Isolation of Nigerian strains of measles virus

We have recently succeeded in isolating two measles viruses, Ibn H13153 and Ibn H13154 from the peripheral lymphocytes of two unvaccinated 9 and 12 month old outpatient children at the Institute of Child Health, University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria. The viruses have undergone six serial passages in B95a and Vero cell lines where characteristic measles cytopathic effects (CPE) have been noticed. The viruses have been confirmed to be measles by Haemagglutination Inhibition (HI) test and the Indirect Immunofluorescent antibody Test (IFT). Both isolates agglutinated 0.75% monkey rbc. The HA titres were 1:40 and 1:80 respectively. Antigens from the known positive Edmonston strain and uninoculated Vero cell line gave an HA titre of 1:160 and 1:0 respectively. Further characterisation with respect to the polypeptide and DNA components is under way.