VACCINE

Rheumatology International • April 2008
HBV vaccine and dermatomyositis:
is there an association?
Author information
Altman A1, Szyper-Kravitz M, Shoenfeld Y.
Center for Autoimmune Diseases and Department of Medicine
Beth Sheba Tel-Hashomer, Sackler Faculty of Medicine
Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Abstract
The etiology of dermatomyositis is unknown, but immune mechanisms
play an important role. Several dermatological manifestations
have been reported among carriers of hepatitis B surface
antigen, and after vaccination with the HBV vaccine. Almost all
the skin reactions described were peculiar skin eruptions suggestive
of an immune complex reaction. Some authors described the
occurrence of dermatomyositis after BCG and influenza vaccination.
We report a case of a 6-year-old child, who was vaccinated
for hepatitis B virus and developed a flu-like disease accompanied
by a skin rash, which had the typical features of dermatomyositis.
The association of vaccination with autoimmunity is discussed.
“Several dermatological manifestations have
been reported among carriers of hepatitis B surface
antigen, and after vaccination with the HBV vaccine.
Some authors described the occurrence of
dermatomyositis after BCG and influenza vaccination.
The association of vaccination with autoimmunity is discussed.”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18034245