Unilateral uveitis following adjuvanted Varicella-Zoster subunit vaccine in a patient with previously resolved Varicella Zoster acute retinal necrosis

Abstract Purpose To report a case of intraocular inflammation following adjuvanted recombinant Varicella-Zoster subunit vaccine (RZV) in a patient with previously resolved VZV-related acute retinal necrosis (ARN). Methods Single case report. Multimodal imaging, including true-color fundus photograph...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: A. Trinco, F. Zicarelli, F. Romano, M. Oldani, A. Riva, A. Invernizzi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-08-01
Series:Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12348-025-00508-3
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Summary:Abstract Purpose To report a case of intraocular inflammation following adjuvanted recombinant Varicella-Zoster subunit vaccine (RZV) in a patient with previously resolved VZV-related acute retinal necrosis (ARN). Methods Single case report. Multimodal imaging, including true-color fundus photography, spectral-domain (SD-OCT) and dye-based angiography, was used to evaluate the retinal alterations. Results A 73-year-old male, with past history of VZV-related acute retinal necrosis (ARN) developed unilateral cystoid macular edema and diffuse blood-retinal barrier (BRB) breakdown in the affected eye after receiving the second dose of RZV vaccine. A complete resolution of this complication was observed after a short course of systemic corticosteroids. Conclusion Our case suggests a possible pathogen-specific intraocular inflammatory reaction, resembling immune reconstitution uveitis (IRU), following RZV administration in a patient with previously resolved VZV-related ARN. While RZV remains safe, intraocular inflammation should be considered as a possible side effect in patients with previously resolved VZV uveitis.
ISSN:1869-5760