Hypothesis: Human papillomavirus vaccination syndrome--small fiber neuropathy and dysautonomia could be its underlying pathogenesis

Clin Rheumatol. 2015 Jul;34(7):1165-9. doi: 10.1007/s10067-015-2969-z. Epub 2015 May 20.

Abstract

Vaccination has been one of the most effective public health measures in the history of medicine. However, seemingly inexplicit adverse reactions have been described after the injection of the newer vaccines vs. human papillomavirus (HPV). The symptoms more often reported are chronic pain with paresthesias, headaches, fatigue, and orthostatic intolerance. Adverse reactions appear to be more frequent after HPV vaccination when compared to other type of immunizations. Different isolated cases and small series have described the development of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and fibromyalgia after HPV vaccination. These are illnesses often difficult to diagnose that have overlapping clinical features. Sympathetic nervous system dysfunction seems to play a major role in the pathogenesis of these syndromes. Also, small fiber neuropathy has been recently recognized in CRPS, POTS, and fibromyalgia. This article forwards the hypothesis that small fiber neuropathy and dysautonomia could be the common underlying pathogenesis to the group of rare, but severe reactions that follow HPV vaccination. Clinicians should be aware of the possible association between HPV vaccination and the development of these difficult to diagnose painful dysautonomic syndromes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / etiology
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / immunology*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Fibromyalgia / etiology
  • Humans
  • Hypotension, Orthostatic / etiology
  • Pain / etiology
  • Papillomavirus Infections / prevention & control
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines / adverse effects*
  • Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome / etiology
  • Primary Dysautonomias / etiology
  • Primary Dysautonomias / immunology*
  • Sympathetic Nervous System
  • Syndrome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Papillomavirus Vaccines