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Measles virus nucleotide sequences: detection by hybridization in situ
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|May 8, 1981
Summary
A new in situ hybridization method detects measles virus in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and multiple sclerosis tissues. This technique reveals covert measles virus infections, suggesting a potential role for viruses in multiple sclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a severe neurological complication of measles virus infection.
- The role of measles virus in multiple sclerosis (MS) remains debated, with conventional methods often failing to detect the virus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and apply a sensitive in situ hybridization technique for detecting measles virus nucleotide sequences.
- To investigate the presence of measles virus in brain tissues from patients with SSPE and MS.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a tritium-labeled probe for in situ hybridization to detect measles virus RNA.
- Analyzed infected cell cultures, SSPE brain tissue sections, and MS brain tissue sections.
Main Results:
- Measles virus genome was detected in numerous cells in SSPE samples, surpassing the sensitivity of immunofluorescence.
- Measles virus sequences were identified in two distinct foci within the brain tissue of one out of four MS patients.
Conclusions:
- The refined in situ hybridization method is effective for identifying covert viral infections.
- The findings provide evidence supporting a potential viral etiology, specifically measles virus, in some cases of multiple sclerosis.