GROWTH OF MEASLES VIRUS IN NERVOUS TISSUES

Abstract
Neurovirulence of in vivo-passed wild measles virus and that of the cell-associated SSPE [subacute sclerosing panencephalitis] virus were compared by intracerebral inoculation into monkeys [Macaca fusicularis]. The wild measles virus lacked neurovirulence, producing no neurological signs or significant histological changes in the brains, although its other properties were characteristic of the wild virus. Inoculation of the SSPE virus induced rapid onset of neurological signs with mild but definite histological changes including degeneration of nerve cells. The fact that SSPE virus exhibited neurovirulence in monkeys indicated the usefulness of the current assay system for neurovirulence of measles vaccine by intracerebral inoculation into monkeys.