Severe postvaccinia encephalitis with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis: recovery with early intravenous immunoglobulin, high-dose steroids, and vaccinia immunoglobulin.

Abstract

We report the second case of severe postvaccinial encephalitis with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis since smallpox vaccination was reintroduced in 2002. Both affected patients responded dramatically with early intervention of intravenous immunoglobulin. Our patient, who also received concurrent vaccinia immunoglobulin and corticosteroids, demonstrated full recovery.

• Authors: Cornelius N Van Dam, Samina Syed, Joseph J Eron, Matthew Ostrander, Renata J M Engler, Inger Damon, Jay R Montgomery, Suxiang Tong, Adaora A Adimora, Kevin A Kahn, Susan Ruone, Larry Anderson, David J Weber
• Journal: Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (Clin Infect Dis) Vol. 48 Issue 4 Pg. e47-9 (Feb 15 2009) ISSN: 1537-6591 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19133803 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
• Immunologic Factors
• Smallpox Vaccine
• Steroids

Topics

• Adult
• Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated (chemically induced, drug therapy)
• Humans
• Immunoglobulins, Intravenous (therapeutic use)
• Immunologic Factors (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Smallpox Vaccine (adverse effects)
• Steroids (therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome
• Vaccinia (complications, drug therapy)
• Young Adult