Chronic anterior uveitis following bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccination: molecular mimicry in action?

J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2008 Jul-Aug;45(4):252-3. doi: 10.3928/01913913-20080701-15.

Abstract

A 13-year-old girl developed bilateral chronic anterior uveitis following bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination. HLA testing was negative for B27 but positive for DRB1 *0404, a variant of DR4 often associated with rheumatoid arthritis. The authors propose her HLA repertoire allowed for a BCG-induced abnormal autoimmune response by the mechanism of molecular mimicry.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Alleles
  • BCG Vaccine / adverse effects*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality
  • HLA-DR Antigens / genetics
  • HLA-DRB1 Chains
  • Humans
  • Molecular Mimicry / genetics*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Tuberculosis / prevention & control
  • Uveitis, Anterior / etiology*
  • Uveitis, Anterior / genetics
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • BCG Vaccine
  • HLA DRB1*04:04 antigen
  • HLA-DR Antigens
  • HLA-DRB1 Chains