[Acute neurologic complications of rubella]

Two cases of rubella with neurological complications are reported. In one case an extensive atypical polyradiculoneuritis was associated with a late albumino-cytologic dissociation. The other presented as a transverse myelitis with meningitis and radiculitis. In neither case was an history of contagion or recent vaccination elicited, and no eruption appeared in either patient. Clinical onset was sudden, with an acute meningitis followed several days later by neurological deficits. The course was marked by successive phases of early rapid deterioration, stabilization and slow regression over several months. Sequelae were minimal. Diagnosis was based on a sharp fall in the ratio of serum/CSF levels of specific antibodies to the rubeola virus. This was sure evidence of the presence of intrathecal synthesis of specific antibodies.