Atypical measles after vaccination with killed vaccine

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pediatrics

Background:

• The 1963 measles vaccine regimen involved two killed vaccine injections followed by one live vaccine.
• Atypical measles presentations can occur even after vaccination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present two cases of atypical measles in children previously vaccinated with an early measles vaccine formulation.
• To describe the clinical course and diagnostic findings in these atypical measles cases.

Main Methods:

• Case study of two siblings with suspected atypical measles.
• Epidemiological investigation of measles exposure and vaccination history.
• Serological confirmation of measles infection.
• Radiological examination (X-ray) for pulmonary complications.

Main Results:

• Both siblings, vaccinated in 1963, contracted natural measles in 1967, presenting with severe illness.
• Symptoms included high fever, exanthem, pneumonia, and prostration, with recovery within two weeks.
• One patient exhibited persistent lung infiltration on chest X-ray.

Conclusions:

• The presented cases represent atypical measles, consistent with descriptions by Fulginiti and Kempe.
• Early measles vaccine formulations may not provide complete protection against severe natural infection.
• Atypical measles following vaccination warrants further investigation regarding vaccine efficacy and long-term sequelae.