Letter to the Editors

Chronic Anterior Uveitis Following Bacille Calmette Guerin Vaccination

James M. Duckers, MB Chb, MRCP; Alexander Spratt, MBBCh, MRCOphth; Anthony J. Vivian, FRCS, FRCOphth

  • Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
  • May/June 2009 - Volume 46 · Issue 3: 186-187
  • DOI: 10.9999/01913913-20090505-16
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Abstract

To the Editors:

I am writing in response to the case report “Chronic Anterior Uveitis Following Bacille Calmette–Guérin Vaccination: Molecular Mimicry in Action?” published in the July/August 2008 issue.1 The authors describe an interesting potential side effect of the bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine in a 13-year-old girl and have postulated molecular mimicry as the mechanism. They have rightly stated that side effects from routine BCG vaccination, although rare, can occur. They have encouraged ophthalmologists to be aware of the described associations of what they term a “commonly used vaccine” and have alluded to the use of the BCG vaccine as part of childhood immunization schedules.

doi: 10.9999/01913913-20090505-16

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