Br Med J 1977 Jun 25;1(6077):1633-5

Persistent measles infection in malnourished children.

Dossetor J, Whittle HC, Greenwood BM

Thirty malnourished and 25 well-nourished children were studied six to 31
days after the onset of a measles rash. Evidence of the virus was found in
40% of the malnourished children but in none of the well-nourished
controls. Giant cells were found in the nasal secretions of five out of 17
malnourished children and measles antigen was detected in the lymphocytes
of eight out of 28.
The malnourished children showed depressed cell-mediated immunity to
measles and candida antigens and a low response to meningococcal vaccine.
Fifteen died from intercurrent infections. Malnutrition was thought to have
depressed the immune response in these children, resulting in a severe and
prolonged attack of measles. This, in turn, led to further damage to the
immune system and more severe malnutrition. Thus these children were made
susceptible to intercurrent infection.

PMID: 871699, UI: 77202502

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.