Guest
June 20, 2000
Measles Persistence Confirmed with Autistic Enterocolitis
Measles Persistence Confirmed in Some IBD, Autistic Enterocolitis Patients
Japanese and UK-based scientists have detected measles virus sequences
in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with Crohn's
disease, ulcerative colitis and autistic enterocolitis - the recently
described syndrome purportedly associated with measles-mumps-rubella
vaccination.
Dr. Hisashi Kawashima from Tokyo Medical University and colleagues
there and in London explain that previous studies have suggested that
measles virus may be present in the intestine of Crohn's disease patients.
They also allude to the reported association between measles-mumps-rubella
(MMR) vaccination and some cases of autistic enterocolitis, a syndrome of
gastrointestinal symptoms and developmental regression in children leading
to autism. Numerous other reports, however, have discounted that
association.
In the present study, the authors examined PBMCs from patients with
these disorders, in order to determine whether any detected measles viruses
were derived from wild-type or vaccine strains.
The study team reports in the April issue of Digestive Diseases and
Sciences, that "one of eight patients with Crohn's disease, one of three
patients with ulcerative colitis and three of nine patents with autism, were
positive [for measles virus sequences]." In contrast, measles virus was not
detected in any control patients.
According to the paper, measles sequences isolated from Crohn's
patients were characteristic of wild-type strains, whereas those from
patients with ulcerative colitis and autism had characteristics of vaccine
strains. The study investigators note that these "results were concordant
with the exposure history of patients."
In an interview with Reuters Health, Dr. Kawashima said that "because
measles vaccine and sporadic strains were detected in several immunologic
diseases, the implications of our study are uncertain." He added that
"whilst the detection of measles viruses in Crohn's disease are not
important, if further cases of autistic enterocolitis are detected after MMR
vaccination, our study will be very significant."
At an April hearing of the House Government Reform Committee, the
National Network for Immunization Information stated that there is no
scientific evidence to suggest that autism is associated with childhood
vaccination. Dig Dis Sci 2000;45:723-729.
Measles Persistence Confirmed with Autistic Enterocolitis
Measles Persistence Confirmed in Some IBD, Autistic Enterocolitis Patients
Japanese and UK-based scientists have detected measles virus sequences
in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with Crohn's
disease, ulcerative colitis and autistic enterocolitis - the recently
described syndrome purportedly associated with measles-mumps-rubella
vaccination.
Dr. Hisashi Kawashima from Tokyo Medical University and colleagues
there and in London explain that previous studies have suggested that
measles virus may be present in the intestine of Crohn's disease patients.
They also allude to the reported association between measles-mumps-rubella
(MMR) vaccination and some cases of autistic enterocolitis, a syndrome of
gastrointestinal symptoms and developmental regression in children leading
to autism. Numerous other reports, however, have discounted that
association.
In the present study, the authors examined PBMCs from patients with
these disorders, in order to determine whether any detected measles viruses
were derived from wild-type or vaccine strains.
The study team reports in the April issue of Digestive Diseases and
Sciences, that "one of eight patients with Crohn's disease, one of three
patients with ulcerative colitis and three of nine patents with autism, were
positive [for measles virus sequences]." In contrast, measles virus was not
detected in any control patients.
According to the paper, measles sequences isolated from Crohn's
patients were characteristic of wild-type strains, whereas those from
patients with ulcerative colitis and autism had characteristics of vaccine
strains. The study investigators note that these "results were concordant
with the exposure history of patients."
In an interview with Reuters Health, Dr. Kawashima said that "because
measles vaccine and sporadic strains were detected in several immunologic
diseases, the implications of our study are uncertain." He added that
"whilst the detection of measles viruses in Crohn's disease are not
important, if further cases of autistic enterocolitis are detected after MMR
vaccination, our study will be very significant."
At an April hearing of the House Government Reform Committee, the
National Network for Immunization Information stated that there is no
scientific evidence to suggest that autism is associated with childhood
vaccination. Dig Dis Sci 2000;45:723-729.