title: Measles outbreak in a pediatric oncology unit and the role of ribavirin in prevention of complications and containment of the outbreak.
abstract: The role of oral ribavirin in treatment and containment of a measles outbreak in 15 children in an oncology unit is presented. Measles was diagnosed on clinical features and history of contact. Measles specific IgM ELISA and RNA were positive in 7 of 15 and 2 of 7 tested children, respectively. Duration of illness was longer in unimmunized as compared to immunized children (P = 0.02). Complications were higher in hematological malignancies (P = 0.025). Delay in starting ribavirin was associated with fatal complications (2 of 2 vs. 0 of 13, P = 0.009). Ribavirin prevented measles in all (21 of 21) patients exposed to the cases.
authors: Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India.
authors: Nirmalya
authors: N
authors: Roy Moulik
authors: Archana
authors: A
authors: Kumar
authors: Amita
authors: A
authors: Jain
authors: Parul
authors: P
authors: Jain
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D012367:RNA, Viral; D012254:Ribavirin
keywords: measles outbreak; pediatric oncology ward; ribavirin