Unravelling the Measles Paradox
Official title: Unravelling the Measles Paradox: a Disease Associated With Both Immune Suppression and Immune Activation
Run by Erasmus Medical Center · NCT07267585 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether natural measles causes lasting 'immune amnesia' by changing circulating immune memory cells in adults who are vaccinated, recently infected, or had measles in the past.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 300 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Erasmus Medical Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Rotterdam, South Holland) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 3, 2025 |
| Main results expected | July 30, 2028 |
| Study ends | July 30, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | December 5, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07267585 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults (18+) who fit one of the study cohorts: planning to receive MMR, recently contracted measles, seronegative, had measles in 2013, or received a second measles vaccine dose about ten years ago.
✕Probably not a fit
People with chronic diseases, immunosuppression, or (for the vaccination cohort) pregnant women are excluded and therefore would not participate or benefit from this protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is an observational, multi-cohort study comparing adults across five groups (planning MMR vaccination, recently infected, seronegative, infected in 2013, and vaccinated ~10 years ago). Participants will provide serial blood samples to measure changes in circulating memory B and T cell populations and the expansion of measles-specific immune cells. The protocol specifically aims to quantify how much pre-existing immunity is reduced, how long functional immune suppression persists, and the degree of measles-specific cell expansion. The work builds on data from the 2013 Dutch outbreak and is timed in the context of recent increases in measles cases in Europe.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could explain why measles raises the risk of other infections and help shape vaccination and follow-up strategies to protect people after measles.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier analyses from the 2013 outbreak and other observational studies reported signals consistent with measles-associated immune amnesia, so this study extends and quantifies those prior findings.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Cohort A * 18 years or older * No known history of measles or vaccination * Decided to take MMR vaccination before the upcoming measles outbreak Cohort B * 18 years or older * No known history of measles or vaccination (seronegative confirmed) * Contracted measles during the upcoming outbreak Cohort C * 18 years or older * No known history of measles or vaccination (seronegative confirmed) Cohort D * 18 years or older * Experienced measles during the 2013 outbreak Cohort E * 18 years or older * Received second dose of measles vaccines ±10 years ago Exclusion Criteria: A potential participant who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from the study: * Diagnosed chronic disease * Immune suppression (due to medication or underlying disease) * Additionally for subjects recruited to Cohort A: * pregnant women or women planning to get pregnant in less than one month after the start of the study. This is a precaution; the MMR vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women. * People who have had a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after a previous vaccination.
Where it's running
-
Erasmus MC
Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Dr C.H. Geurts van Kessel
- Email: c.geurtsvankessel@erasmusmc.nl
- Phone: +31643271384
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.