Jaime Inostroza, United States of America
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center PediatricsAuthor Of 1 Presentation
THE HETEROLOGOUS EFFECT OF S. PNEUMONIAE POLYSACCHARIDE VACCINES. A CASE REPORT (ID 821)
Abstract
Background
There is growing evidence that S. pneumoniae vaccines that are currently used to prevent specific infections also have heterologous effects on other infections or pathologies. Here we report a patient who improved his chronic dermatitis dramatically after pneumococcal immunization.
Methods
A 45-year-old adult patient was evaluated for a possible infectious or immune cause of a treatment resistant, disabling dermatitis of 4 years duration. No identifiably infectious cause was ever found. Immunity, including antibodies against S. pneumoniae, were normal. He was given a 13-valent conjugate vaccine followed by the 23-valent polysaccharide six weeks later.
Results
The patient had a complete clearing of lesion without additional medication after he was given the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. Improvement lasted 2 years. No medications were needed to maintain his healthy skin. After 2 years, dermatitis recurred. It cleared after a repeat 13-valente conjugate vaccine administration.
Conclusions
S. pneumoniae polysaccharide vaccine can improve conditions unrelated to pneumococcal infections. This effect is not dependent on having a detectable specific antibody deficiency involving S. pneumoniae antibodies.