[Complications of measles in adult Africans. Apropos of 95 cases]

85 cases of measles with complications have been reported in Agades (Niger) from September 1983 to March 1985. The patients were all adults more than 15 years of age. Such complications are more frequent during winter season. The disease is superposable to the one observed in children: same course, same types of complications (superinfection, undernutrition, dehydration, broken compensation of a parasitosis, encephalitis). Mortality rate is next to the one observed in child (18.2%). Death occurs mainly in women (15 women/1 man). The more often fatal complications are: laryngitis, subcutaneous, emphysema, encephalitis, pernicious malaria, pregnancy complications. It appears highly desirable to extend to adults not yet diseased the immunisation campaign carried out for children.