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A Rubella Epidemic in Sasebo, Japan in 1957, with Various Complications
Author(s) -
Moriuchi Hiroyuki,
Yamasaki Shiro,
Mori Koichi,
Sakai Masayoshi,
Tsuji Yoshiro
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
pediatrics international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.49
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1442-200X
pISSN - 1328-8067
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-200x.1990.tb00786.x
Subject(s) - medicine , rubella , pediatrics , encephalitis , congenital rubella syndrome , vaccination , thrombocytopenic purpura , measles , meningitis , myocarditis , incidence (geometry) , pneumonia , congenital rubella , immunology , virus , platelet , physics , optics
Though the rubella vaccination programme for adolescent girls was introduced in Japan in 1977, rubella epidemics have occurred repeatedly. Also in Sasebo, Japan in 1987, we experienced various complications as follows: encephalitis (five cases), meningitis (three), thrombocytopenic purpura (four), vascular purpura (four), hemolytic anemia (two), pneumonia (eight), protein‐losing gastroenteropathy (one), multiple organ disorder with encephalitis, purpura, myocarditis, hepatic and renal dysfunction (one), and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS: three). Disorders ranging over multiple organs seem to occur in acquired as well as congenital rubella infection. The incidence of encephalitis was estimated to be 1: 1600 cases of rubella and two of five cases were apparently serious. Though the strategy for preventing rubella has been directed only against CRS, we should note the various and severe complications with acquired rubella infection, and should adopt two‐stepped protection: vaccination of young children of both sexes and of adolescent girls.