MEASLES-VIRUS SEROLOGY IN CROHNS-DISEASE

Background-There is evidence that measles virus infection in early lif e may predispose to Crohn's disease. Aims-To examine using serological methods a potential association between measles virus infection in ea rly life and predisposition to Crohn's disease. Subjects-Forty five pa tients with Crohn's disease and forty five healthy controls were studi ed prospectively. Methods-Clinical data were recorded and serum was an alysed for measles virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), adenovirus and herpes simplex virus (HSV) antibody titres by a complement fixation test (CF T), and for measles virus IgM. by enzyme Linked immunosorbent assay (E LISA). Results-Reciprocal CFT titres for measles virus were lower in p atients with Crohn's disease compared with controls (p < 0.05); there was no significant difference in titres for other viruses. None of the subjects studied had a level of measles virus IgM suggestive of acute infection, and there was no significant difference in measles virus I gM levels between patients and controls. The measles virus CFT titres and IgM levels in the patients with Crohn's disease did not correlate with any of the clinical features recorded. Conclusion-This study does not provide supportive evidence for a role for measles virus in the a etiology of Crohn's disease.