Eosinophilic-lymphocytic myocarditis after smallpox vaccination.
case_report · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 14585641.
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Abstract
Smallpox is an eradicated viral disease that has re-emerged as a potential bioterrorism threat. Smallpox vaccination was historically the most effective defence measure against wild smallpox virus. The risk of myopericarditis after vaccination might limit this option. We report a case of biopsy-proven eosinophilic-lymphocytic myocarditis diagnosed in vivo with histological evidence for eosinophil-mediated cardiac myocyte necrosis shortly after smallpox vaccination. Furthermore, we report a beneficial haemodynamic response to high-dose corticosteroids. A better understanding of the aberrant immune mechanism of myocyte injury after smallpox vaccination might improve the risk/benefit assessment for people considering smallpox vaccination and better smallpox vaccines in the future.
Medical subject headings
- Myocarditis
- Smallpox Vaccine
- Vaccination