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[Delayed measles encephalitis in a leukemic child]
M Monfort-Gouraud1, O Robain, F Boccara
1Service de Pédiatrie B, Hôpital Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, Paris.
Insights
A rare case of delayed measles encephalitis occurred in a 5-year-old girl six months after measles infection during leukemia treatment. This measles inclusion body encephalitis (MIBE) was confirmed by brain cell inclusions and viral nucleocapsides.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Measles can cause rare, severe neurological complications.
- Delayed-onset encephalitis is an uncommon sequela of measles infection.
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment can impact immune response.
Observation:
- A 5-year-old girl developed delayed encephalitis 6 months after measles.
- The measles occurred during reinduction therapy for ALL.
- The child succumbed to the encephalitis one month after onset.
Findings:
- Measles inclusion body encephalitis (MIBE) was diagnosed.
- Intracellular inclusions in brain cells were confirmed by electron microscopy.
- In situ hybridization revealed viral nucleocapsides identical to those in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE).
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for severe, delayed neurological complications from measles, even in immunocompromised children.
- The findings suggest a potential link or shared mechanism between MIBE and SSPE.
- Further research is warranted to understand the pathogenesis of delayed measles encephalitis and its long-term consequences.
Abstract:
A case of measles encephalitis of the delayed type in a 5 year-old girl is reported. The encephalitis occurred 6 months after a measles which supervened just after the 18th monthly reinduction treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The child died one month later. This measles inclusion body encephalitis (MIBE) was confirmed by the presence of intracellular inclusions in the brain cells visualized by electron microscopy. The evidence of viral related intracellular nucleocapsides was confirmed by in situ hybridization. These nucleocapsides were identical to those seen in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.