Elevated serum anti-phosphatidylcholine IgG antibodies in patients with influenza vaccination-associated optic neuritis.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Because the optic nerve is mainly comprised from phospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine, the association between optic neuritis, anti-phospholipids antibodies and vaccination was examined. SUBJECTS: Two female pediatric patients suddenly presented bilateral optic neuritis after administration of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine. METHODS: These two patients and another 11 patients with central nervous system demyelinating diseases were examined these anti-phospholipids antibodies. And immune histopathology was examined using serum derived from a patient with optic neuritis. RESULTS: High serum titer of anti-phosphatidylcholine antibody levels were detected during acute phase in patients with optic neuritis. The patient's serum IgG antibodies were found to have stained the capillary endotheliums in the preserved autopsied optic nerve. Patients with optic neuritis had significantly elevated serum levels of anti-phosphatidylcholine antibody in comparison to the other patients without optic neuritis. CONCLUSION: Anti-phosphatidylcholine antibodies may be one of the causes of optic neuritis.