[Systemic B-cell response in the mouse after mucosal immunization with measles virus]

The respiratory tract represents both the port of entrance of the measles virus (MV) and an important target tissue for measles complications. Therefore, mucosal immunization could be an attractive alternative to the current subcutaneous route. We studied the virus-specific IgA and IgG antibody response in the serum after intranasal and intragastric immunization with MV in the mouse model under non-replicating conditions. Hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies, mostly without virus-neutralizing activity were found after intranasal immunization. No virus-specific antibodies were detected after intragastric immunization.