AJIM2301 - CME/CMLE - The Reemergence of Measles: What Every Pathologists Needs to Know-The Reemergence of Measles: What Every Pathologists Needs to Know

The Reemergence of Measles: What Every Pathologists Needs to Know

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The document discusses the reemergence of measles, attributed to factors like vaccine hesitancy and political crises, causing a resurgence in cases in developed countries. Pathologists are urged to be familiar with the histopathologic features of measles to aid in early diagnosis and prevent spread. Analyzing archived tissue samples from historical patients, the study identified distinct histopathologic features of measles in various tissues during different phases of the disease. The findings highlight the acute and chronic changes caused by measles, with a focus on respiratory, lymphoid, and central nervous systems. The importance of recognizing specific features like Warthin-Finkeldey cells and multinucleated giant cells for diagnosis is emphasized.<br /><br />The study identified various histopathologic findings associated with measles, including the presence of distinctive cells in tissues like the lung, thymus, appendix, tonsils, and brain. These findings provide crucial insights into the impact of measles on different organs and the role of bacterial infections in complicating the disease, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Additionally, the study discussed the neurologic complications of measles, such as encephalitis and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, underscoring the long-term consequences of the infection.<br /><br />Furthermore, the document addresses the challenges in detecting measles virus messenger RNA in archival tissue and the limitations of electron microscopy for identifying the virus in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. The educational value of the study is highlighted through the provision of digital slides with clinical data, aiding in the understanding and diagnosis of measles-related histopathologic features. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the significant morbidity and mortality associated with measles, particularly in respiratory and neurologic complications, and underscores the importance of pathologists in measles diagnosis and research.

Keywords

measles

vaccine hesitancy

political crises

histopathologic features

early diagnosis

resurgence

Warthin-Finkeldey cells

multinucleated giant cells

neurologic complications

bacterial infections