Multiple evanescent white dot syndrome following simultaneous hepatitis-A and yellow fever vaccination

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (MEWDS) following simultaneous hepatitis-A virus (HAV) and yellow fever (YF) vaccination.

Methods: Review of the clinical, laboratory, photographic, and angiographic records of a patient suffering from MEWDS.

Results: A healthy 50-year-old woman presented with rapidly progressive left-eye visual loss, associated with photopsias and a para-central scotoma, one week after receiving simultaneous HAV and YF vaccination. Both anterior segments and right-eye fundus were unremarkable. Fundus examination of the left-eye disclosed papillitis with multiple, small, white, outer-retinal lesions. Angiographic tests were pathognomonic for MEWDS. Perimetry revealed left-eye blind spot enlargement. Initial inflammatory/infectious work-up was negative. Signs and symptoms resolved spontaneously within 6 weeks, with concomitant normalization of ancillary exams.

Conclusions: The clinical presentation and the benign course were consistent with the diagnosis of MEWDS. No other aetiopathogenic factor than simultaneous HAV and YF immunization was identified, suggesting an autoimmune basis for MEWDS in predisposed patients.