Bella A, Rota MC, Tavilla A, Magurano F, Baggieri M, Nicoletti L, Iannazzo S, Pompa MG, Declich S. Analysis of national measles surveillance data in Italy from October 2010 to December 2011 and priorities for reaching the 2015 measles elimination goal. Euro Surveill 2013;18(20):1-7.
15. Magurano F, Fortuna C, Marchi A, Benedetti E, Bucci P, Baggieri M, Nicoletti L. Molecular epidemiology of measles virus in Italy, 2002-2007. Virol J 2012;9:284. DOI: 10.1186/1743-422X-9-284
16. Magurano F, Fortuna C, Baggieri M, Filia A, Benedetti E, Bucci P, Marchi A, Nicoletti L. Molecular epidemiology of measles virus in Italy during 2008. Ann Ist Super Sanità 2013;49(1):50-5. DOI: 10.4415/ANN_13_01_09.
17. Novello F, Ridolfi B, Fiore L, Buttinelli G, Medda E, Favero A, Marchetti D, Gaglioppa F. Comparison of capillary blood versus venous blood samples in the assessment of immunity to measles. J Virol Met 1996;Sep;61(1-2):73-7. DOI: 10.1016/0166-0934(96)02071-X
18. Chibo D, Birch CJ, Rota PA, Catton MG. Molecular characterization of measles viruses isolated in Victoria, Australia, between 1973 and 1998. J Gen Virol 2000; 81(Pt 10):2511-8.
19. Tamura K, Stecher G, Peterson D, Filipski A, Kumar S. MEGA6: Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis version 6.0. Molec Biol Evol 2013;30:2725-9. DOI: 10.1093/molbev/mst197
20. World Health Organization. Expanded programme on immunization ± standardization of the nomenclature for describing the genetic characteristics of wild-type measles viruses. Wkly Epidemiol Rep 1998;73:265-9.
21. World Health Organization. 2001. Nomenclature for describing the genetic characteristics of wild-type measles viruses (update). Part I. Wkly Epidemiol Rec 2001;76:242-7.
22. ECDC surveillance report 2013. Annual epidemiological report. Reporting on 2011 surveillance data and 2012 epidemic intelligence data. Available at: http://ecdc.europa.eu.
23. Parent du Châtelet I, Antona D, Freymuth F, Muscat M, Halftermeyer-Zhou F, Maine C, Floret D, Lévy-Bruhl D. Spotlight on measles 2010. Update on the ongoing measles outbreak in France, 2008-2010. Euro Surveill 2010;15(36):pii=19656.
Correspondence:
Fabio Magurano
Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive
Parassitarie ed Immunomediate
Istituto Superiore di Sanità
Viale Regina Elena 299
00161 Rome, Italy
E-mail: fabio.magurano@iss.it
Received on 31 March 2014
Accepted on 17 September 2014
* These authors contributed equally