Acute retinal necrosis following recombinant subunit varicella-zoster virus vaccine

Abstract

Purpose Previously, secondary prevention of herpes zoster required live-attenuated vaccination, which is contraindicated in immunocompromised populations. More recently, a recombinant subunit vaccine (Shingrix, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Iatrogenic varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection is theoretically impossible as it does not contain a live virus. We present a case of acute retinal necrosis (ARN) and disseminated zoster after receiving the recombinant subunit vaccine. Observations A 65-year-old woman with past medical history of multiple myeloma treated with a previous autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant and now with daratumumab and pomalidomide developed disseminated zoster and subsequently acute retinal necrosis weeks after receiving the zoster subunit vaccine. Molecular testing confirmed the presence of VZV, and the absence of herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, and toxoplasmosis. The VZV was found to be genotypically wildtype and not related to the Oka strain used in the live-attenuated zoster vaccine. She was treated with systemic valacyclovir and intravitreal foscarnet. Conclusions and importance This is the first report of VZV infection following the zoster subunit vaccine. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended the recombinant subunit vaccine over the live-attenuated vaccine due to its superior efficacy. The off-label use of the subunit vaccine in immunocompromised populations has been supported up to this point by studies demonstrating its relative safety. Though post-vaccination VZV infection or reactivation appears to be rare, clinicians should be aware of this potential complication to the recombinant subunit vaccine.

Ocular adverse events following vaccination: overview and update

“…breakthrough) with the recombinant vaccine is 6.1/100,000. 40 , 102 Chen and coworkers 15 reported a 68-year-old immunosuppressed woman who developed ARN eight weeks after receiving the recombinant zoster vaccine. Harvested tissue identified wild strain virus.…”

Ocular effects caused by viral infections and corresponding vaccines: An overview of varicella zoster virus, measles virus, influenza viruses, hepatitis B virus, and SARS-CoV-2

“…A single case of ARN and disseminated zoster after receiving the recombinant subunit vaccine has also been described in a 65-year-old woman with past medical history of multiple myeloma ( 64 ). Though post-vaccination VZV infection or reactivation appears to be rare, clinicians should be aware of this potential complication to the recombinant subunit vaccine.…”

Uveitis reactivation following recombinant zoster vaccination

“…A recent report characterized a case of acute retinal necrosis following RZV. 6 As RZV does not contain infectious virus, this most likely represented a failure of efficacy in boosting immunity to VZV. There have been two reports of recurrent keratitis after vaccination with RZV.…”