MEASLES DISEASE
Conditions
Keywords
measles, immune response
Brief summary
Measles is caused by measles virus (MeV). The disease is associated with lymphopenia and immune suppression, which is an important cause of measles-associated morbidity and mortality. Measles-induced immune suppression can last several years, whereas measles lymphopenia is usually resolved within two weeks. At the same time, measles induces lifelong immunity. This apparent contradiction, known as the 'measles paradox', was partially solved when investigators demonstrated that MeV infects and depletes pre-existing memory cells, thereby causing 'immune amnesia'. This model is supported by observations in animal models and clinical studies, but several questions remain to be addressed, like the duration of measles-induced amnesia and changes in the immune repertoire after measles. to address the immunological questions regarding MeV infection.
Detailed description
Measles is caused by measles virus (MeV). The disease is associated with lymphopenia and immune suppression, which is an important cause of measles-associated morbidity and mortality. Measles-induced immune suppression can last several years, whereas measles lymphopenia is usually resolved within two weeks. At the same time, measles induces lifelong immunity. This apparent contradiction, known as the 'measles paradox', was partially solved when investigators demonstrated that MeV infects and depletes pre-existing memory cells, thereby causing 'immune amnesia'. This model is supported by observations in animal models and clinical studies, but several questions remain to be addressed, like the duration of measles-induced amnesia and changes in the immune repertoire after measles. Recently, investigators have acquired permission to address these remaining questions in 18-25 years old adults (MEC-2024-0230). However, investigators have reservations about the feasibility of including enough participants between 18 and 25 years old that have not been vaccinated against or infected with MeV; it is possible that investigators will not reach sufficient inclusions to address the immunological questions regarding MeV infection in that protocol. Therefore, investigators propose to additionally study these questions in children in the age of 4 up to and including 17.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Erasmus Medical Center
Study design
Observational model
CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
4 Years to 17 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Group A * Aged 4 - 17 years old * Susceptible to measles * No pre-existing immunity against measles (vaccination or earlier infection) Group B * Aged 4 - 17 years old * Protected against measles due to vaccination or earlier infection
Exclusion criteria
A potential subject who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study: * Diagnosed chronic disease that lasted over 3 months * Immune suppression (due to medication or underlying disease) * Group A; Detectable MeV-antibodies in the T1 blood sample
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Compare measles-induced loss of pathogen-specific antibodies | 36 months | The investigators will measure changes in the immune repertoire using longitudinal samples obtained from children who are infected with MeV. To this end, they will measure pathogen-specific antibody responses (titers) pre- and post-measles and compare these to determine whether measles led to a loss of pathogen-specific antibodies. |
| Compare measles-induced loss of pathogen-specific T-cells | 36 months | The investigators will measure changes in the immune repertoire using longitudinal samples obtained from children who are infected with MeV. To this end, they will measure pathogen-specific T-cell responses (frequencies) pre- and post-measles and compare these to determine whether measles led to a loss of pathogen-specific T-cells. |
Countries
Netherlands
Contacts
Primary ContactDr C.H. Geurts van Kessel
Outcome results
None listed