Impact of HIV on measles and measles immunisation

Project

Although a measles vaccine exists, measles is a major killer in the developing world. The current HIV epidemic in areas such as sub-Saharan Africa may be exacerbating the spread of measles, by weakening the response of an infected child to the measles vaccine. This programme will test whether HIV infection in children is helping to sustain measles virus transmission. The following three studies will be carried out in Lusaka, Zambia, to explore the links between HIV infection, measles infection and measles vaccination:

• the antibody response to measles vaccine will be tested at nine months and after three years, in infected and uninfected children
• other markers of immune activation will be assessed in infected and uninfected children, and compared with results from HIV-infected and uninfected children with measles
• mathematical modelling will be used to evaluate the implications for measles control of vaccine failure in HIV-infected children.

The studies will also address the safety of vaccinating HIV-infected children with live attenuated measles vaccine.

Applicants

Dr T Cutts
Department of Infectious and Tropical Disease, Infectious Diseases Epidemiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK

Dr W Moss
Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA

Professor E Griffin
Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA

Dr M Monze
Virology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia