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Protection by measles vaccine also attacks other infectious diseases
The measles vaccine not only protects against measles, but also against other infectious diseases. This was the finding of US researchers at Princeton University. In their study, they analyzed child mortality data before and after the vaccine was introduced. The significant decline in the death rate is not attributable solely to the prevention of measles infections, write the researchers in the journal "Science". Accordingly, the measles virus weakens the immune system for a long time after the onset of the disease, so that those affected become more susceptible to other infections.
Measles weaken the immune system long after a disease has passed through
With the introduction of measles vaccination around 50 years ago, child mortality declined significantly. Even experts are surprised at the extent of the decline. Only by preventing measles infections they could not explain this.
As the research team around Michael Mina reports, studies have shown that the immune system is weakened in the long term by the measles virus. It is possible that the lymphocytes, important immune cells, relied on the control of measles, but they were lacking to ward off other pathogens. It comes to a kind of "immune amnesia", so that those affected would become more susceptible to other diseases, the researchers write.
A comparison of health data from England, Wales, Denmark and the US before and after the introduction of the measles vaccine showed that this effect can actually be detected in the population. According to the researchers, the mortality from other infections is increased about two to three years after undergoing measles disease. Consequently, measles vaccination not only leads to herd immunity to the measles virus, but also to other pathogens. Herd immunity means that a disease can not spread in the population, because many people are immune to it, such as due to high vaccination rate.
Measles vaccine can be life-saving
"We already knew that measles attack immune memory and become immunosuppressive for a short time. But this study suggests that immunosuppression takes much longer than previously thought, "explains Jessica C. Metcalf, co-author of the study, in a statement from Princeton University. "In other words, if you get measles, you can die from something you would not have died of for three years if you did not get measles."
The measles vaccine could therefore have a much greater benefit than previously thought. "Our findings suggest that measles vaccines bring benefits that go far beyond measles protection," said Mina, who led the study. "It's one of the most cost-effective global health measures."
Measles are worldwide and highly contagious. Transmission of the virus can already take place when a sick person coughs or sneezes nearby. After about ten days first symptoms appear. Most sufferers suffer from fever, cough and runny nose. In addition, conjunctivitis may occur on the eye. In the further course of the disease, the typical red-brown spots appear on the skin. As a rule, the symptoms lessen after one to one and a half weeks. In rare cases, complications such as pneumonia diarrhea or encephalitis may occur.
1,200 measles cases in Berlin
In Berlin, new cases continue to be reported. Since October 2014, around 1,200 measles cases have been recorded. However, as the State Office for Health and Social Affairs announced at the beginning of the week, there was a decline. From an end of the outbreak could not be spoken yet. About one in four sufferers must be treated in the hospital. One boy already died of measles.
The World Health Organization's (WHO) goal of eradicating measles worldwide by 2020 does not seem to be achieved. Because for a immunity of the population of at least 95 percent would be necessary. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), however, little progress has been made in Germany for years, so that there are always regional outbreaks. (Ag)