* Department of Biology and Biotechnology Center, Utah State
University, Logan, Utah, USA
Received 23 July 2002; accepted 28 October 2002. ; Available online 27 February
2003.
Abstract
Virus-induced autoimmunity may
play a causal role in autism. To examine the etiologic link of viruses in
this brain disorder, we conducted a serologic study of measles virus,
mumps virus, and rubella virus. Viral antibodies were measured by
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the serum of autistic children,
normal children, and siblings of autistic children. The level of measles
antibody, but not mumps or rubella antibodies, was significantly higher in
autistic children as compared with normal children (P = 0.003) or
siblings of autistic children (P 0.0001). Furthermore, immunoblotting of measles
vaccine virus revealed that the antibody was directed against a protein of
approximately 74 kd molecular weight. The antibody to this antigen was
found in 83% of autistic children but not in normal children or siblings
of autistic children. Thus autistic children have a hyperimmune response
to measles virus, which in the absence of a wild type of measles infection
might be a sign of an abnormal immune reaction to the vaccine strain or
virus reactivation.
Corresponding author.
Communications should be addressed to: Dr. Singh; Biotechnology Center;
Utah State University; 4700 Old Main Hill; , Logan, Utah, 84322, , USA.
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