[Severe forms of rubella encephalitis: arguments for a better vaccination policy].
BACKGROUND
Two cases of rubella encephalitis in young adults are reported.


METHODS
2 patients, 19 and 16-year-old, presented with severe encephalitis. One required mechanical ventilation. Neither were vaccinated against rubella. MRI scan of the brain was normal. The diagnosis was confirmed by serology. Good recovery was noted in both patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Both cases of rubella encephalitis occurring in young adults illustrate the severity of this rare disease. As already shown in Finland, improvement with the French vaccination policy should lead to the prevention of rubella encephalitis.
Merrer
J
J
Service de réanimation médicale, Centre hospitalier intercommunal, Poissy/Saint-Germain. jmer@club-internet.fr
Perin-Dureau
F
F
Appéré
C
C
Palmer
P
P
Santoli
F
F
De Jonghe
B
B
Lebon
P
P
Outin
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018792:Encephalitis, Viral / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D008297:Male; D012409:Rubella / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D012411:Rubella Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014611:Vaccination
D012411:Rubella Vaccine