Unlocking the Secrets: How Measles Virus Mutates in the Human Brain?
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Ever wondered how the measles virus transforms and spreads within the human brain? Mayo Clinic researchers have delved into the intricate details, mapping the mutations that lead to a rare, lethal brain disease. As measles makes a comeback among the unvaccinated, understanding these mechanisms becomes crucial.
Using cutting-edge genetic sequencing tools, Mayo Clinic scientists reconstructed the journey of viral genomes in a human brain. The virus acquired distinct mutations, propelling its spread from the frontal cortex outward. Dr. Roberto Cattaneo, a Mayo Clinic virologist, emphasizes the significance: "Our discoveries will help study and understand how other viruses persist and adapt to the human brain, causing disease."
Measles, one of the most contagious diseases, rears its head again due to vaccine hesitancy and missed vaccinations. The consequences are dire, with a notable increase in cases and deaths. Dr. Cattaneo and Iris Yousaf, a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate, had a unique opportunity to study the brain of an individual who succumbed to subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare brain disease linked to measles.
The research uncovered a fascinating process: as the measles virus entered the brain, its genome underwent harmful changes, replicating and creating a diverse population of genomes. Specific combinations of these genomes worked together to promote the virus's spread throughout the brain.
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The next frontier involves understanding how specific mutations facilitate virus spread in the brain. These studies, conducted in cultivated brain cells and organoids, aim to pave the way for effective antiviral drugs. However, the crucial reminder remains—preventing SSPE through measles vaccination is the most potent defense.
Let's stay informed and work towards a world free from preventable diseases!
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Link: [Yousaf, I., et al. (2023) Brain tropism acquisition: The spatial dynamics and evolution of a measles virus collective infectious unit that drove lethal subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. PLOS Pathogens. doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1011817 .]