Persistence of Measles Virus and Depression of Antibody Formation in Patients with Giant-Cell Pneumonia after Measles

IN the previous paper1 isolation of measles virus in 3 cases of giant-cell pneumonia (Hecht) without associated signs and symptoms of measles was described. These findings provide direct evidence in support of the hypothesis long current that this form of pneumonia may be caused by this agent. The present communication presents the results of studies of 4 leukemic children with overt measles complicated by severe pneumonitis (Table 1). The data supplement the evidence already obtained for measles virus in cases of giant-cell pneumonia without clinically apparent measles. They also indicate that the presumptive diagnosis of this condition can be made . . .