Parotiditis in Chile: clinical and molecular characterization of two cases in a highly vaccinated population

Abstract

Mumps virus usually produces a benign infection characterized by increased parotid volume which, prior to vaccination, mainly affected children and adolescents. After the introduction of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, mumps incidence decreased dramatically. This intervention also produced a change in its clinical presentation, moving to young adult patients, with an increased risk of complications. We report two clinical mumps cases in young adults with different clinical presentations. In both cases, serologic assays were assessed and, in one case, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed in order to confirm the diagnosis. The isolated virus was characterized and identifed as G genotype, the same genotype observed during outbreaks in United States and Europe, and different to the vaccinal strain. Mumps virus is currently circulating in Chile and it is important to be aware of possible outbreaks. Viral diagnosis can be difficult, particularly in populations with high vaccination coverage. Therefore, the access to etiologic study through PCR and serology becomes more relevant in order to optimize clinical management and secondary prevention measures.