31 May 2021

One of the most dangerous viruses: Measels

Research Grant

Measles is more than a mild childhood disease; rather, it is one of the most dangerous viruses, we know. Now, Professor Søren Buus from the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at UCPH has received DKK 2.9 million from the Independent Research Fund Denmark to investigate whether the first measles vaccination can be advanced to the 6 months old child.

Measel virus (free image, Bing)

Measles is a highly contagious childhood disease that used to turn into epidemics and cost the lives of millions of children, especially in the developing countries.

The existence of a safe and effective vaccine has meant that the disease has been under control, but due to a declining support to the vaccine, we have seen small outbreaks of the disease again.

However, as more and more mothers are vaccinated, one wonders if they have fewer antibodies against measles, thus giving fewer protective antibodies to their child. At the same time, it has become clear that measles is more than a mild childhood disease; rather, it attacks the immune system and destroys the immunological memory cells. That makes measels one of the most dangerous viruses, we know.

Now, Professor Søren Buus from the Experimental Immunology group at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology has received almost DKK 2.9 million from the Independent Research Fund Denmark to the project: T cell responses following measles vaccination at 6 months (6M) of age.

Advancing the first measles vaccination to the 6 months old child?

To provide protection at an earlier time point where the infant is the most vulnerable, Professor Søren Buus and his research group, together with Professor Lone Graff Stensballe from Copenhagen University Hospital, will investigate whether they can advance the first measles vaccination to the 6 months old child.

It is difficult to investigate, whether this is possible, and whether such an early vaccination will provide protection. Especially because cellular immune tests require larger blood samples than can be taken immediately from a child. However, the researchers propose a solution to this problem:

They will take large blood samples from adults, and on that basis identify what the human immune system sees when it encounters a measles virus. With that knowledge, the researchers know exactly what to look for when they want to investigate whether an early vaccination gives the child protection against measels infection.

Contact:

Professor Søren Buus

To read more about the The Laboratory of Experimental Immunology (LEI)

Project: T cell responses following measles vaccination at 6 months (6M) of age

Grant: DKK 2,879,986