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Absence of measles viral genomic sequence in intestinal tissues from Crohn's disease by nested polymerase chain
1First Department of Internal Medicine, Hirosaki University School of Medicine, Japan.
Abstract:
The aetiology of Crohn's disease remains unknown, although evidence for a viral cause has long been sought. Recent studies have shown inflammation of the submucosal microvascular endothelium and granulomata, and endothelial cell cytoplasmic inclusions, consistent with paramyxovirus, were identified by electron microscopy suggesting a persistent measles virus infection in Crohn's disease. Measles, mumps, and rubella viruses were tested for Crohn's disease by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RNA was extracted from resected intestinal specimens from 15 patients with Crohn's disease, 14 with ulcerative colitis, and 14 controls without inflammatory bowel disease. This was used to perform nested PCR after reverse transcription (RT) of the RNA to cDNA with primer pairs directed against two regions in the genome of the measles virus and one region in the mumps and rubella viral genomes. Despite enhanced sensitivity of nested RT-PCR, measles, mumps, and rubella viral genomic sequences were not found in any intestinal specimen.
Insights
This study investigated a potential viral cause for Crohn's disease (CD). Despite electron microscopy suggesting a link to measles virus, sensitive PCR tests found no evidence of measles, mumps, or rubella in patient intestinal samples.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The etiology of Crohn's disease (CD) is unknown, with prior research suggesting a possible viral link.
- Electron microscopy identified inclusions consistent with paramyxovirus in CD patients, hinting at a persistent measles virus infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of measles, mumps, and rubella viruses in intestinal specimens from patients with Crohn's disease.
Main Methods:
- Nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to detect viral genomic sequences.
- RNA was extracted from intestinal tissue of 15 CD patients, 14 ulcerative colitis patients, and 14 controls.
- Primers targeted specific regions of the measles, mumps, and rubella viral genomes.
Main Results:
- No measles, mumps, or rubella viral genomic sequences were detected in any of the tested intestinal specimens.
- The highly sensitive nested RT-PCR assay did not identify evidence of these viruses in Crohn's disease patients.
Conclusions:
- This study found no evidence to support a role for measles, mumps, or rubella viruses in the etiology of Crohn's disease.
- The findings do not corroborate the hypothesis of a persistent paramyxovirus infection in Crohn's disease.
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