Prolonged measles virus shedding in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children, detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.
A reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay was used to detect measles virus RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, urine, and nasopharyngeal specimens from Zambian children during hospitalization and approximately 1-2 months after discharge. Of 47 children, 29 (61.7%) had prolonged measles virus shedding, as defined by detection of measles virus RNA in > or =1 specimen obtained 30-61 days after rash onset. Ten (90.9%) of 11 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children had prolonged measles virus shedding, compared with 19 (52.8%) of 36 HIV-uninfected children (P=.02). Prolonged measles virus shedding did not correlate with levels of measles virus-specific antibody. HIV-infected children with measles may have a prolonged infectious period that potentially enhances measles virus transmission and hinders measles control.
Permar
S R
SR
W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Moss
W J
WJ
Ryon
J J
JJ
Monze
M
M
Cutts
F
F
Quinn
T C
TC
Griffin
D E
DE
D000293:Adolescent; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D008459:Measles virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000821:virology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013997:Time Factors; D014556:Urine / Q000821:virology; D017201:Virus Shedding / Q000502:physiology; D015024:Zambia
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral