Case studies of demyelinating conditions following administration of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and polio vaccine have been reported…
This report further contributes to the database of central nervous system demyelinating conditions affiliated with receipt of vaccines.
A previously healthy 27-year-old Hispanic man presented to an emergency department with headache, periorbital pressure, pain with ocular movements, and intermittent blurred vision that developed 1 day after administration of the diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and inactivated poliovirus combined vaccine. A diagnosis of optic neuritis was made…
Although the association between immunizations and the onset of central nervous system demyelinating conditions is well documented, this report, to the best of our knowledge, is the first case of optic neuritis following diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and inactivated poliovirus combined vaccination.
DTaP-IPV is widely used in young children… Although clinical trials have shown an excellent safety profile, there have been reports of encephalitis, angioneurotic edema, seizures, and serious local reactions following it’s administration.
A 27-year-old Hispanic man with no significant past medical history presented to an emergency department with a 5-day history of headache, pain with ocular movements, and intermittent blurred vision starting 1 day after being immunized with DTaP-IPV.
Over the next 5 days, his vision declined…
He was diagnosed as having DTaP-IPV vaccination-related optic neuritis…
Molecular mimicry from the viral proteins or the adjuvants used in the preparation of the vaccine have been suspected in the development of demyelinating disease following vaccination. Molecular mimicry occurs when similarities exist between proteins of viruses used in vaccinations and the components of CNS myelin which may disrupt self-tolerance and cause production of autoantibodies resulting in CNS inflammation including optic neuritis.
Our case is consistent with other cases of post-vaccination optic neuritis, most of which develop 1–3 weeks after vaccination, typical of an immune-triggered mechanism.