Encephalitis Complicating Smallpox Vaccination

> Encephalitis Complicating Smallpox Vaccination

       

Return to Vaccination News Home Page  __»   Right-click to "open in new window"

Subscribe to the Vaccination NewsLetter

View past & current Scandals (columns by Sandy Mintz)

Search This Site using keywords

http://archneur.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/60/7/925

Vol. 60 No. 7, July 2003 TABLE OF CONTENTS
  Featured Link
 •  E-mail Alerts
Neurological Review
 Article Options
 • Full text
 • PDF
 • Send to a Friend
 • Readers Reply
   •Submit a reply
 • Related articles in this issue
 • Similar articles in this journal
 Literature Track
 • Add to File Drawer
 • Download to Citation Manager
 • PubMed citation
 • Articles in PubMed by
   •Miravalle A
   •Roos KL
 • Contact me when this article is cited
 Topic Collections
 • Immunization
 • Review
 • Encephalitis
 • Drug Therapy
 • Adverse Effects
 • Public Health
 • Collection E-mail Alerts


Encephalitis Complicating Smallpox Vaccination

Augusto Miravalle, MD; Karen L. Roos, MD
 

Arch Neurol. 2003;60:925-928.

A smallpox vaccination program has been initiated. The vaccine is a live virus that was used in the last century. Postvaccinal encephalitis is a complication of this vaccine. The clinical presentation, course, neuroimaging findings, and spinal fluid abnormalities are similar to a disorder that physicians are familiar with, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. This complication can be prevented with the administration of antivaccinia gamma globulin at the time of vaccination. Antivaccinia gamma globulin is not efficacious once this complication occurs. Intravenous methylprednisolone is the recommended therapy, although intravenous immunoglobulin and plasmapheresis should be investigated in the treatment of postvaccinal encephalitis.
From the Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, and Indiana University Hospital, Indianapolis.

RELATED ARTICLES IN ARCHIVES OF NEUROLOGY

This Month in Archives of Neurology
Arch Neurol. 2003;60:922.

© 2003 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.

Return to Vaccination News Home Page  __»   Right-click to "open in new window"

DISCLAIMER:    All information, data, and material contained, presented, or provided here is for general information purposes only and is not to be construed as reflecting the knowledge or opinions of the publisher, and is not to be construed or intended as providing medical or legal advice.  The decision whether or not to vaccinate is an important and complex issue and should be made by you, and you alone, in consultation with your health care provider.