An update on measles

Monday, 11th of April 2016

An update on measles

• M. Caseris^a   
• C. Burdet^a 
• R. Lepeule^a 
• N. Houhou^b 
• P. Yeni^a 
• Y. Yazdanpanah^a 
• V. Joly^a
• ^a Service de maladies infectieuses et tropicales hôpital Bichat-Claude-Bernard 36 rue Huchard 75018 Paris France
• ^b Laboratoire de virologie hôpital Bichat-Claude-Bernard 36 rue Huchard 75018 Paris France

Available online 8 January 2015

Abstract

Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease which needs more than 95% worldwide vaccination coverage of 2 doses to be eradicated. Despite an important involvement of the WHO for massive immunization goals have not been reached and outbreaks can occur at any time in many countries including Western Europe. In France 22000 cases were identified between 2009 and 2011 mainly in infants and young adults which are not or not enough vaccinated (one dose). In 2012 even though the number of cases has drastically decreased the outbreak is still going on especially in South of France. That is why every clinician needs to be concerned about the clinical manifestations of the disease and its complications. Besides a febrile rash measles is often responsible of pneumonia and biologic hepatitis in adults. Hepatitis does not seem frequent in children. Clinicians need to be aware of specific complications like encephalitis in case of cellular immunodepression high risk of pneumonia in pregnant women. In patients previously vaccinated incidence of complications is the same but patients are not contagious. Even if measles diagnosis is clinical blood confirmation by serology is recommended in France when possible. Outcome is mainly favorable but measles is not well-tolerated with high levels of hospitalization even without any complication. Vaccination is the only way to protect against it.