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Measles vaccination and antibody response in autism spectrum disorders

G Baird1, A Pickles, E Simonoff

  • 1Newcomen Centre for Child Development, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. gillian.baird@gstt.nhs.uk

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|February 7, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study found no link between measles vaccination and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Researchers found no evidence of persistent measles infection or abnormal immune responses in vaccinated children with ASD compared to controls.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Concerns persist regarding a potential link between measles vaccination and autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
  • Investigating persistent measles virus infection or immune responses in vaccinated children with ASD is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis that measles vaccination contributes to the pathogenesis of ASD.
  • To compare measles virus presence and antibody responses in vaccinated children with ASD versus control groups.

Main Methods:

  • A community-based, case-control study involving 98 children with ASD and 142 controls (aged 10-12 years) in the UK.
  • Serum samples were analyzed for measles virus nucleic acid and measles-specific antibody titers.
  • Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect measles virus RNA.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in measles antibody response were observed between children with ASD and control groups.
  • Measles virus RNA was detected in a small number of children in both ASD and control groups, with no differential pattern.
  • No association was found between measles vaccination (one or two doses of MMR) and ASD, even in children with regression.

Conclusions:

  • The study provides no evidence to support an association between measles vaccination and the development of autism spectrum disorders.
  • Findings do not indicate a role for persistent measles infection or altered immune responses following vaccination in ASD pathogenesis.

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