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Detection of measles virus nucleoprotein mRNA in autopsied brain tissues
Y Katayama1, H Hotta, A Nishimura
1Department of Microbiology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Hyogo, Japan.
Abstract:
By means of RT-PCR, a portion of measles virus (MV) mRNA encoding nucleoprotein (NP) could be detected in 11 (18%) of 61 brain tissue samples obtained from administrative autopsy cases, who apparently had not suffered from subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE)-like central nervous system disorders. Most of the brain-derived NP sequences showed significant asynonymous nucleotide substitutions when compared with wild-type MV isolates and SSPE virus. Our present results suggest that MV commonly persists in the human brain without causing apparent clinical symptoms, probably due to decreased virus replication.
Insights
Measles virus (MV) RNA was found in the brains of 18% of individuals without neurological symptoms. Detected MV sequences had mutations, suggesting persistent, low-replication infections in the human brain.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Measles virus (MV) is a highly contagious pathogen that can cause acute illness.
- Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a rare, fatal neurological complication of measles infection.
- The persistence of measles virus in the central nervous system without overt disease is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of measles virus (MV) persistent infection in the human brain.
- To analyze the genetic characteristics of detected MV sequences in brain tissue.
- To explore the potential mechanisms behind asymptomatic MV persistence in the central nervous system.
Main Methods:
- Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect measles virus (MV) nucleoprotein (NP) mRNA in brain tissue samples.
- Nucleotide sequences of detected MV NP genes were analyzed for genetic variations.
- Comparison of brain-derived MV sequences with wild-type MV and SSPE virus isolates.
Main Results:
- Measles virus (MV) mRNA was detected in 11 out of 61 (18%) brain tissue samples from individuals without SSPE-like symptoms.
- The majority of detected MV nucleoprotein (NP) sequences exhibited significant asynonymous nucleotide substitutions compared to wild-type MV and SSPE virus.
- These findings indicate the presence of genetically distinct MV strains persisting in the brain.
Conclusions:
- Measles virus (MV) can persist asymptomatically in the human brain.
- The detected MV strains in the brain show genetic divergence from typical wild-type and SSPE strains.
- Reduced viral replication may be a key factor in the asymptomatic persistence of MV in the central nervous system.