Atypical exanthem following exposure to natural measles: Eleven cases in children previously inoculated with killed vaccine

Abstract

A severe illness characterized by high fever, tachypnea, myalgia, prostration, and an atypical exanthem occurred after exposure to measles in children previously immunized with killed measles vaccine. Laboratory and epidemiological data were suggestive of recent measles infection. Other previously immunized children had local reactions at the site of injection of live measles vaccine. The host response to subsequent challenge with live measles virus is apparently sometimes altered by prior vaccination with inactivated measles vaccine, but the exact mechanisms remain obscure. A severe illness characterized by high fever, tachypnea, myalgia, prostration, and an atypical exanthem occurred after exposure to measles in children previously immunized with killed measles vaccine. Laboratory and epidemiological data were suggestive of recent measles infection. Other previously immunized children had local reactions at the site of injection of live measles vaccine. The host response to subsequent challenge with live measles virus is apparently sometimes altered by prior vaccination with inactivated measles vaccine, but the exact mechanisms remain obscure.