Abstract
The role that virus infections play in autism is not known. Others have reported that antibodies against measles virus are higher in the sera/plasma of children with autism versus controls. The authors investigated antibody titers to measles, mumps, and rubella viruses and diphtheria toxoid in children with autism, both classic onset (33) and regressive onset (26) forms, controls (25, healthy age- and gender-matched) and individuals with Tourette's syndrome (24) via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. No significant differences in antibody titers to measles, mumps, and rubella viruses and diphtheria toxoid were found among the four groups. Additionally, there were no significant differences between the four groups for total immunoglobulin (Ig)G or IgM. Interestingly, the authors did find a significant number (15/59) of autism subjects (classic and regressive onset combined) who had a very low or no antibody titer against rubella virus, compared to a combine control/Tourette's group (2/49).
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The authors wish to acknowledge Nancy K. Burgess, BS, Sarah E. Doyle, BS, and Matthew D'Haenens, BS, for excellent technical assistance; Ikuo Tsunoda, MD PhD, for many helpful discussions; and Kathleen Borick for the outstanding preparation of the manuscript. This work was supported by NIH U19 HD/DC35476, which is part of the NICHD/NIDCD Collaborative Programs for Excellence in Autism.