[2 cases of post-measles myelitis]

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Rubella (German measles) is a viral infection typically associated with mild symptoms.
• Rarely, neurological complications can arise following rubella infection.
• Spinal cord lesions are an exceptionally uncommon manifestation of post-rubella neurological sequelae.

Observation:

• Two cases of strictly spinal cord lesions occurred during rubella infection.
• Case 1 presented with flaccid paraplegia, with incomplete recovery over two months.
• Case 2 exhibited sensory and sphincter disturbances, with complete recovery in one month.

Findings:

• The pathogenesis of post-eruption encephalomyelitis remains uncertain.
• A leading hypothesis involves a delayed hypersensitivity mechanism mediated by cell-based immunity.
• Neurological manifestations post-rubella infection have a variable prognosis.

Implications:

• Spinal cord involvement in rubella, though rare, may have a favorable prognosis.
• Understanding the immunologic mechanisms is crucial for managing these neurological complications.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the pathogenesis and prognosis of rubella-associated myelopathy.