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[Encephalitis following measles-mumps vaccination simultaneous to an EBV-infection (author's transl)]
Insights
A 15-month-old experienced encephalitis following measles-mumps vaccination during an asymptomatic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. While the child recovered, persistent ataxia and low EBNA-titer suggest a chronic EBV infection, a novel observation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Measles-mumps vaccination is a routine pediatric immunization.
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections are common, often asymptomatic in children.
- Vaccine-associated encephalitis is a rare but serious adverse event.
Observation:
- A 15-month-old child received measles-mumps vaccination while asymptomatically infected with EBV.
- Nine days post-vaccination, the child developed encephalitis.
- The child showed substantial recovery within three weeks, with normalized EEG, but persistent ataxia at six months.
Findings:
- The child developed antibodies to measles, mumps, and EBV.
- A low EBNA-titer suggests a chronic or persistent EBV infection.
- This is the first reported case of EBV infection occurring concurrently with measles-mumps vaccination.
Implications:
- This case highlights a potential, though unproven, interaction between EBV infection and measles-mumps vaccination.
- Further research is needed to understand the implications of co-infections during vaccination.
- Clinicians should consider EBV status in cases of post-vaccination neurological events.
Abstract:
This is a case-report of a 15-month-old child, who received a measles-mumps vaccination in the course of an asymptomatic EBV-infection. Nine days later the infant incurred encephalitis and recovered substantially within three weeks; the EEG also returned to normal in this time. Ataxia still persisted, however, a half-year later. The child produced serum antibodies against all three viruses, whereby the present low EBNA-titer is indicative of a chronic persistent EBV-infection. This is, according to our knowledge, the first description of a EBV-infection during a measles-mumps vaccination.