Needlestick and infection with horse vaccine.

Abstract

This report describes a case of accidental needlestick injury involving a live equine vaccination, Equilis StrepE. A vet presented herself to the Emergency Department having accidentally injected herself with an equine vaccination. Her left thumb (injury site) was inflamed and had lymphangitis progressing proximally along her left arm. Her inflammatory markers were not raised. The swelling, erythma and lymphangitis had improved markedly with intravenous antibiotics. She had no sequelae at follow-up. Equilis StrepE is a vaccine for submucosal administration containing a modified live avirulent strain of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (Strain TW). Group C streptococci infections are pathogenic in horses and uncommon in humans. A search of the literature revealed no prior case report of similar adverse reaction to this vaccine. The vaccine may have harmful effect on human health, if injected accidentally but more evidence needs to be collected.

• Authors: Robin N Thompson, Brian P McNicholl
• Journal: BMJ case reports (BMJ Case Rep) Vol. 2010 (Aug 26 2010) ISSN: 1757-790X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22767480 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Streptococcal Vaccines

Topics

• Accidents, Occupational
• Animals
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (administration & dosage)
• Emergency Service, Hospital
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Horse Diseases (immunology, prevention & control)
• Horses
• Humans
• Infusions, Intravenous
• Needlestick Injuries (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Streptococcal Infections (prevention & control, veterinary)
• Streptococcal Vaccines (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Streptococcus equi (immunology)
• Treatment Outcome
• Vaccination (adverse effects)
• Veterinarians