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Detection of measles virus genome in bone-marrow aspirates from adults
Satomi Sonoda1,2, Mitsuo Kitahara3, Tetsuo Nakayama1
1Laboratory of Viral Infection, Kitasato Institute for Life Sciences, Shirokane 5-9-1, Minato-ku Tokyo 108-8641, Japan3.
Abstract:
We investigated the presence of the measles virus genome in order to identify asymptomatic infections in the adult population. Bone-marrow aspirates were obtained from 179 patients, 20-96 years of age, for the diagnosis of malignant diseases (29 with malignant lymphoma, 28 with acute leukaemia, 21 with myelodysplastic syndrome, five with multiple myeloma and 96 with other diseases). The measles virus genome was detected in 17 (9.5%) of 179 individuals by RT-PCR and 28 (15.6%) through hybridization. The genomes detected in bone marrow were all in the same cluster, D5, the strain circulating during the study period, and no evidence of persistent infection was obtained. We conclude that asymptomatic infections of measles virus are common in adults and the presence of the measles virus genome would not be related to the pathogenesis of illness.
Insights
Asymptomatic measles virus infections are common in adults, with the virus genome detected in bone marrow samples. This presence is unlikely to be linked to the development of illness.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Hematology
Background:
- Measles virus (MeV) is a highly contagious viral pathogen.
- Asymptomatic infections can contribute to disease transmission and persistence.
- Understanding MeV presence in non-respiratory sites is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of measles virus genome in adult bone marrow.
- To determine if asymptomatic MeV infections are detectable in this population.
Main Methods:
- Bone marrow aspirates from 179 adult patients (ages 20-96) were analyzed.
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and hybridization techniques were employed.
- Detection of measles virus genome was performed.
Main Results:
- The measles virus genome was detected in 9.5% of individuals by RT-PCR and 15.6% by hybridization.
- All detected genomes belonged to the D5 cluster, the prevalent strain during the study.
- No evidence of persistent measles virus infection was found.
Conclusions:
- Asymptomatic measles virus infections are common in the adult population.
- The presence of the measles virus genome in bone marrow is not associated with disease pathogenesis.
- Further research may explore the implications of MeV genome presence in various tissues.