Measles-induced Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis in a Non-vaccinated Patient

Abstract

We reported a case of measles-induced acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) in a 40-year-old immunocompetent adult. The patient presented a week after the development of respiratory symptoms and a cutaneous rash, and was admitted to hospital for altered mental status. Blood tests showed hyperleukocytosis, thrombopenia and cytolysis. A lumbar puncture was consistent with acute meningitis and the patient was initially treated with antiviral and wide broad-spectrum antibiotics. Serology and PCR for measles came back positive.

Measles Resurgence in Europe: An Open Breakthrough in the Field of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

“…Neurologic complications are rarely observed, such as acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) (1 case per 1000) that principally affects immunocompromised individuals [6][7][8]; and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) (6.5-11 cases per 100,000 patients), which occurs several years after the infection with the virus [9,10].…”