Severe ARDS without exanthem: atypical measles in advanced HIV

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2026

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Authors: Venkata Swathi Kiran Pothumarthy, Rathan Kamath, Nitin Ranjan Gupta, P S Priya, Danavath Nagendra, Tirlangi Praveen Kumar
DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trag003
Cited by: 0
References: 9

Abstract

Measles remains a leading vaccine-preventable cause of viral pneumonia worldwide. In people with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) its course is often atypical, lacking the hallmark rash and progressing rapidly to respiratory failure. We report a case of measles virus-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome in a profoundly immunosuppressed woman with HIV and chronic hepatitis B who failed to respond to ribavirin. This case underscores the diagnostic challenge of rash-less measles in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, the narrow therapeutic window for antivirals and the urgent need to integrate adult measles screening and vaccination into HIV care.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Virology and Viral Diseases Respiratory viral infections research Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections

Publication details

Journal / source
Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume
120
Issue
4
Pages
411–413
Publication date
9 January 2026
Language
EN