The tuberculin reaction is frequently depressed following natural measles infection (1-4). Evidence also indicates that measles infection may aggravate a pre-existing tuberculous condition (5-7). In a recent study, Mellman and Wetton (8) described· a temporary depression of the tuberculin reaction in children following vaccination with live attenuated measles virus vaccine. These writers stated that the depression occurred in measles-immune as well as in measles-susceptible persons but could be prevented by administering gamma globulin simultaneously with the measles vaccine. Starr and Berkovich ( 4) noted a depression in tuberculin sensitivity following the administration of live measles vaccine and gamma globulin, but stated that this occurred only in those susceptible to measles. Tuberculosis and measles are diseases of particular concern among Alaskan Indians, Aleuts, and Eskimos (9-11). Accordingly, at the Arctic Health Research Center, studies were initiated to confirm the above cited observations and to extend the investigation to include the effect of killed measles virus vaccine on the tuberculin reaction. As will be seen, the data are somewhat at variance with those previously reported.
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Brody et al. (1964) studied this question.