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TWO CASES OF ACUTE RETINAL NECROSIS DUE TO VARICELLA ZOSTER DESPITE PRIOR SHINGLES VACCINATION
Eric J Weinlander1, Angeline L Wang, Pimkwan Jaru-Ampornpan
1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin.
Retinal Cases & Brief Reports
|March 15, 2017
Summary
Shingles vaccination does not guarantee complete protection against varicella zoster virus-related acute retinal necrosis in adults. However, vaccination may lessen the severity of this serious ocular condition.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Acute retinal necrosis (ARN) is a severe intraocular inflammation typically caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV).
- The VZV vaccine is recommended for adults to prevent herpes zoster (shingles) and its complications.
Observation:
- Two adult male patients, aged 62 and 64, developed unilateral ARN.
- Both patients had received the shingles vaccine 16 and 7 months prior to symptom onset.
- Varicella zoster virus was confirmed in the anterior chamber via polymerase chain reaction.
Findings:
- Despite prior vaccination, both patients experienced VZV-induced ARN.
- Treatment with oral antiviral agents and corticosteroids resulted in a positive clinical response in both cases.
Implications:
- Shingles vaccination may not offer absolute protection against VZV-related ARN.
- Vaccination might mitigate the severity of ARN, suggesting a potential benefit in reducing disease impact.
