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Encephalitis in a Child during Atypical Course of Rubella

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Abstract

Rubella is usually encountered as a mild viral illness in children and complications are not common. We reported rubella encephalitis in the atypical course of rubella without rash in a 9-year-old boy. He was admitted with a headache, fever, loss of consciousness and bilateral retroauricular lymphadenopathy. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination showed lymphocytic pleocytosis, increased protein levels and a normal glucose value. Immunoglobulin (Ig) M antibodies against rubella virus were positive in CSF and serum. IgG antibody also became positive in his serum 3 weeks after his admittance. We emphasized that rubella may appear without any rash and cause encephalitis. In unvaccinated children, rubella should be considered in the differential diagnosis of encephalitis.

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Correspondence to E. Guler.

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Guler, E., Davutoglu, M., Guler, S. et al. Encephalitis in a Child during Atypical Course of Rubella. Infection 37, 65–66 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-007-6322-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-007-6322-6

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