New Variant of Measles Identified in Italy Impacts Diagnosis Tests
A new and less reliable variant of measles has been identified in Italy, affecting molecular tests for diagnosis. Since January 2024, five cases of the measles variant, classified as genotype D8, have been confirmed in the city of Milan. These cases are considered sporadic as no clear epidemiological link has been found between them.
Three out of the five confirmed cases had a recent history of travel to Uzbekistan, Thailand, and southern Italy. According to researchers at the University of Milan and the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, two of the cases were infected with MeV strains characterized by three mutations previously described by Swiss researchers. These mutations occurred in a specific portion of the nucleoprotein, which is the target of rapid tests commonly used by surveillance laboratories. As a result, the tests are less sensitive to this new variant of measles.
The researchers stress the importance of updating tests promptly to detect all currently circulating MeV strains, as this variant is spreading. They recommend vigilance and prompt action in response to this new development in measles diagnosis.
This discovery highlights the need for ongoing surveillance and vigilance in the face of evolving infectious diseases. The impact of this new variant of measles on diagnosis and testing procedures highlights the importance of continued research and updates to public health measures.