Abstract
Twenty two cases of measles encephalitis are described in children 2-12 years of age. An increased incidence of measles encephalitis, and the short time between the exanthematous manifestations and the neurological involvement (1-4 days), are underlined. The clinical features were: meningeal signs, sensory impairment, convulsive attacks, pyramidal changes; in 5 children myelitis was also present; in a girl of 10 a typical Parkinson's syndrome was observed; in another case the start of encephalitis was characterized by acute bulbar failure. In all cases a lymphocytic meningitis was present; the immunoglobulin level of cerebrospinal fluid was higher than normal for IgG; some subjects still showed a rise of IgA and IgM, significant for an output in nervous system. EEG changes were present in all children. The clinical and EEG course was favourable in 19 cases of 22; in one epileptic attacks are still present; in two children with serious neurological impairment, another acute infection was present (acquired toxoplasmosis and pertussis respectively). Therapeutically, steroids in large dosages, gammaglobulins and emergency drugs were used.
| Translated title of the contribution | Our experience on measles encephalitis: clinical and therapeutic features |
|---|---|
| Original language | Italian |
| Pages (from-to) | 825-829 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Giornale di Malattie Infettive e Parassitarie |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| Publication status | Published - 1975 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Parasitology