Adult patients hospitalized for measles in France, in the 21st century

An epidemic of measles broke out in France in 2008. We designed a retrospective study focusing on adults hospitalized for measles in 2010/2011.

A case was any patient aged more than 15 years, hospitalized (September 2010 to September 2011) with a typical rash or a biological diagnosis. Data was collected with standardized questionnaires in participating hospitals.

Four hundred and sixty cases were reported: sex-ratio (M/F) = 0.93, median age 26 years (σ = 8.8). Twenty-nine cases were severe (6.5%), 27 of which hospitalized in an ICU. Three hundred and twelve (68%) cases had elevated serum transaminases (EST), 155 (34%) cases had pneumonia, 34 (7%) cases had elevated serum creatinine (ESC), four (0.9%) cases had elevated serum amylase and lipase (ESAL), and three (0.7%) cases had neurological symptoms. One hundred and four (23%) patients presented simultaneously with EST and pneumonia. One patient presenting with severe pneumonia died (0.2%). One hundred and ten (24%) patients received antibiotics during a median seven days.

Measles can present as various syndromes in adults and be responsible for a high burden during outbreaks. The immediate outcome is favorable in most patients. Long-term outcome needs further investigations to identify possible late complications.