Measles

Abstract

Measles is an infectious disease in humans caused by the measles virus (MeV). Before the introduction of an effective measles vaccine, virtually everyone experienced measles during childhood. Symptoms of measles include fever and maculopapular skin rash accompanied by cough, coryza and/or conjunctivitis. MeV causes immunosuppression, and severe sequelae of measles include pneumonia, gastroenteritis, blindness, measles inclusion body encephalitis and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. Case confirmation depends on clinical presentation and results of laboratory tests, including the detection of anti-MeV IgM antibodies and/or viral RNA. All current measles vaccines contain a live attenuated strain of MeV, and great progress has been made to increase global vaccination coverage to drive down the incidence of measles. However, endemic transmission continues in many parts of the world. Measles remains a considerable cause of childhood mortality worldwide, with estimates that >100,000 fatal cases occur each year. Case fatality ratio estimates vary from <0.01% in industrialized countries to >5% in developing countries. All six WHO regions have set goals to eliminate endemic transmission of MeV by achieving and maintaining high levels of vaccination coverage accompanied by a sensitive surveillance system. Because of the availability of a highly effective and relatively inexpensive vaccine, the monotypic nature of the virus and the lack of an animal reservoir, measles is considered a candidate for eradication.

Delineating morbillivirus entry, dissemination and airborne transmission by studying in vivo competition of multicolor canine distemper viruses in ferrets

“…Measles virus (MV) is the prototype morbillivirus and remains a significant cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in the developing world. Measles is characterized by fever, skin rash, cough and conjunctivitis, followed by a transient immune suppression [2]. The resulting increased susceptibility to secondary infections can lead to life-threatening complications [3].…”

Morbillivirus Experimental Animal Models: Measles Virus Pathogenesis Insights from Canine Distemper Virus

“…Despite the availability of a safe and cost-effective vaccine, the Measles virus (MeV) remains one of the leading causes of death among young children in developing countries [1]. MeV infections are also associated with neurological complications that may occur during the acute disease phase, but also many years later, due to long-term persistence in the central nervous system (CNS).…”

“…Since humans are the only reservoir for MeV, it is a promising target for global eradication, and a world-wide eradication campaign is ongoing [1]. The successful eradication of the closely related Rinderpest virus (RPV) in 2011 demonstrates the general feasibility of this approach [2].…”

Measles - the public health challenge

“…Osip blijedi istim redoslijedom kao što je izbijao, a na koži još tjedan dana zaostaju blijedosmeđe mrlje. Nekomplicirane ospice traju između 7 -10 dana 30 . Mitigirane (modificirane) ospice javljaju se u pacijenata koji su u inkubaciji zaštićeni gama-globulinima te starije dojenčadi s još prisutnim majčinim protutijelima.…”