Measles in adults. An unforeseen consequence of immunization?
K. H. Rand, R. W. Emmons and T. C. Merigan
An outbreak of measles occurred in California in the first half of 1975,
especially in the San Francisco Bay area. Of four adult patients with
complicated cases, two were receiving immunosuppressive chemotherapy, and
both died from a giant-cell pneumonia. The clinical presentation in such
cases may be atypical, and special viral isolation and immunofluorescent
techniques may be diagnostically helpful. A significant (P less than .0005)
trend toward the occurrence of measles in adolescents was observed in this
epidemic, which may also occur in future epidemics elsewhere. With wide
spread but incomplete immunization, it is possible for the nonimmunized to
reach adulthood without acquiring natural infection. As a result,
internists as well as pediatricians will have to consider the possibility
of measles and be aware of its serious potential in the immunosuppressed
patient.
