MMR Vaccine Susceptibility of Viral Agents Causing Meningitis and Meningoencephalitis in Children.

BACKGROUND Meningitis and meningoencephalitis are very adverse drug reactions that had not been documented in clinical studies. Nevertheless, cases were reported within the post marketing period. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence, clinical and laboratory characteristics of aseptic meningitis and meningoencephalitis following Hoshino MMR (Mumps-Measles-Rubella) vaccine in children. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, children who were diagnosed with meningitis following MMR vaccine in an infectious or emergency department of the Tehran Medical Center were enrolled, and their demographic information was recorded from the file. A questionnaire concerning diagnostic criteria in favor of aseptic meningitis was provided for each child and the results of clinical examinations were recorded. RESULTS This study was performed on 73 children with meningitis symptoms of aspiration, where, 46 of the children were males and 27 were females. Prevalence of meningitis-related symptoms were: fever 66%, headache 49.3%, nausea and vomiting 74%, parotid swelling 0%, and meningeal symptoms 37%. Lab tests showed that 8.2% of patients had normal WBC whereas, 76.7% had abnormal levels. CONCLUSION Our study showed that following MMR vaccine, in children with meningitis symptoms, nausea and vomiting followed by fever were most commonly seen symptoms.