[Measles with respiratory involvement in adults. 2 cases].

BACKGROUND

Measles is usually considered to be a childhood disease. Recent epidemiology data suggest that it is in progress amongst the adult population despite generalized vaccination.

CASE REPORT: Within a 3-week period, two brothers, aged 19 and 21 years, developed fever and interstitial pneumonia. Characteristic maculopapulous eruptions occurred later leading to measles diagnosis.

DISCUSSION: Although the clinical course is usually benign, measles can cause severe complications, particularly respiratory involvement that occurs in 3 to 10% of adult measles cases. The virus can affect the respiratory epithelium directly leading to bronchopneumonia which develops prior to the cutaneous eruption; all manifestations then regress together as in our two cases. Later complications due to bacterial superinfections can occur. Measles should be considered in adults with fever and interstitial pneumonia.