Eosinophilic-lymphocytic myocarditis after smallpox vaccination

Joseph G. Murphy, R. Scott Wright, G. Keith Bruce, Larry M. Baddour, Michael A. Farrell, William D. Edwards, Hirohito Kita, Leslie T. Cooper

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

48 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1378-1380
Number of pages3
JournalLancet
Volume362
Issue number9393
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 25 2003

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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