Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis: Association with meningococcal A and C vaccine. Case report

Abstract

A 25-year-old woman developed acute disseminated post-vaccinal encephalomyelitis (ADEM) following vaccination with A plus C meningococcal vaccine (Pasteur-Merieux). Fast disappearance of symptoms and gradual resolution of MRI demyelinating lesions occurred after steroid treatment with high doses of intravenous methylprednisolone. To our knowledge, ADEM has not been previously described in association with meningococcal vaccine. Although most cases of ADEM occur following viral infections and vaccination, the syndrome has previously been related to leptospirosis and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections. This suggests that it may also be related to exposure to polysaccharide-protein vaccines such as the Group A plus Group C meningococcal vaccine.