Koch A, Krönert C, Lotti T, Vojvodic A, Wollina U. Adult Measles - Case Reports of a Highly Contagious Disease.
Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2019;
7:3009-3012. [PMID:
31850111 PMCID:
PMC6910791 DOI:
10.3889/oamjms.2019.540]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2019] [Revised: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Measles is highly contagious and is caused by the RNA morbillivirus. The best protection is active immunisation in early childhood. Without immunisation morbidity and mortality of measles are high. In recent years, an increasing number of adult measles has been recognised in Europe.
CASE REPORTS
We report here on two adult patients - a 40-year-old male and a 55-year-old female - who presented with fever, fatigue, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis and maculopapular rash. The suspicion of adult measles infection was confirmed by positivity for IgM antibodies against measles virus and reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in blood and urine. Patients were isolated, and the treatment was symptomatic. In the younger patient, complete recovery was achieved within two weeks. In the older patient, an acute encephalopathy developed after initial improvement characterised by cognitive impairment.
CONCLUSIONS
In patients presenting with fever and maculopapular rash and fatigue, measles should be considered even in adult patients. Early diagnosis with subsequent isolation and registration of patients are important measures to prevent local outbreaks of the disease.
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