Molecular biology, pathogenesis and pathology of mumps virus

Abstract

Mumps is caused by the mumps virus (MuV), a member of the Paramyxoviridae family of enveloped, non-segmented, negative-sense RNA viruses. Mumps is characterized by painful inflammatory symptoms, such as parotitis and orchitis. The virus is highly neurotropic, with laboratory evidence of central nervous system (CNS) infection in approximately half of cases. Symptomatic CNS infection occurs less frequently; nonetheless, prior to the introduction of routine vaccination, MuV was a leading cause of aseptic meningitis and viral encephalitis in many developed countries. Despite being one of the oldest recognized diseases, with a worldwide distribution, surprisingly little attention has been given to its study. Cases of aseptic meningitis associated with some vaccine strains and a global resurgence of cases, including in highly vaccinated populations, has renewed interest in the virus, particularly in its pathogenesis and the need for development of clinically relevant models of disease. In this review we summarize the current state of knowledge on the virus, its pathogenesis and its clinical and pathological outcomes.

Mumps Virus SH Protein Inhibits NF-κB Activation by Interacting with Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 1, Interleukin-1 Receptor 1, and Toll-Like Receptor 3 Complexes

“…We used Vero76 cells, since this cell line is routinely used for MuV propagation, and also A549 cells, because epithelial cells are assumed to be a primary target for MuV in vivo (2). Syncytium formation was similar for all viruses at all time points (data not shown).…”

“…MuV is highly neurotropic with involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) in half of all cases, where it can induce aseptic meningitis or encephalitis. Other complications include orchitis, oophoritis, pancreatitis, and deafness (2). Mumps is a vaccine-preventable disease, and worldwide vaccination campaigns have led to a considerable reduction of incidence (3)(4)(5).…”

Mumps virus pathogenesis: Insights and knowledge gaps

“…27,28 Mumps virus shedding in urine is caused by dissemination of mumps virus to the kidneys and is associated with abnormal renal function. 11,29 The hypothesis that orchitis is caused by an immune mediated reaction is strengthened by the relatively rapid development of orchitis after MMR vaccination as was reported for 2 persons who had been exposed to mumps in the past. 26 Arguing against immune-mediated pathogenesis is the clear protection provided through vaccination.…”

“…10 Much of our current understanding of mumps virus pathogenesis is based on hamster and monkey models, but the unnatural routes of inoculation and the inability to distinguish attenuated mumps virus strains from wild-type strains makes the relevance of these findings questionable. 11,12 One study with marmosets shows that intravenous inoculation with a clinical mumps virus isolate induces meningitis, whereas another study in which rhesus macaques were infected via the natural route with a clinical mumps virus isolate shows that these animals develop parotitis but no fever or neurological symptoms. 10,12 Although these findings suggest that monkeys might be a candidate model for mumps virus pathogenesis studies, the costs and ethical considerations limit the applicability of this model for mumps.…”

“…30,31 The dissemination of mumps virus needs further study, as the virus has only been sporadically detected in blood during infection. 11,27,32 It has been suggested that mumps virus targets T cells, because the virus has a high affinity for T cells and efficiently replicates in these cells. 17 Migrating mumps virus-infected T cells could facilitate spread from the respiratory tract to other sites of the body and might therefore play an important role in disease pathogenesis.…”