Measles makes the defense forgetful

An infection with the measles virus causes a loss of memory of the immune system. The virus kills immune system memory cells, which gives more chances to all kinds of other infections. This is demonstrated by a study conducted by Erasmus TM virologists in Rotterdam and published last week in the scientific journal Nature Communications . According to epidemiological studies previously published on the same group (published in the review BMJ Open ), it appeared that other children were already infected with measles.

The measles virus, cells of the memory of the immune system is already known through research on animals, including in monkeys. But if the infection also continues in humans, it was not yet clear. For researchers in Rotterdam, a unique opportunity was presented in 2013 to prove it, while a major epidemic of measles was occurring in the Netherlands among experimental Reformed children. This population group is not vaccinated for religious reasons and was therefore susceptible to the measles virus, which is highly contagious and spreads through the air.

Spots on Skin and Tongue

Virologists examined the blood of 26 unvaccinated children who reported with measles complaints – fever, cough, sore throat, and spots on the skin and tongue. Of the 23 children in the laboratory, it was actually confirmed that they were infected with measles. At the beginning of the infection (even before the appearance of pimples on the skin), the researchers found a significant decrease in the number of white blood cells in the blood: a sign of considerable suppression of the immune system. This contributes significantly to measles mortality in developing countries, 85,000 deaths per year.

Up to two years after measles, children had more other infections from a larger epidemiological study. For example, in the first month after measles, they were prescribed antibiotics three times more often. Known and potentially dangerous complications of measles are infections of the lungs and ears.

Researchers point out that measles is not an innocent childhood disease. The infection damages the immune system and the respiratory tract so that even after the first healing of the disease, the defenses of the victim remain weakened.

Vaccination is important

Vaccination against measles therefore protects against more than this disease. , and is therefore important, say the researchers. As part of the national immunization program, in the Netherlands, children are vaccinated twice against measles (in combination with mumps and rubella) at the age of fourteen months and nine years. At the national level, the vaccination rate exceeds 95%, but in some municipalities it is less than 90%. The risk of a measles epidemic is therefore high. These municipalities form a diagonal line across the Netherlands, a region where many strictly Protestant believers live. It is no coincidence that the major epidemic of 2013 has occurred in this region, with more than 2,300 cases. During this outbreak, over 180 patients with measles were admitted to the hospital and a 17-year-old adolescent died.