According to recent research from Tel Hashomer, Israel, "The case reported refers to a patient who developed status epilepticus in the day of her third dose of hepatitis B vaccination and we review the literature on this subject. A 12 year-old girl, without a relevant previous history, taking no drugs, developed a seizure attack followed by unconsciousness, and eventually died after three days of her third dose of hepatitis B (HB) vaccination."

"Autopsy study revealed cerebral edema with congestion and herniation and diffuse interstitial type pneumonitis. There seem to be a straight forward time relationship between the third HB vaccine, the event of convulsion and the sudden death of the patient," wrote J.F. Decarvalho and colleagues (see also Immunization).

The researchers concluded: "We suggest that, in some cases, vaccination may be the triggering factor for autoimmune and neurological disturbances in genetically predisposed individuals and physicians should be aware of this possible association."

Decarvalho and colleagues published their study in European Journal of Internal Medicine (Status epilepticus and lymphocytic pneumonitis following hepatitis B vaccination. European Journal of Internal Medicine, 2008;19(5):383-385).

For additional information, contact Y. Shoenfeld, Chaim Sheba Med Center, Dept. of Med B, IL-52621 Tel Hashomer, Israel.

Publisher contact information for the European Journal of Internal Medicine is: Elsevier Science BV, PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Keywords: Israel, Tel Hashomer, Autopsy, Biotechnology, Edema, Epilepsy, Gastroenterology, HBV, Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatology, Immunization, Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine, Pneumonia, Seizures, Status Epilepticus, Surgery, Unconsciousness, Vaccination, Vaccines, Virology.

This article was prepared by Medical Device Law Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Medical Device Law Weekly via NewsRx.com.