Clinical and laboratory features of adult measles cases detected in Van, Turkey.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate adult measles patients with respect to their clinical and laboratory findings as well as complications.


METHODS
The retrospective study was conducted at YuzuncuYil University, Van, Turkey, between December 2012 and June 2013, and comprised cases diagnosed with measles. The diagnosis was based on clinical findings and all were serologically confirmed with the presence of Anti-measles Immunoglobulin M antibodies.


RESULTS
Of the 50 records studied, 41(84%) related to women. Overall mean age was 25.52±4.07 years. The most common symptoms were fever and rash 50(100%), malaise 49(98%), cough 48(96%), headache 44(88%) and sore throat 36(72%). The presence of Koplik spots, lymphadenopathy and hepatomegaly were observed in 3(6%), 6(12%) and 2(4%) patients respectively. Thrombocytopenia and elevated liver enzymes were detected in 26(52%) and 22(44%)patients. Pneumonia was the most common complication in 9(18%) patients. Other respiratory complications were bronchitis 5(10%) and laryngotracheitis 6(12%). Of the cases, 9(18%) exhibited otitis media. Premature delivery and spontaneous abortus occurred in 2(4%) and 3(6%) patients of the 15(30%) pregnant women.


CONCLUSIONS
Measles continues to be an important health problem in Turkey and needs an effective elimination programme.
Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, YuzuncuYil University, Van, Turkey.
Mahmut
M
Sunnetcioglu
Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, YuzuncuYil University, Van, Turkey.
Ali Irfan
AI
Baran
Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, YuzuncuYil University, Van, Turkey.
Aysel
A
Sunnetcioglu
Department of Infectious Diseases, Bingol State Hospital, Bingol, Turkey.
Osman
O
Mentes
Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, YuzuncuYil University, Van, Turkey.
Sevdegul
S
Karadas
Department of Infectious Diseases, Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Adalet
A
Aypak
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000209:etiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology*; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000209:etiology*; D011024:Pneumonia, Viral / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000209:etiology*; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult
Measles, Adult, Complication, Pregnancy.