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Association of measles virus with rheumatoid arthritis

Barbara J Rosenau1, Peter H Schur

  • 1Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.

The Journal of Rheumatology
|May 14, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Measles virus was identified in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) tissues and synovial fluid. This study found an association between measles virus and RA, suggesting a potential infectious trigger for this chronic inflammatory disease.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Rheumatology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory polyarthritis of unknown etiology.
  • Infectious agents have been long suspected as potential triggers for RA.
  • Previous attempts to isolate infectious agents from RA patients have been unsuccessful.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify a potential viral agent in diseased tissue from a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.
  • To investigate the association between measles virus and RA.

Main Methods:

  • Inoculation of diseased RA tissue and synovial fluid into cell lines.
  • Observation for cytopathic effects and virus identification.
  • Confirmation of measles virus using immunofluorescence and neutralization.
  • Serological testing for IgM antibodies to measles virus in RF-negative RA patients.

Main Results:

  • Measles virus was identified in multiple cell lines inoculated with RA tissue and synovial fluid.
  • Measles virus was confirmed by immunofluorescence and neutralization assays.
  • Twenty-two percent of RF-negative RA patients' sera showed IgM antibodies to measles virus.

Conclusions:

  • An association between measles virus and rheumatoid arthritis was identified.
  • Measles virus is a potential candidate infectious agent implicated in the pathogenesis of RA.

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