Summary
Leukocyte cultures from 10 measles cases were tested by immunofluorescence for the presence of measles virus antigen. The antigen was not detected in the cells before culture but became demonstrable in cells from 9 of the patients after PHA stimulation. Antigen was detected on the surface membrane of 2 to 30 per cent of blast cells, and all giant cells when present. Antigen was also demonstrable in the cytoplasm but not the nucleus of giant cells and blast cells. Unstimulated leukocyte cultures from the measles patients were negative. PHA-stimulated and unstimulated cultures from healthy blood donors were also negative. It was concluded that some circulating lymphoid cells of measles patients carry measles virus and that virus replication proceeded more rapidly in the transformed (proliferating) lymphocytes than in resting ones. The relevance of these observations to the severity of measles in certain communities, and to the immunosuppressive effects of measles is discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Berg, R. B., andM. S. Rosenthal: Propagation of measles virus in suspensions of human and monkey leukocytes. Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. (N.Y.)106, 581 (1961).
Brody, J. A., andR. McAlister: Depression of tuberculin sensitivity following measles vaccination. Amer. Rev. Tuberc.3, 166 (1964).
Gresser, I., andC. Chany: Isolation of measles virus from the washed leukocyte fraction of blood. Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. (N.Y.)113, 695 (1963).
Gripenberg, U.: Chromosomal abberations associated with virus infections in man. Genetics Today, Proc. 11th Int. Congr. Genet., Hague1, 311 (1963).
Hathaway, B. M.: Generalyzed dissemination of giant cells in lymphoid tissues in prodromal stage of measles. Arch. Path.19, 819 (1935).
Hendrickse, R. G.: Tropical pediatrics. Practitioner193, 146 (1964).
Heneen, W. K.: Polykaryocytosis and mitosis in a human cell line after treatment with measles virus. Hereditas64, 53 (1970).
McGregor, I. A.: Measles and child mortality in the Gambia. W. Afr. med. J.13, 251 (1964).
Mellman, W. J., andR. Wetton: Depression of the tuberculin reaction by attenuated measles virus vaccine. J. Lab. clin. Med.61, 453 (1963).
Morley, D. C.: The severe measles of West Africa. W. Afr. med. J.13, 251 (1964).
Morley, D. C., M. Woodland, andW. J. Martin: Measles in Nigerian children. J. Hyg. (Lond.)61, 115 (1963).
Nichols, W. W., A. Levan, P. Aula, andE. Norrby: Chromosomal damage associated with the measles virusin vitro. Hereditas54, 101 (1965).
Nii, S., J. Kamahora, Y. Mori, M. Takahashi, S. Nishimura, andY. Okuno: Experimental pathology of measles in monkeys. Biken J.6, 271–297 (1964).
Ono, K., N. Iwa, S. Kato, andT. Konobe: Demonstration of viral antigen in giant cells formed in monkeys experimentally infected with measles virus. Biken J.13, 329 (1970).
Osunkoya, B. O., A. B. O. Oyediran, andA. Cooke: Multinucleated giant cells in PHA-stimulated leukocyte cultures of children with measles. Immunology25, 737 (1973).
Osunkoya, B. O., andA. I. O. Williams: Precipitation of serum proteins by phyto-haemagglutinin. Clin. exp. Immunol.8, 205 (1971).
Osunkoya, B. O., A. I. O. Williams, W. H. Adler, andR. T. Smith: Studies on the interaction of phytomitogens with lymphoid cells. I. Binding of PHA to cell membrane receptors of cultured Burkitt's lymphoma and infectious mononucleosis cells. Afr. J. med. Sci.1, 3 (1970).
Pirquet, C. von: Das Verhalten der kutanen Tuberkulinreaktion während der Masern. Dtsch. med. Wschr.34, 1297 (1908).
Scheifele, D. W., andC. E. Forbes: Prolonged giant cell excretion in severe African measles. Pediatrics50, 867 (1972).
Starr, S., andS. Berkovich: Effect of measles, gamma-globulin-modified measles and vaccine measles on the tuberculin test. New Engl. J. Med.270, 386 (1964).
Warthin, A. S.: Occurrence of numerous large giant cells in the tonsils and pharyngeal mucosa in the prodromal stage of measles. Arch. Path.11, 864 (1931).
White, R.G., andJ. F. Boyd: The effect of measles on the thymus and other lymphoid tissues. Clin. exp. Immunol.13, 343 (1973).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Osunkoya, B.O., Adeleye, G.I., Adejumo, T.A. et al. Studies on leukocyte cultures in measles. Archiv f Virusforschung 44, 323–329 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01251013
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01251013