skin health

Spots of Köplik - Causes and Symptoms

Definition

Köplik stains are pathognomonic manifestations of measles (they represent an unequivocal sign of the disease). They appear 2-4 days from the beginning of the prodromal phase of measles, about 24-48 hours before the exanthematous period. They appear as whitish, cluster lesions, located on the oral mucosa, near the first and second molar of the upper dental arch.

Köplik stains resemble grains of white sand, about 1-2 millimeters in diameter, surrounded by an inflammatory halo. The lesions can also be disseminated, thus appearing as a patchy erythema spread throughout the oral mucosa. In some cases, they can also occur in the vaginal mucosa and conjunctiva.

Köplik stains generally remain for 24-48 hours and resolve with the appearance of the maculo-papular cutaneous eruption typical of measles.

Possible Causes * of Köplik Spots

  • Measles