Clinical Information

Measles is a serious and highly contagious disease which can be a leading cause of death where nutrition and sanitation are limited. Onset begins with cough, fever, and lymphadenopathy approximately 2 weeks after exposure. Diagnosis is usually made when the rash appears. Koplik’s spots may be seen earlier on the buccal mucosa. Complications of measles may develop in children who appear to have normal immune functions.

Persistent infection of the central nervous system with measles virus is recognized to cause the disease subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). SSPE is a rare, late complication of measles with an incidence of approximately 1 per 100,000 cases. SSPE is a progressive, usually fatal disease that occurs most often in children between the ages of 5 and 14. The onset is insidious and progressive. The incubation period from acute measles to onset of neurological symptoms varies from several months to many years. One of the most useful diagnostic tests involves the measurement of measles-specific antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with SSPE. Levels of antibody are significantly elevated in the CSF of SSPE patients compared to those without the disease.