[Measles with respiratory involvement in adults. 2 cases].
BACKGROUND
Measles is usually considered to be a childhood disease. Recent epidemiology data suggest that it is in progress amongst the adult population despite generalized vaccination.


METHODS
Within a 3-week period, two brothers, aged 19 and 21 years, developed fever and interstitial pneumonia. Characteristic maculopapulous eruptions occurred later leading to measles diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the clinical course is usually benign, measles can cause severe complications, particularly respiratory involvement that occurs in 3 to 10% of adult measles cases. The virus can affect the respiratory epithelium directly leading to bronchopneumonia which develops prior to the cutaneous eruption; all manifestations then regress together as in our two cases. Later complications due to bacterial superinfections can occur. Measles should be considered in adults with fever and interstitial pneumonia.
Loubières
Y
Y
Service de Réanimation polyvalente, Hôpital Ambroise Paré, Boulogne.
Fourme
T
T
Page
B
B
Vieillard Baron
A
A
Jardin
F
F
D000328:Adult; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014611:Vaccination