Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

A Model for Epilepsy of Infectious Etiology using Theiler's Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus
05:33

A Model for Epilepsy of Infectious Etiology using Theiler's Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus

Published on: June 23, 2022

Optic neuritis following aseptic meningitis associated with modified measles: a case report

Nobuhito Nakajima1, Masayuki Ueda, Mineo Yamazaki

  • 1Department of Neurology, Kitamurayama Public Hospital, Yamagata, Japan. s7066@nms.ac.jp

Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases
|July 26, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Modified measles, even without typical symptoms, can rapidly cause serious neurological issues like aseptic meningitis and optic neuritis. Prompt steroid treatment resolved the optic neuritis in this case.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Ophthalmology

Background:

  • Modified measles, often presenting with mild flu-like symptoms, is generally considered to have a low risk of severe neurological complications.
  • Typical measles symptoms like Koplik's spots and skin rashes may be absent in modified cases, complicating diagnosis.

Observation:

  • A 35-year-old woman presented with flu-like symptoms later diagnosed as modified measles via virological testing.
  • She developed aseptic meningitis followed by optic neuritis in the right eye.
  • The optic neuritis resolved completely after receiving steroid pulse therapy.

Findings:

  • This case demonstrates that modified measles can lead to rapid and severe neurological complications, including aseptic meningitis and optic neuritis.
  • Despite the absence of classic measles symptoms, acute measles infection was confirmed.
  • Optic neuritis, a significant neurological complication, responded well to steroid treatment.

Implications:

  • Physicians should consider modified measles in the differential diagnosis of aseptic meningitis and optic neuritis, even in vaccinated individuals or those with atypical presentations.
  • Early virological confirmation of measles is crucial for timely management of potential neurological sequelae.
  • The findings highlight the importance of recognizing that modified measles can present with severe neurological manifestations, challenging the notion of its mildness.

More Related Videos

Induction of Paralysis and Visual System Injury in Mice by T Cells Specific for Neuromyelitis Optica Autoantigen Aquaporin-409:29

Induction of Paralysis and Visual System Injury in Mice by T Cells Specific for Neuromyelitis Optica Autoantigen Aquaporin-4

Published on: August 21, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

Arboviral Encephalitis

Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...