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Longitudinal myelitis associated with yellow fever vaccination
M Chaves1, P Riccio, L Patrucco
1Department of Neurology Department, Hospital Italiano Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina. marcelo.chaves@hospitalitaliano.org.ar
Journal of Neurovirology
|July 7, 2009
Summary
Yellow fever vaccination can cause rare neurotropic disease. A case report details longitudinal myelitis following yellow fever vaccine, confirmed by antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Yellow fever (YF) vaccine-associated neurotropic disease is a severe adverse event.
- This includes postvaccinal encephalitis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Observation:
- A 56-year-old man developed progressive paraparesia, urinary retention, and constipation 45 days after YF vaccination.
- Spinal MRI revealed longitudinal intramedullary hyperintense signal.
- High YFV-specific IgM antibodies were detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Findings:
- This is the first report of longitudinal myelitis as a serious adverse event associated with YF vaccination.
- Serological confirmation of YFV antibodies in CSF was established.
- This case occurred in Argentina, marking the first such report in South America.
Implications:
- This case highlights a previously unreported neurological complication of YF vaccination.
- Increased awareness and reporting of YF vaccine adverse events in South America are crucial.
- Further research may improve understanding of YF vaccine's neurological adverse reactions.
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