[Neuritis of the optic nerve after vaccinations against hepatitis A, hepatitis B and yellow fever].

BACKGROUND

Vaccinations are preventive measures against serious infections. In relation to the number of vaccinations per year, the incidence of severe complications is extremely low.

METHODS

Two weeks after vaccinations against hepatitis A, hepatitis B and yellow fever in preparation for a trip to Africa a 21-year-old woman experienced an acute and irreversible loss of vision to 0,05 and nasal visual field defect in the left eye. Whereas vision acuity did not recover the scotoma disappeared within 6 weeks. Cerebrospinal fluid showed a lymphocytic pleocytosis. Oligoglonale bands were absent. Pathological parameters were not presented in the serum. The MRI showed a hyperintense thickening of optic nerve,as well as a hyperintense focus in right temporal side using the T(2)W-Sequence.

CONCLUSIONS

Only few cases have been reported with neurological complications, such as encephalitis, following vaccinations each of the above mentioned. As no other causes for the inflammation were found, the optic nerve involvement must have been caused by the vaccination. Which of the three vaccinations caused encephalitis can not be classified.