Measles, mumps, rubella vaccine induced subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

J Indian Med Assoc. 1997 Nov;95(11):594.

Abstract

PIP: The incidence of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by the measles virus, has declined with widespread use of measles vaccine. The risk of SSPE after measles vaccination has been estimated at 0.7/million doses. This paper reports the case of a 15-year-old girl from India who developed SSPE presumably as a result of a delayed effect of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. She presented with a 2-month history of behavioral disturbances, a deterioration in school performance, forgetfulness, silly smiling, handwriting changes, social withdrawal, and ataxia. The girl had received MMR vaccine at 9 months of age and had no past history of measles. Her measles antibody titre was 1:625 in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Measles Vaccine / adverse effects*
  • Mumps Vaccine / adverse effects*
  • Rubella Vaccine / adverse effects*
  • Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis / etiology*
  • Vaccines, Combined / adverse effects

Substances

  • Measles Vaccine
  • Mumps Vaccine
  • Rubella Vaccine
  • Vaccines, Combined