To the Editor.—
The article by Herron et al (242:53, 1979) reports convincingly the safety and efficacy of influenza vaccination in patients with various immunologically mediated diseases. Since there are no major complications of recent influenza vaccination on record, we want to report our experience with a patient with Henoch-Schönlein purpura, whose mild renal disease progressed irreversibly after influenza vaccination.
Report of a Case.—
A 23-year-old man with a ten-year history of Henoch-Schönlein purpura was hospitalized in November 1976, three weeks after vaccination with the whole bivalent influenza virus vaccine (A/NJ and A/Vict). The symptoms included fever, abdominal colics, gross hematuria, joint pains, and skin purpura. The blood pressure reading was 160/100 mm Hg. Stools were positive for blood, and the urine contained blood and RBC casts. The serum protein level was 4 g/24 hr. The level of serum BUN was 43 mg/dL; creatinine, 3.3 mg/dL; and creatinine clearance, 36