IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE MEASLES ENCEPHALOPATHY

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Abstract
A case of measles infection without a rash, which was followed by a severe encephalopathy after 2 mo., is described in a 2 1/2 yr old boy. At the age of 8 mo. he was irradiatedfor an inoperable intrathoracic neuroblastoma, and at the time of exposure to measles he was being treated with cyclophosphamide and vincristine. This case closely resembles other cases recently described and termed immunosuppressive measles encephalopathy. The syndrome is believed to represent the effect of measles virus in patients with deficient cellular immunity induced by antineoplastic treatment. The importance of protecting children on immunosuppressive treatment from contracting measles is stressed.