Severe necrotizing pancreatitis following combined hepatitis A and B vaccination

Authors

Eran Shlomovitz, University of Toronto
Ward Davies, Western University
Ewa Cairns, Western University
William C. Brintnell, Western University
Mark Goldszmidt, Western University
George K. Dresser, Western University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-30-2007

Journal

CMAJ

Volume

176

Issue

3

First Page

339

Last Page

342

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.1503/cmaj.060360

Abstract

Necrotizing pancreatitis is a severe form of pancreatitis and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. We report a case of necrotizing pancreatitis that developed following combined hepatitis A and B vaccination. No other causes of pancreatitis could be determined. Although confirming the diagnosis is challenging, 3 main factors suggest a possible link to the vaccine: the chronology of the events, the patient's human leukocyte antigen genotype and the incongruent immune response to the vaccine components. This report serves to alert physicians to the possible development of necrotizing pancreatitis after vaccination. © 2007 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors.

Notes

This article is freely available from the journal