Related Experiment Videos
Postmortem detection of measles virus in non-neural tissues in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis
H R Brown1, N L Goller, R D Rudelli
1New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, Institute for Basic Research, Staten Island 10314.
Abstract:
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a rare, progressive, fatal central nervous system disease of children, is caused by measles virus. Clinical signs occur months to several years after recovery from acute measles infection. It is not known where the virus persists while the disease is inapparent. Involvement of organs outside the central nervous system has rarely been documented. To search for possible peripheral reservoirs of measles virus we used in situ hybridization to probe for measles virus RNA and immunocytochemical studies to localize measles virus antigens ina variety of organs taken at autopsy from confirmed cases of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. Seven of 9 cadavers were found to contain measles virus RNA or antigens, or both, in at least one location outside the central nervous system. These sites included lymphoid organs such as thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, and tonsil, suggesting a role for lymphocytes in disease pathogenesis. Virus was also detected in kidney, lung, and glandular tissues such as pancreas, adrenal, and pituitary. These reservoirs may provide the antigenic stimulus leading to the elevated response characteristic for subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.
Insights
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a fatal childhood disease caused by the measles virus. This study found measles virus RNA and antigens in organs outside the central nervous system, suggesting peripheral reservoirs.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Neurology
- Pathology
Background:
- Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a rare, progressive, fatal neurological disease in children.
- It is caused by the measles virus, with clinical signs appearing months to years after acute measles infection.
- The location of persistent measles virus during the inapparent phase and potential peripheral reservoirs remain largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential peripheral reservoirs of measles virus in patients with SSPE.
- To identify organs outside the central nervous system where the virus may persist.
Main Methods:
- Utilized in situ hybridization to detect measles virus RNA.
- Employed immunocytochemical studies to localize measles virus antigens.
- Examined a variety of organs from autopsied SSPE cases.
Main Results:
- Measles virus RNA or antigens were detected in 7 out of 9 SSPE cases outside the central nervous system.
- Infected peripheral sites included lymphoid organs (thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, tonsil), kidneys, lungs, and glandular tissues (pancreas, adrenal, pituitary).
- Lymphoid organs suggest a role for lymphocytes in SSPE pathogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Peripheral organs, particularly lymphoid tissues, can serve as reservoirs for the measles virus in SSPE.
- These reservoirs may contribute to the characteristic immune response observed in SSPE.
- Identifying these reservoirs is crucial for understanding SSPE pathogenesis.