[Postvaccine vasculitis: a report of three cases]

Rev Med Interne. 2001 Feb;22(2):172-6. doi: 10.1016/s0248-8663(00)00307-6.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Introduction: Vaccines may be responsible for adverse effects, mainly local fugitive and benign reactions. However, few cases of systemic vasculitis have been described. We report three new cases, suggesting the responsibility of vaccination in starting or reactivating systemic vasculitis.

Exegesis: We report two cases in a 64- and a 68-year-old woman with polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritis after influenza and tetanus vaccination respectively, and one case in a 30-year-old man with periarteritis nodosa after hepatitis B vaccination.

Conclusion: Knowledge of such complications deserve to be expanded in order to: 1) avoid re-immunisations which are likely to result in more serious consequences; 2) avoid aggravation or reactivation of a vasculitis; and 3) control serology before hepatitis B vaccination in all persons at risk of HBV infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biopsy
  • Female
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / diagnosis
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / drug therapy
  • Giant Cell Arteritis / etiology*
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Influenza Vaccines / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polyarteritis Nodosa / diagnosis
  • Polyarteritis Nodosa / drug therapy
  • Polyarteritis Nodosa / etiology*
  • Polymyalgia Rheumatica / diagnosis
  • Polymyalgia Rheumatica / drug therapy
  • Polymyalgia Rheumatica / etiology*
  • Steroids
  • Tetanus Toxoid / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines
  • Influenza Vaccines
  • Steroids
  • Tetanus Toxoid