An unusual case of Behçet's syndrome: Triggered by typhoid vaccination ?

E.S. Molloy¹, F.C. Powell², M.F. Doran¹, J.G. Ryan¹, N.J. Mulligan³, C.J. McCarthy¹, M.T. Keogan⁴, G.M. McCarthy¹

Departments of ¹Rheumatology, ²Dermatology, ³Pathology and 4Immunology, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.

ABSTRACT 
A case of Behçet's syndrome in a 32-year-old woman occurring shortly after her third vaccination against typhoid fever is described. Scleritis and pyoderma gangrenosum were unusual manifestations of BS that occurred in this case. Treatment benefit was provided by mycophenolate mofetil and etanercept. As bacterial antigens have been proposed as potential triggers for the onset of BS, it is possible that the syndrome was precipitated by typhoid vaccination in this patient. 

Key words
Behçet's syndrome, typhoid vaccination, mycophenolate mofetil, vasculitis, bullous pyoderma gangrenosum, scleritis, etanercept.

Please address correspondence to: Dr Eamonn Molloy, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, 123 St Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Ireland. 
E-mail: emolloy2@rcsi.ie

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2004; 22 (Suppl. 34): S71-S74.
© Copyright Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2004.