MOLECULAR MIMICRY AT PLAY: POST-MUMPS ADEM IN A FULLY VACCINATED CHILD

Abstract

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), being an inflammatory, demyelinating disorder following an infection or immunization is due to molecular mimicry induced by the exposure triggering CNS autoantigen production. We report a case of a developmentally normal ,fully immunized  child who developed weakness of both the upper and lower limb with features of encephalopathy with MRI brain showing hyperintensities of the basal ganglia ,thalamus ,pons and mid brain .The weakness followed an infection with mumps a week earlier ,which was proved serologically by raised IgM titres in blood .The Child was symptomatically manged and responded favourably with pulse methylprednisolone therapy and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy  .This case  is reported due to the  rarity of presentation of a ADEM following mumps infection  in a fully vaccinated child .