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Published on: July 24, 2016
Measles virus and associated central nervous system sequelae.
Renee Buchanan1, Daniel J Bonthius
1Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Hospital and Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
Seminars in Pediatric Neurology
|August 15, 2012
Summary
Measles is a deadly vaccine-preventable disease. Measles outbreaks in the U.S. are linked to undervaccinated children, leading to severe, untreatable central nervous system complications.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Measles remains a significant global health threat, particularly vaccine-preventable deaths.
- In the U.S., school entry vaccination policies have largely controlled endemic measles.
- Recent outbreaks are linked to imported measles virus and transmission among undervaccinated populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the spectrum of measles-associated central nervous system (CNS) complications.
- To discuss the pathogenesis and clinical presentations of these severe neurological sequelae.
- To highlight the challenges in treating measles-related brain injuries.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of measles and its neurological complications.
- Analysis of clinical presentations, pathogenesis, and pathological effects.
- Synthesis of current understanding of brain-virus-immune interactions in measles.
Main Results:
- Measles can cause severe CNS complications, including encephalitis and panencephalitis, days to years post-infection.
- These complications arise from complex brain-virus-immune system interactions.
- Despite advances, effective treatments for measles-associated neurological damage are lacking.
Conclusions:
- Measles poses a continued threat, especially through imported cases and undervaccination.
- Measles-induced CNS diseases are diverse, severe, and can cause permanent brain injury.
- Further research is needed to develop effective treatments for these devastating neurological complications.
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