Administering the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine could serve as a preventive measure to dampen septic inflammation associated with COVID-19 infection, say a team of experts in an article published on June 19, 2020, in mBio, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology. The article is titled “Could an Unrelated Live Attenuated Vaccine Serve As a Preventive Measure to Dampen Septic Inflammation Associated with COVID-19 Infection?” (https://mbio.asm.org/content/11/3/e00907-20). Long-time collaborators and spouses Paul Fidel, Jr., PhD, Department Chair, Oral and Craniofacial Biology, and Associate Dean for Research, Louisiana State University Health School of Dentistry, and his wife Mairi Noverr, PhD, Professor of Microbiology & Immunology at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans co-authored the perspective article based on ideas stemming from research in their labs. They propose the concept that administration of an unrelated. live, attenuated vaccine, such as MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), could serve as a preventive measure against the worst sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Vaccination with MMR in immunocompetent individuals has no contraindications and may be especially effective for health care workers who can easily be exposed to COVID-19, say the researchers. "Live, attenuated vaccines seemingly have some nonspecific benefits, as well as immunity to the target pathogen. A clinical trial with MMR in high-risk populations may provide a low-risk/high-reward preventive measure in saving lives during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Dr. Fidel.Login Or Register To Read Full Story