How Measles can Erase Our Defenses
Despite the continued advancements of scientific discoveries, humans are still not completely protected from infectious diseases. Only one human disease has been eradicated: smallpox. Additionally, there are a few ongoing eradication programs and several more diseases that have been identified as possible future targets. One such notorious affliction are the measles, currently a hot topic within western media. Measles has become the poster child for the anti-vaccination movement, a grassroots rebellion against the notions of “big pharma”. This pushback has since allowed an additional 695 measles cases as of April, 2019. This development, combined with the disease’s 15% fatality rate, is only overshadowed by new research indicating that infection can subsequently lead to the development of a serious condition called “immune amnesia”.
Immune amnesia is defined as the loss of one’s immune defense against diseases that an individual has previously had. This means that even if you’ve already fought a disease in the past, your body would have to relearn how to defend against it in the future. Although it had not previously been clear whether this was a real condition, and how it even works, a new study has demonstrated clear evidence that this phenomena exists, and that the measles virus is a possible cause.
Immune amnesia is defined as the loss of one’s immune defense against diseases that an individual has previously had. This means that even if you’ve already fought a disease in the past, your body would have to relearn how to defend against it in the future. Although it had not previously been clear whether this was a real condition, and how it even works, a new study has demonstrated clear evidence that this phenomena exists, and that the measles virus is a possible cause.
Blood samples were collected from 77 unvaccinated children who had contracted measles.
Image Source: Free-Photos
This study was conducted by a research group at Harvard Medical School. During a measles outbreak in the Netherlands, the researchers collected blood plasma samples from 77 unvaccinated children both before and after measles infection in order to analyze their antibodies, a class of proteins that help the immune system recognize and fight infection. Additional blood samples were also taken from 5 children who had not been infected during the study. These samples were then tested by VirScan, a technology that allows researchers to identify the type and amount of virus-specific antibodies present. Shockingly, the results showed that 20% of all virus antibodies were lost. 16% of the samples (12 children of the 77 tested) demonstrated a loss upwards of 40%. To see if these phenomena was replicable, a similar study was experimentally conducted on rhesus macaques, a monkey species closely related to humans. Again, the monkeys demonstrated a 26% loss in viral antibody diversity and number.
Overall, it is clear that a significant loss of immune defense occurs following infection with measles. This means that people who are unvaccinated against measles are double or even triple at risk to themselves; not only are they vulnerable to measles, but any number of previous diseases can now put their lives at risk. Additionally, for those who are malnourished or have immune deficiencies, immune amnesia can have a devastating impact as their immune systems are already barely functional. In light of these newly discovered dangers, the researchers stress that it is paramount to continue vaccination against measles.
Overall, it is clear that a significant loss of immune defense occurs following infection with measles. This means that people who are unvaccinated against measles are double or even triple at risk to themselves; not only are they vulnerable to measles, but any number of previous diseases can now put their lives at risk. Additionally, for those who are malnourished or have immune deficiencies, immune amnesia can have a devastating impact as their immune systems are already barely functional. In light of these newly discovered dangers, the researchers stress that it is paramount to continue vaccination against measles.
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