Molecular Epidemiology Of Measles Virus In Ghana

Abstract

Background: Measles (Rubeola) remains one of the leading causes of death among children under the age of 5 years globally, and Ghana is no exception. Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine approximately, 134, 200 people died from measles in 2015 globally.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology and genetic diversity of measles virus in Ghana.

Materials and Methods: This study was a cross sectional study using archived samples stored at the National Public Health and Reference Laboratory. Archived samples of acute measles infection cases as determined by the presence of measles specific IgM in sera confirmed at the National Public Health and Reference Laboratory was analyzed by genotyping and sequencing. Epi Info was used to analyze data generated and Chi-square was performed to compare any difference in variables such as age, date of specimen collection, district, and region of origin.

Results:

From 2014-2016, a total of 183 archived laboratory confirmed measles positive serum samples were analyzed and of these, 95 were males (51.9%) and 88 (48.1%) were females. The age ranged from 2 months to 43 years. The median age was 1year and the mean age was 5.6 years. Of the positive cases that had vaccinated status (50 cases), majority were in the age group 9-17 months (66%) followed by 18 months-5 years (18%). The vaccinated age group was 10-13 years (6%).

The phylogenetic tree obtained from sequences from the Ghanaian strain after genotyping and DNA sequencing (MeV-M072/19), belongs to the B3 genotype cluster.

Conclusion

The study confirms the presence of the endemic sub-Saharan genotype (B3) in Ghana. The phylogenetic tree presented showed that sequences from the Ghanaian strain (MeV-M072/19) belongs to the B3 genotype cluster as confirmed by the presence of Ibadan.NGE/0.97, one of the reference sequences for genotype B3.