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Measles vaccination does not prevent multiple sclerosis
S Bansil1, R Troiano, P C Dowling
1Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Newark, N.J.
Abstract:
Twenty-seven young patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) were studied to determine if they had received prior measles vaccination. Fourteen patients whose immunization records were available had received measles vaccine in childhood. Eight other patients gave a history of receiving measles vaccine. These results suggest that infection by measles virus is probably not the sole cause of MS and that, unlike subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and postmeasles encephalitis, MS may not be preventable by measles vaccination given at an appropriate age.
Insights
Measles vaccination in childhood did not appear to prevent multiple sclerosis (MS) in a study of young patients. This suggests measles virus infection alone may not cause MS, and vaccination might not prevent it.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease.
- The potential link between measles virus infection and MS is under investigation.
- Measles vaccination is known to prevent other neurological complications like SSPE.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the history of measles vaccination in young patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
- To explore the relationship between prior measles exposure and the development of MS.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 27 young patients with MS.
- Review of immunization records for measles vaccination history.
- Patient history collection for reported measles vaccination.
Main Results:
- Of 14 patients with available records, all received childhood measles vaccination.
- An additional 8 patients reported a history of measles vaccination.
- A significant proportion of young MS patients had received the measles vaccine.
Conclusions:
- Measles virus infection is unlikely to be the sole cause of multiple sclerosis.
- Unlike SSPE and post-measles encephalitis, MS may not be preventable through timely measles vaccination.