Markedly elevated levels of beta2-microglobulin in urine with measles viruria in patients with measles.
BACKGROUND
Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease in children. However, the pathogenesis has not yet been fully defined since susceptible cells to measles virus (MV) had not been developed. Recently, B95a cells, which are very susceptible to MV, have been reported.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate measles viruria in patients with measles, isolation of MV from urine was performed using B95a cells.


METHODS
Isolation of MV from supernates or sediments of urine in patients with measles was performed using B95a cells. The levels of beta2-microglobulin (MG) in urine and serum were also measured.


RESULTS
MV was isolated from either supernates or sediments of urine. MV was isolated from 10 of 11 samples (91%) within 2 days of the appearance of a rash. MV was isolated from supernates of urine for up to 4 days after the appearance of a rash, and from sediments for up to 5 days. The levels of urinary beta2-MG were elevated within 2 days of the appearance of a rash. The levels of urinary beta2-MG with measles viruria were significantly higher compared to those without measles viruria.


CONCLUSIONS
Measles viruria may occur early in all patients with measles and elevated levels of urinary beta2-MG in patients with measles may be the consequence of tubular injury.
Ihara
T
T
Department of Pediatrics, Mie National Hospital, 357 Ohsato-Kubota, Tsu, Mie 514-01, Japan.
Ochiai
H
H
Kitamura
K
K
Ito
M
M
Sakurai
M
M
Kamiya
H
H