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The clinical safety of measles and measles-mumps-rubella vaccines has been questioned in recent reports that propose a possible link between measles virus or measles vaccines and the occurrence of juvenile Crohn disease and autism. This article reviews the outcomes of several laboratory investigations which were carried out independently to identify the presence or absence of measles virus in the intestinal tissues derived from cases of inflammatory bowel disease. One research group reported the presence of measles virus particles and genomic RNA in inflammatory bowel disease tissues, but this could not be confirmed by other groups, despite use of techniques that are highly specific and sensitive for the detection of measles virus nucleic acid in clinical specimens down to the molecular level. Based on the published data reviewed here, it can be concluded that there is no direct association between measles virus or measles vaccines and the development of Crohn disease, a conclusion which is supported by most epidemiological findings.
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PMID:Clinical safety issues of measles, mumps and rubella vaccines. 1074 85

It has been suggested that vaccination, particularly with measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, may be related to the development of autism. The main evidence for a possible association is that the prevalence of autism has been increasing at the same time that infant vaccination coverage has increased, and that in some cases there is an apparent temporal association in which autistic characteristics are first noted shortly after vaccination. Although the prevalence of autism and similar disorders appears to have increased recently, it is not clear if this is an actual increase or the result of increased recognition and changes in diagnostic criteria. The apparent onset of autism in close proximity to vaccination may be a coincidental temporal association. The clinical evidence in support of an association derives from a series of 12 patients with inflammatory bowel conditions and regressive developmental disorders, mostly autism. The possibility that measles vaccine may cause autism through a persistent bowel infection has generated much interest, since it provides a possible biological mechanism. Epidemiological studies, however, have not found an association between MMR vaccination and autism. The epidemiological findings are consistent with current understanding of the pathogenesis of autism, which has a strong genetic component and in which the neurological defects probably occur early in embryonic development. It seems unlikely that a vaccination that is given after birth could cause autism. A minority of cases of autism may have onset after 1 year of age (regressive autism), but the single epidemiological study that included such cases did not find an association with MMR vaccination. Currently, the weight of the available epidemiological and related evidence does not support a causal association between MMR vaccine, or any other vaccine or vaccine constituent, and autism.
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PMID:Autism and measles-mumps-rubella vaccination: controversy laid to rest? 1170 Jan 48

The declining incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases has led to an increased public focus on the issue of vaccine safety. In an environment of increased consumerism, interest in alternative health practices and anti-vaccination lobbying, media reports that call into question the safety of scheduled vaccines can significantly raise parents' concerns. Recent media coverage of a suggested but unproved link between the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and autism has highlighted the challenges of providing a consistent and co-ordinated response. For those concerned about effectively communicating the benefits and risks of vaccination, the field of risk communication can provide helpful insights. This paper summarizes the Workshop on Vaccine Communication held in the USA during October 2000. It highlights the perspectives given by consumers, providers, journalists and risk-communication experts and discusses implications for Australia. These centre around how government and health professionals might respond to vaccine safety scares in the public arena, and to parental concerns raised in clinical encounters. Finally, the potential risks and benefits of engaging with the anti-vaccination lobby are outlined.
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PMID:Vaccination and risk communication: summary of a workshop, Arlington Virginia, USA, 5-6 October 2000. 1203 Sep 91

The ongoing controversial debate about the measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine and its links to regressional autism and specific bowel disorders appears to experience 'peaks and table troughs' of public interest correlated with specific media attention at any one time. It is not the intention of this article to either refute or substantiate the ongoing controversy, as this is obviously a scientific debate, but rather to offer an overview of the studies to date in the interest of helping practitioners in the frontline to engage in informed debate with concerned parents. The conclusions from this review stem from two major studies conducted by the Institute of Medicine (IoM, 2001) in the USA, and Medical Research Council (MRC, 2001) in the UK. Both conclude that although epidemiological studies so far do not support a link between MMR and autism, nonetheless the studies have been too imprecise to rule out the prospect of the vaccination being involved in a small number of cases, and the need for further research has been pointed out.
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PMID:MMR and autism: an overview of the debate to date. 1204 76

Autoimmunity to the central nervous system (CNS), especially to myelin basic protein (MBP), may play a causal role in autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder. Because many autistic children harbor elevated levels of measles antibodies, we conducted a serological study of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and MBP autoantibodies. Using serum samples of 125 autistic children and 92 control children, antibodies were assayed by ELISA or immunoblotting methods. ELISA analysis showed a significant increase in the level of MMR antibodies in autistic children. Immunoblotting analysis revealed the presence of an unusual MMR antibody in 75 of 125 (60%) autistic sera but not in control sera. This antibody specifically detected a protein of 73-75 kD of MMR. This protein band, as analyzed with monoclonal antibodies, was immunopositive for measles hemagglutinin (HA) protein but not for measles nucleoprotein and rubella or mumps viral proteins. Thus the MMR antibody in autistic sera detected measles HA protein, which is unique to the measles subunit of the vaccine. Furthermore, over 90% of MMR antibody-positive autistic sera were also positive for MBP autoantibodies, suggesting a strong association between MMR and CNS autoimmunity in autism. Stemming from this evidence, we suggest that an inappropriate antibody response to MMR, specifically the measles component thereof, might be related to pathogenesis of autism.
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PMID:Abnormal measles-mumps-rubella antibodies and CNS autoimmunity in children with autism. 1214 34

For decades after Kanner's original paper on the subject was published in 1943, autism was generally considered to be a rare condition with a prevalence of around 2-4 per 10,000 children. Then, studies carried out in the late 1990s and the present century reported annual rises in incidence of autism in pre-school children, based on age of diagnosis, and increases in the age-specific prevalence rates in children. Prevalence rates of up to 60 per 10,000 for autism and even more for the whole autistic spectrum were reported. Reasons for these increases are discussed. They include changes in diagnostic criteria, development of the concept of the wide autistic spectrum, different methods used in studies, growing awareness and knowledge among parents and professional workers and the development of specialist services, as well as the possibility of a true increase in numbers. Various environmental causes for a genuine rise in incidence have been suggested, including the triple vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR]. Not one of the possible environmental causes, including MMR, has been confirmed by independent scientific investigation, whereas there is strong evidence that complex genetic factors play a major role in etiology. The evidence suggests that the majority, if not all, of the reported rise in incidence and prevalence is due to changes in diagnostic criteria and increasing awareness and recognition of autistic spectrum disorders. Whether there is also a genuine rise in incidence remains an open question.
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PMID:The epidemiology of autistic spectrum disorders: is the prevalence rising? 1221 59

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine has been used for almost 30 years in the US, 20 years in Sweden and Finland, and over 10 years in most of the rest of Europe. During this time, it has brought about a dramatic reduction in the morbidity and mortality due to measles and mumps, as well as a considerable reduction in the number of babies with the congenital rubella syndrome. In spite of extensive evidence confirming the efficacy and safety of the vaccine, concerns have recently been raised about a possible link with autism and bowel problems. These arose principally from a research group in the UK, but have now spread to other countries. In the UK this has caused a fall in the uptake of the vaccine with fears of possible outbreaks of measles and mumps in some groups of children. Over the last 3 years a number of studies have addressed this possible link between MMR and autism and inflammatory bowel disease. Studies from the US, UK, Sweden, and Finland have all failed to demonstrate a link. Amongst others, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, the Institute of Medicine, and the World Health Organization have all considered the evidence and endorsed the continuing use of the vaccine. No regulatory body in the world has changed its policy as a result of this hypothesized link. Professionals and parents can be assured that MMR is well tried and tested and one of the most successful interventions in healthcare.
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PMID:Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, autism and inflammatory bowel disease: advising concerned parents. 1226 39

Vaccines have turned many childhood diseases into distant memories in industrialized countries. However, questions have been raised about the safety of some vaccines because of rare but serious adverse effects that have been attributed to them. Pain, swelling, and redness at the injection site are common local reactions to vaccines. Fever and irritability may occur after some immunizations. Currently, no substantial evidence links measles-mumps-rubella vaccine to autism, or hepatitis B vaccine to multiple sclerosis. Thimerosal is being eliminated from routine childhood vaccines because of concerns that multiple immunizations with vaccines containing this preservative could exceed recommended mercury exposures. Family physicians should be knowledgeable about vaccines so that they can inform their patients of the benefits of immunization and any proven risks. If immunization rates fall, the incidence of vaccine-preventable illnesses may rise.
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PMID:Vaccine adverse events: separating myth from reality. 1248 93

Vaccinations are invaluable in protection from a wide variety of diseases that can cause substantial morbidity and mortality. Although a rare complication of vaccination, autoimmune disorders represent one of these morbidities. Recently, widespread public concern has arisen from case reports suggesting that--similar to what has been observed after natural viral infections--there might be an association between specific immunizations and autoimmune diseases. Herein we address the biological plausibility of such a connection, focusing particularly on the examples of hepatitis B, rubella, and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccinations, and the autoimmune diseases they are potentially associated with. Our review of the available data suggests that, for the general population, the risk: benefit ratio is overwhelmingly in favor of vaccinations. However, the possibility cannot be ruled out that, in genetically susceptible individuals, vaccination can result in the unmasking of an autoimmune disease triggered by the immunization. We also critically examine the existing data suggesting a link between immunization against MMR and autism, and briefly discuss the controversial evidence pointing to a possible relationship between mercury exposure from vaccines and autistic disorders. There is a continued urgent need for rigorously designed and executed studies addressing these potential associations, although the use of vaccinations remains a critical public health tool for protection against infectious disease.
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PMID:Vaccines, viruses, and voodoo. 1253 Jan 14

The neurobiologic basis of autism is reviewed, with discussion of evidence from genetic, magnetic resonance imaging, neuropathology, and functional neuroimaging studies. Although autism is a behaviorally valid syndrome, it is remarkably heterogeneous and involves multiple developmental domains as well as a wide range of cognitive, language, and socioemotional functioning. Although multiple etiologies are implicated, recent advances have identified common themes in pathophysiology. Genetic factors play a primary role, based on evidence from family studies, identification of putative genes using genome-wide linkage analyses, and comorbidities with known genetic mutations. The RELN gene, which codes for an extracellular protein guiding neuronal migration, has been implicated in autism. Numerous neuropathologic changes have been described, including macroencephaly, acceleration and then deceleration in brain growth, increased neuronal packing and decreased cell size in the limbic system, and decreased Purkinje cell number in the cerebellum. Abnormalities in organization of the cortical minicolumn, representing the fundamental subunit of vertical cortical organization, may underlie the pathology of autism and result in altered thalamocortical connections, cortical disinhibition, and dysfunction of the arousal-modulating system of the brain. The role of acquired factors is speculative, with insufficient evidence to link the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine with autism or to change immunization practices.
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PMID:The neurobiology of autism: new pieces of the puzzle. 1258 44


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