VACCINE

Neuropediatrics • October 2013
Association of acute cerebellar ataxia
and human papilloma virus vaccination:
a case report
Author information
Yonee C1, Toyoshima M, Maegaki Y, Kodama Y,
Hayami H, Takahashi Y, Kusunoki S, Uchibori A, Chiba A, Kawano Y.
Department of Pediatrics
Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences
Kagoshima University, Kagoshima City
Kagoshima, Japan
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
We report the case of a patient who developed symptoms of acute cerebellar
ataxia (ACA) after administration of the human papilloma virus (HPV)-16/18
vaccine.
PATIENT AND METHOD
This patient developed symptoms of ACA, including nausea, vertigo, severe
limb and truncal ataxia, and bilateral spontaneous continuous horizontal nystagmus
with irregular rhythm, 12 days after administration of the HPV-16/18
AS04-adjuvanted cervical cancer vaccine. After this, the patient received methylprednisolone
pulse and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapies as well
as immunoadsorption plasmapheresis.
“This temporal association
strongly suggests that
acute cerebellar ataxia
was induced by the vaccination.”
RESULTS
Severe ACA symptoms did not improve after methylprednisolone pulse and
IVIG therapies, but the patient recovered completely after immunoadsorption
plasmapheresis.
CONCLUSION
This temporal association strongly suggests that ACA
was induced by the vaccination.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=23378179