Diagnostic Challenges of Rubella Encephalitis in an Epileptic Adolescent

A Case Report from Ecuador

Authors

  • Galo Guillermo Farfán-Cano Society of Infectious Diseases of Guayas
  • Dr. Richard Pachay Adults Intermediate Care Unit from Northern Guayaquil General Hospital “Los Ceibos,” Ecuador
  • Dra. Lisette Moran Mosquera Adults Intermediate Care Unit from Northern Guayaquil General Hospital “Los Ceibos,” Ecuador
  • Dr. Dunia Quintero Adults Intermediate Care Unit from Northern Guayaquil General Hospital “Los Ceibos,” Ecuador
  • Dr. Ely Andrade Adults Intermediate Care Unit from Northern Guayaquil General Hospital “Los Ceibos,” Ecuador

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31005/iajmh.v9.283.2026

Keywords:

Encephalitis, Viral, Rubella virus, Epilepsy, Status Epilepticus, Precision medicine, Diagnosis, Differential, Antiviral Agents, Developing Countries, Hospitalization, Health Resources

Abstract

We present a case of rubella-associated encephalitis in an adolescent with a history of epilepsy, who was admitted with new-onset convulsive status epilepticus. Despite the absence of rash or fever, rubella IgM/IgG seropositivity and the clinical response to acyclovir supported the diagnosis. Diagnostic limitations included lack of PCR and high-throughput sequencing (HTS) access. This case highlights the need for empirical management, interdisciplinary evaluation, and broader diagnostic capacity in second-level hospitals in low-income and middle-income countries.

Author Biographies

Galo Guillermo Farfán-Cano, Society of Infectious Diseases of Guayas

I am a General practitioner, graduated from the University of Guayaquil in 2011. I get a Master 's degree in HIV Infection from King Juan Carlos University in 2015. Since December of 2016, I am a board member of the Society of Infectious Diseases of Guayas (SIG - Sociedad de Infectología del Guayas)

Dr. Richard Pachay, Adults Intermediate Care Unit from Northern Guayaquil General Hospital “Los Ceibos,” Ecuador

Intensive Care Specialist from Universidad de Especialidades Espiritu Santo, Ecuador.

Adults Intermediate Care Unit from Northern Guayaquil General Hospital “Los Ceibos,” Ecuador.

Dra. Lisette Moran Mosquera, Adults Intermediate Care Unit from Northern Guayaquil General Hospital “Los Ceibos,” Ecuador

Intensive care  Specialist from University of Specialities Espiritu Santo, Ecuador.

Adults Intermediate Care Unit from Northern Guayaquil General Hospital “Los Ceibos,” Ecuador.

Dr. Dunia Quintero, Adults Intermediate Care Unit from Northern Guayaquil General Hospital “Los Ceibos,” Ecuador

General Practitioner from the University of Guayaquil, and Adults Intermediate Care Unit from Northern Guayaquil General Hospital “Los Ceibos,” Ecuador.

Dr. Ely Andrade, Adults Intermediate Care Unit from Northern Guayaquil General Hospital “Los Ceibos,” Ecuador

Intensive care specialist from Universidad Del Salvador, Argentina.

Head of Adults Intermediate Care Unit from Northern Guayaquil General Hospital “Los Ceibos,” Ecuador.

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Published

2026-05-29

How to Cite

Farfán-Cano, G. G., Pachay-Mora , R., Moran-Mosquera, L., Quintero-Lopez, D., & Andrade-Mejia , E. G. (2026). Diagnostic Challenges of Rubella Encephalitis in an Epileptic Adolescent: A Case Report from Ecuador. InterAmerican Journal of Medicine and Health, 9. https://doi.org/10.31005/iajmh.v9.283.2026

Issue

Vol. 9 (2026)

Section

Case Report

License

Copyright (c) 2026 InterAmerican Journal of Medicine and Health

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.