Nodular residua of atypical measles pneumonia

Abstract

Atypical measles pneumonia should be considered an explanation for nodular pulmonary lesions in older children and young adults. The disorder can develop in children immunized with inactivated measles virus vaccine who are then exposed to natural measles virus. Individuals given the vaccine when it was used (1961--1968) are now at risk to develop atypical measles pneumonia. This pneumonia may have a lobar or diffuse bronchopneumonia pattern. Three cases of this disorder are described. In one case, radiography showed calcification in the nodules 6 years after the pneumonia. Complicated and possibly hazardous workups can be avoided by awareness of this disease.