Genotypic features of circulating mumps viruses and etiological diagnosis of mumps virus infection in the context of mass vaccination

Cherkasova P.V., Mikheeva M.A., Hudyakova V.S., Alekseeva L.A., Bessonova T.V., Vilnits A.A., Eismont Y.A., Rogozina N.V., Bekhtereva M.K., Kharit S.M., Goleva O.V.

Federal Scientific and Clinical Center for Infectious Diseases of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, Saint Petersburg, Russia

The review summarizes current research on the mumps virus and methods for specific diagnosis of mumps virus infection in the context of mass vaccination. Mumps is an acute viral infection that occurs worldwide and spreads via respiratory droplets. Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment that directly targets the virus. Preventing the disease remains a challenge. Despite high vaccination coverage, certain groups remain at risk of infection, particularly young people. This may be due to declining levels of protective neutralising antibodies and/or changes in the currently circulating virus strains. These factors suggest that existing immunisation schedules may need to be reviewed, taking up-to-date data on virus circulation into account. In Russia, PCR methods allow for reliable diagnosis of mumps. However, test systems capable of identifying specific mumps strains and supporting epidemiological surveillance, including assessment of vaccination programme effectiveness, are gaining particular importance.