Erythema multiforme after meningitis vaccine: patient safety concerns with repeat immunization.
A 20-year-old college student developed an immunologic hypersensitivity reaction, erythema multiforme minor, 1-2 weeks after receiving a meningococcal conjugate vaccine. He had no history of erythema multiforme, nor had he received any other vaccine or drug therapy. The temporal relationship between the development of erythema multiforme and the vaccination suggests that the meningitis vaccine probably was the causal agent. The occurrence of this distinct cutaneous reaction, with the potential for a serious complication such as erythema multiforme major or Stevens-Johnson syndrome on rechallenge, should serve as a warning against repeated booster vaccinations in patients who develop reactions such as this one.
Studdiford
James
J
Department of Family and Community Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. james.studdiford@jefferson.edu
Oppenheim
Laura
L
McCann
Edward
E
Altshuler
Marc
M
D000328:Adult; D004155:Diphenhydramine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D004892:Erythema Multiforme / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D008297:Male; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate / Q000009:adverse effects*
D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate; D004155:Diphenhydramine