Cardiovascular Complications of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines: An Overview

Association of New-Onset Seizures With SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Importance

Seizures have been reported as an adverse effect of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. However, no study has answered the question of whether there is any association between seizures in the general population and COVID-19 vaccination.

Objective

To evaluate the seizure incidence among SARS-CoV-2 vaccine recipients compared with those who received a placebo.

Data Sources

A systematic search of MEDLINE (via PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, review publications, editorials, letters to editors, and conference papers, along with the references of the included studies from December 2019 to July 7, 2023.

Study Selection

Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) reporting seizure incidence with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination were included.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

This study is reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses framework and used the Mantel-Haenszel method with random- and common-effect models. The risk of bias of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane assessment tool for RCTs.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The outcome of interest was new-onset seizure incidence proportion compared among (1) SARS-CoV-2 vaccine recipients and (2) placebo recipients.

Results

Six RCTs were included in the study. Results of the pooled analysis comparing the incidence of new-onset seizure between the 63 521 vaccine and 54 919 placebo recipients in the 28-day follow-up after vaccine/placebo injection showed no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (9 events [0.014%] in vaccine and 1 event [0.002%] in placebo recipients; odds ratio [OR], 2.70; 95% CI, 0.76-9.57; P = .12; I2 = 0%, τ2 = 0, Cochran Q P = .74). Likewise, in the entire blinded-phase period after injection, with a median of more than 43 days, no significant difference was identified between the vaccine and placebo groups regarding incident new-onset seizure (13/43 724 events [0.03%] in vaccine and 5/40 612 [0.012%] in placebo recipients; OR, 2.31; 95% CI, 0.86-6.23, P = .10, I2 = 0%, τ2 = 0, Cochran Q P = .95).

Conclusions and Relevance

According to this systematic review and meta-analysis, there was no statistically significant difference in the risk of new-onset seizure incidence between vaccinated individuals and placebo recipients.

Plant-derived compounds as potential leads for new drug development targeting COVID-19

COVID-19, which was first identified in 2019 in Wuhan, China, is a respiratory illness caused by a virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although some patients infected with COVID-19 can remain asymptomatic, most experience a range of symptoms that can be mild to severe. Common symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, loss of taste or smell and muscle aches. In severe cases, complications can arise including pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, organ failure and even death, particularly in older adults or individuals with underlying health conditions. Treatments for COVID-19 include remdesivir, which has been authorised for emergency use in some countries, and dexamethasone, a corticosteroid used to reduce inflammation in severe cases. Biological drugs including monoclonal antibodies, such as casirivimab and imdevimab, have also been authorised for emergency use in certain situations. While these treatments have improved the outcome for many patients, there is still an urgent need for new treatments. Medicinal plants have long served as a valuable source of new drug leads and may serve as a valuable resource in the development of COVID-19 treatments due to their broad-spectrum antiviral activity. To date, various medicinal plant extracts have been studied for their cellular and molecular interactions, with some demonstrating anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity in vitro. This review explores the evaluation and potential therapeutic applications of these plants against SARS-CoV-2. This review summarises the latest evidence on the activity of different plant extracts and their isolated bioactive compounds against SARS-CoV-2, with a focus on the application of plant-derived compounds in animal models and in human studies.

Multifaceted Impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic on ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI): A Literature Review of Incidence, Treatment Modalities, and Outcomes

The global repercussions of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) include substantial worldwide mortality and have brought to light existing gaps in healthcare systems. Particularly, diseases requiring time-sensitive treatment, such as ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), have faced significant challenges due to the impact and revelations of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare infrastructure. This review addresses the impact of the pandemic on STEMI, exploring incidence, treatment modalities, and clinical outcomes. Through a critical examination of existing literature, the intricate relationship between the pandemic and cardiovascular health, specifically STEMI, is elucidated. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the management of STEMI, with changes in hospitalization rates, treatment strategies, and the presentation of the disease posing significant challenges. The contradictory results of COVID-19 and post-vaccine myocardial infarction, as well as gender differences in reported cases, highlight the need for further research to clarify these relationships.

Comparison of reporting rates of arthritis and arthralgia following AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Janssen vaccine administration against SARS-CoV-2 in 2021: analysis of European pharmacovigilance large-scale data

This study aimed to investigate the reporting rates of arthritis and arthralgia following the administration of four vaccines against SARS-CoV-2: Pfizer-BioNTech (Tozinameran), Moderna (CX-024414), AstraZeneca (Chadox1 NCOV-19), and Janssen (AD26.COV2.S) in 2021. We used data from the EudraVigilance database, specifically analyzing spontaneous reports of suspected adverse reactions (ADRs) from the European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) region. Age-group-specific reporting rates were calculated by dividing the number of arthralgia and arthritis reports per 1,000,000 vaccine doses administered per age group. Reporting rates were compared using a rate ratio among the four vaccines, using the AstraZeneca vaccine as a comparator. The AstraZeneca vaccine was associated with the highest rate of arthralgia across all age groups. Arthritis reporting rates were significantly lower, with the AstraZeneca vaccine having the highest rates in most age groups, except the 60-69 and 80+ groups, where the Janssen and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines demonstrated higher reporting rates, respectively. The distribution of arthritis rates did not follow the arthralgia pattern, being higher in the 50-79 age group. This study is the first spontaneous reporting system analysis of arthritis reporting rates post-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination at a European level, revealing a higher reporting of suspected musculoskeletal adverse reactions after AstraZeneca vaccination. The findings underscore the need to consider commonly reported events like arthralgia in risk-benefit assessments prior to vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. Given the high prevalence of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases and vaccine hesitancy in this population, our results could influence vaccine choice and acceptance.

A young woman with acute coronary syndrome and antiphospholipid syndrome. Is it the antiphospholipid syndrome or COVID-19 vaccination or classical risk as the risk factor? a case report

BACKGROUND

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in young women is poorly understood due to underdiagnosis and undertreatment. One of the possible risk factors for ACS in young women is antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination also emerged as one of the possible risk factors for ACS during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CASE PRESENTATION

Our patient, a 39-year-old Batak woman with dyslipidemia and family history of cardiovascular disease, experienced chest pain slightly improved at rest accompanied by autonomic symptoms. She was diagnosed with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) based on her clinical features, dynamic electrocardiogram changes, troponin elevation, and multislice computed tomography angiography confirmed with diagnostic catheterization. The patient was managed by percutaneous coronary intervention with implantation of drug-eluting stents. On follow-up, the patient was diagnosed with APS based on history of preeclampsia with severe features in the first and third pregnancy, spontaneous abortion in the second pregnancy, history of transient ischemic attack, moderately positive lupus anticoagulant on two occasions with an interval of 12 weeks, and ACS. Further investigation revealed a history of COVID-19 vaccination with Sinovac four and six weeks before presentation. The patient was recommended for lifelong warfarin and short-term dual antiplatelet (aspirin and ticagrelor).

CONCLUSIONS

Young women are not completely immune to ACS as evident in this case of ACS in a young woman with classical risk factors (dyslipidemia and family history of cardiovascular disease) and APS. Further studies are required to fill the knowledge gap on whether COVID-19 vaccination had any contribution to the ACS in the young woman.

COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines: Lessons Learned from the Registrational Trials and Global Vaccination Campaign

Our understanding of COVID-19 vaccinations and their impact on health and mortality has evolved substantially since the first vaccine rollouts. Published reports from the original randomized phase 3 trials concluded that the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines could greatly reduce COVID-19 symptoms. In the interim, problems with the methods, execution, and reporting of these pivotal trials have emerged. Re-analysis of the Pfizer trial data identified statistically significant increases in serious adverse events (SAEs) in the vaccine group. Numerous SAEs were identified following the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), including death, cancer, cardiac events, and various autoimmune, hematological, reproductive, and neurological disorders. Furthermore, these products never underwent adequate safety and toxicological testing in accordance with previously established scientific standards. Among the other major topics addressed in this narrative review are the published analyses of serious harms to humans, quality control issues and process-related impurities, mechanisms underlying adverse events (AEs), the immunologic basis for vaccine inefficacy, and concerning mortality trends based on the registrational trial data. The risk-benefit imbalance substantiated by the evidence to date contraindicates further booster injections and suggests that, at a minimum, the mRNA injections should be removed from the childhood immunization program until proper safety and toxicological studies are conducted. Federal agency approval of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines on a blanket-coverage population-wide basis had no support from an honest assessment of all relevant registrational data and commensurate consideration of risks versus benefits. Given the extensive, well-documented SAEs and unacceptably high harm-to-reward ratio, we urge governments to endorse a global moratorium on the modified mRNA products until all relevant questions pertaining to causality, residual DNA, and aberrant protein production are answered.

Assessment of COVID-19 vaccine take-up and its predictors among healthcare professionals in public hospitals, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Facility-based cross-sectional study

Healthcare professionals (HCPs) are among the highly exposed groups for the COVID-19 pandemic and have been identified as the target population to get vaccination against the spread of the infection. Aimed to assess COVID-19 vaccine take-up and its predictors among HCPs in public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2021. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 403 randomly selected participants from October 1st to November 30, 2021. Data was entered into Epi-info version 7 and analyzed using SPSS version 25. An AOR along with a 95% confidence level was estimated, and a P value <.05 was considered to declare the statistical significance. About 71% of the participants had taken any of the COVID-19 vaccines at least once. Being married (AOR: 10.79; 95% CI: 1.32-18.05); educational status of MSc degree (AOR = 7.7; CI: 2.08-15.1.6), medical doctors/GP (AOR = 5.88; CI: 1.60-15.54), MD with MSc (AOR = 9.63; CI: 2.17-17.76), PHD (AOR = 13.33; CI: 1.23-24.21) and specialist and above 3 (AOR = 3.45; CI: 2.34-42.8) holder HCPs; perceived severity of COVID-19 infection as moderate (AOR = 0.23; CI: 0.08-0.65) and mild (AOR = 0.28; CI: 0.11-0.74) and poor knowledge toward COVID-19 vaccination (AOR = 0.03; CI: 0.01-0.12) were statistically associated. This study showed that COVID-19 vaccine take-up among HCPs was relatively low to achieve herd immunity. Participants' marital status, educational status, perception of the severity of COVID-19 infection, and level of knowledge toward COVID-19 vaccines were the predictors of the COVID-19 vaccine take-up.

[Сardiac arrhythmias in people who have had a coronavirus infection COVID-19: A review]

Heart rhythm disorders are one of the most common complications of coronavirus infection. Heart rhythm disorders can develop in 6-17% of hospitalized patients, and in convalescents, COVID-19 can manifest itself up to 12 months after the completion of the acute phase of the disease. Among the mechanisms for the development of cardiac arrhythmias, there are a direct cytopathic effect of SARS-CoV-2 on the myocardium, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, electrolyte imbalance, hypoxia, the use of antibacterial, antimalarial and antiviral drugs, exudative pericarditis, autonomic dysfunction. The main COVID-19-mediated heart rhythm disorders are sinus tachycardia and bradycardia, atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, long QT syndrome. Despite a significant amount of research, the literature data on the prevalence of certain types of cardiac arrhythmias (especially in COVID-19 convalescents), as well as methods for their correction, are somewhat contradictory and need to be clarified. Taking into account the impact of arrhythmia on the quality of life and mortality, active monitoring of convalescents of coronavirus infection, identification and development of approaches to the treatment of heart rhythm disorders in patients who have had COVID-19, seem to be relevant and promising areas in modern cardiology.

Phenome-wide association study and precision medicine of cardiovascular diseases in the post-COVID-19 era

SARS-CoV-2 infection causes injuries of not only the lungs but also the heart and endothelial cells in vasculature of multiple organs, and induces systemic inflammation and immune over-reactions, which makes COVID-19 a disease phenome that simultaneously affects multiple systems. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are intrinsic risk and causative factors for severe COVID-19 comorbidities and death. The wide-spread infection and reinfection of SARS-CoV-2 variants and the long-COVID may become a new common threat to human health and propose unprecedented impact on the risk factors, pathophysiology, and pharmacology of many diseases including CVD for a long time. COVID-19 has highlighted the urgent demand for precision medicine which needs new knowledge network to innovate disease taxonomy for more precise diagnosis, therapy, and prevention of disease. A deeper understanding of CVD in the setting of COVID-19 phenome requires a paradigm shift from the current phenotypic study that focuses on the virus or individual symptoms to phenomics of COVID-19 that addresses the inter-connectedness of clinical phenotypes, i.e., clinical phenome. Here, we summarize the CVD manifestations in the full clinical spectrum of COVID-19, and the phenome-wide association study of CVD interrelated to COVID-19. We discuss the underlying biology for CVD in the COVID-19 phenome and the concept of precision medicine with new phenomic taxonomy that addresses the overall pathophysiological responses of the body to the SARS-CoV-2 infection. We also briefly discuss the unique taxonomy of disease as Zheng-hou patterns in traditional Chinese medicine, and their potential implications in precision medicine of CVD in the post-COVID-19 era.

Covid- 19 Vaccine-induced Myocarditis

Myocarditis and pericarditis are rare adverse reactions, more commonly seen in young males after receiving the second dose of an mRNA vaccine. However, the benefits of vaccination heavily outweigh the risk of these side effects. In addition, vaccination boosters are effective against the newest, more infective variants. Therefore we expect more vaccines to be administered in the following years. The objective of this study is to review the current understanding of the mechanism, diagnosis, and treatment of myocarditis and pericarditis. Proposed mechanisms include molecular mimicry against the S protein and hypersensitivity reactions with mRNA vaccines and platelet aggregation and thrombus formation in cardiac blood vessels with adenoviral vaccines. Diagnosis of myocarditis is based on clinical findings, cardiac enzymes, ECG, MRI, and echocardiographic findings. Management includes NSAIDs and cardiovascular support in selected cases with ventricular dysfunction. Most patients have a mild presentation with preservation of cardiac function and recover entirely within seven days; the average hospital stay is three days. Long-term complications are infrequent.

A nasal vaccine with inactivated whole-virion elicits protective mucosal immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in mice

Introduction

Vaccinations are ideal for reducing the severity of clinical manifestations and secondary complications of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); however, SARS-CoV-2 continues to cause morbidity and mortality worldwide. In contrast to parenteral vaccines such as messenger RNA vaccines, nasal vaccines are expected to be more effective in preventing viral infections in the upper respiratory tract, the primary locus for viral infection and transmission. In this study, we examined the prospects of an inactivated whole-virion (WV) vaccine administered intranasally against SARS-CoV-2.

Methods

Mice were immunized subcutaneously (subcutaneous vaccine) or intranasally (nasal vaccine) with the inactivated WV of SARS-CoV-2 as the antigen.

Results

The spike protein (S)-specific IgA level was found to be higher upon nasal vaccination than after subcutaneous vaccination. The level of S-specific IgG in the serum was also increased by the nasal vaccine, although it was lower than that induced by the subcutaneous vaccine. The nasal vaccine exhibited a stronger defense against viral invasion in the upper respiratory tract than the subcutaneous vaccine and unimmunized control; however, both subcutaneous and nasal vaccines provided protection in the lower respiratory tract. Furthermore, we found that intranasally administered inactivated WV elicited robust production of S-specific IgA in the nasal mucosa and IgG in the blood of mice previously vaccinated with messenger RNA encoding the S protein.

Discussion

Overall, these results suggest that a nasal vaccine containing inactivated WV can be a highly effective means of protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Insights into SARS-CoV-2-associated subacute thyroiditis: from infection to vaccine

Since the COVID-19 emergence as a global pandemic in March 2020, more than 5 million SARS-CoV-2-related deaths have been globally documented. As the pandemic progressed, it became clear that, although the infection is mainly characterized as a respiratory disease, it also affects other organs and systems, including the thyroid gland. Indeed, emerging evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 can act as a trigger for various thyroid disorders, for example, subacute thyroiditis (SAT), Grave's disease, and non-thyroidal illness syndrome. The entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the host cells is mainly mediated by the ACE2-receptor, making organs and systems with high expression of this receptor, such as the thyroid gland, highly vulnerable to COVID-19. Accumulating data propose that SAT may be an underestimated manifestation of COVID-19 infection. Importantly, if SAT remains unrecognized, it may trigger or aggravate potential other complications of the disease, for example, respiratory insufficiency and cardiovascular complications, and thus negatively influence prognosis. Moreover, recent case reports, case series, and systematic reviews highlight SAT as a potential side effect of the vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. The present review aims to raise awareness of SARS-CoV-2-associated- and post-vaccination subacute thyroiditis, to discuss recent evidence regarding its pathophysiology, and to present useful information for this special form of SAT related to daily clinical practice.

Scleromyxedema in an adult following Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccination: An extremely rare phenomenon

Introduction

The Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine produces a variety of cutaneous adverse effects. Scleromyxedema is a mucinous connective tissue disorder that causes skin thickness and sclerodermoid changes. According to our findings, this is the first case of scleromyxedema induced by the Sinopharm immunization.

Case description

We discuss the case of a 75-year-old woman who acquired progressive thickening of the skin in her limbs and trunk after getting the Sinopharm vaccination. Examination, laboratory testing, and a biopsy were used to verify scleromyxedema diagnosis. Intravenous immunoglobulins, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisolone were used in the treatment of the patient. The outcomes from the 4-month follow-up were reassuring.

Conclusion

This study emphasizes the need of considering scleromyxedema as a connective tissue pathology in patients who have recently received Sinopharm vaccine and have similar cutaneous signs.

COVID-19, post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS, "long COVID") and post-COVID-19 vaccination syndrome (PCVS, "post-COVIDvac-syndrome"): Similarities and differences

Worldwide there have been over 760 million confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, and over 13 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered as of April 2023, according to the World Health Organization. An infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can lead to an acute disease, i.e. COVID-19, but also to a post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS, "long COVID"). Currently, the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines are increasingly being noted and studied. Here, we summarise the currently available indications and discuss our conclusions that (i) these side effects have specific similarities and differences to acute COVID-19 and PACS, that (ii) a new term should be used to refer to these side effects (post-COVID-19 vaccination syndrome, PCVS, colloquially "post-COVIDvac-syndrome"), and that (iii) there is a need to distinguish between acute COVID-19 vaccination syndrome (ACVS) and post-acute COVID-19 vaccination syndrome (PACVS) - in analogy to acute COVID-19 and PACS ("long COVID"). Moreover, we address mixed forms of disease caused by natural SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination. We explain why it is important for medical diagnosis, care and research to use the new terms (PCVS, ACVS and PACVS) in order to avoid confusion and misinterpretation of the underlying causes of disease and to enable optimal medical therapy. We do not recommend to use the term "Post-Vac-Syndrome" as it is imprecise. The article also serves to address the current problem of "medical gaslighting" in relation to PACS and PCVS by raising awareness among the medical professionals and supplying appropriate terminology for disease.

Molecular Mimicry of the Viral Spike in the SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Possibly Triggers Transient Dysregulation of ACE2, Leading to Vascular and Coagulation Dysfunction Similar to SARS-CoV-2 Infection

The benefits of SARS-CoV-2 spike mRNA vaccines are well known, including a significant decline in COVID-19 morbidity and a decrease in the mortality rate of SARS-CoV-2 infected persons. However, pharmacovigilance studies have revealed the existence of rare cases of cardiovascular complications after mass vaccination using such formulations. Cases of high blood pressure have also been reported but were rarely documented under perfectly controlled medical supervision. The press release of these warning signals triggered a huge debate over COVID-19 vaccines' safety. Thereby, our attention was quickly focused on issues involving the risk of myocarditis, acute coronary syndrome, hypertension and thrombosis. Rare cases of undesirable post-vaccine pathophysiological phenomena should question us, especially when they occur in young subjects. They are more likely to occur with inappropriate use of mRNA vaccine (e.g., at the time when the immune response is already very active during a low-noise infection in the process of healing), leading to angiotensin II (Ang II) induced inflammation triggering tissue damage. Such harmful effects observed after the COVID-19 vaccine evoke a possible molecular mimicry of the viral spike transiently dysregulating angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) function. Although the benefit/risk ratio of SARS-CoV-2 spike mRNA vaccine is very favorable, it seems reasonable to suggest medical surveillance to patients with a history of cardiovascular diseases who receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Discovery of Potential Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease by a Transfer Learning Method

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 remains a global public health threat and has prompted the development of antiviral therapies. Artificial intelligence may be one of the strategies to facilitate drug development for emerging and re-emerging diseases. The main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 is an attractive drug target due to its essential role in the virus life cycle and high conservation among SARS-CoVs. In this study, we used a data augmentation method to boost transfer learning model performance in screening for potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. This method appeared to outperform graph convolution neural network, random forest and Chemprop on an external test set. The fine-tuned model was used to screen for a natural compound library and a de novo generated compound library. By combination with other in silico analysis methods, a total of 27 compounds were selected for experimental validation of anti-Mpro activities. Among all the selected hits, two compounds (gyssypol acetic acid and hyperoside) displayed inhibitory effects against Mpro with IC50 values of 67.6 μM and 235.8 μM, respectively. The results obtained in this study may suggest an effective strategy of discovering potential therapeutic leads for SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses.

Effect of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-Vaccine on the Induction of Myocarditis in Different Murine Animal Models

In the course of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, vaccination safety and risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-vaccines were under consideration after case reports of vaccine-related side effects, such as myocarditis, which were mostly described in young men. However, there is almost no data on the risk and safety of vaccination, especially in patients who are already diagnosed with acute/chronic (autoimmune) myocarditis from other causes, such as viral infections, or as a side effect of medication and treatment. Thus, the risk and safety of these vaccines, in combination with other therapies that could induce myocarditis (e.g., immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy), are still poorly assessable. Therefore, vaccine safety, with respect to worsening myocardial inflammation and myocardial function, was studied in an animal model of experimentally induced autoimmune myocarditis. Furthermore, it is known that ICI treatment (e.g., antibodies (abs) against PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4, or a combination of those) plays an important role in the treatment of oncological patients. However, it is also known that treatment with ICIs can induce severe, life-threatening myocarditis in some patients. Genetically different A/J (most susceptible strain) and C57BL/6 (resistant strain) mice, with diverse susceptibilities for induction of experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) at various age and gender, were vaccinated twice with SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-vaccine. In an additional A/J group, an autoimmune myocarditis was induced. In regard to ICIs, we tested the safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in PD-1^-/- mice alone, and in combination with CTLA-4 abs. Our results showed no adverse effects related to inflammation and heart function after mRNA-vaccination, independent of age, gender, and in different mouse strains susceptible for induction of experimental myocarditis. Moreover, there was no worsening effect on inflammation and cardiac function when EAM in susceptible mice was induced. However, in the experiments with vaccination and ICI treatment, we observed, in some mice, low elevation of cardiac troponins in sera, and low scores of myocardial inflammation. In sum, mRNA-vaccines are safe in a model of experimentally induced autoimmune myocarditis, but patients undergoing ICI therapy should be closely monitored when vaccinated.

Autopsy-based histopathological characterization of myocarditis after anti-SARS-CoV-2-vaccination

Cases of myocarditis, diagnosed clinically by laboratory tests and imaging have been described in the context of mRNA-based anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Autopsy-based description of detailed histological features of vaccine-induced myocarditis is lacking. We describe the autopsy findings and common characteristics of myocarditis in untreated persons who received anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Standardized autopsies were performed on 25 persons who had died unexpectedly and within 20 days after anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. In four patients who received a mRNA vaccination, we identified acute (epi-)myocarditis without detection of another significant disease or health constellation that may have caused an unexpected death. Histology showed patchy interstitial myocardial T-lymphocytic infiltration, predominantly of the CD4 positive subset, associated with mild myocyte damage. Overall, autopsy findings indicated death due to acute arrhythmogenic cardiac failure. Thus, myocarditis can be a potentially lethal complication following mRNA-based anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Our findings may aid in adequately diagnosing unclear cases after vaccination and in establishing a timely diagnosis in vivo, thus, providing the framework for adequate monitoring and early treatment of severe clinical cases.

Structural Analysis and Epitope Prediction of S2 Domain of SARS-CoV-2, Conservation Analysis Among Major Variants

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a global pandemic. There are four structural proteins of the virus: spike, envelope, membrane, and nucleocapsid proteins. Various vaccines were designed and are effectively being used against the spike protein of the virus. However, several vaccine-related complications have been reported worldwide. Assuming that the structural integrity of the whole protein might be contributing to these complications, this study was performed to design epitopes using the S2 domain of the spike protein, which could trigger a strong immune response. We have also predicted antigenic and allergenic properties of the selected epitopes. A total of 49 B cell epitopes passing antigenicity and other assessment filters were found using three methods. Among them, RDLICAQ had the highest antigenicity score (1.1443). However, only one cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitope, RSFIEDLLF, passed the essential filters with an antigenicity score of 0.5782 to show an appropriate immune response for T cells, while among 21 helper T cell lymphocyte epitopes that were filtered, FAMQMAYRFNGIGVT showed the highest (1.3688) antigenicity score. Conservation analysis revealed that the S2 domain is significantly conserved, thus making it an ideal candidate for vaccine development. We have also designed a vaccine construct based on the best suiting components found during the whole study. This construct and S2 domain solely can be future subjects of interest or might be included in a subunit cocktail formulation for attaining unabridged immunogenicity.

Can COVID-19 Vaccines Induce Premature Non-Communicable Diseases: Where Are We Heading to?

According to the WHO, as of January 2023, more than 850 million cases and over 6.6 million deaths from COVID-19 have been reported worldwide. Currently, the death rate has been reduced due to the decreased pathogenicity of new SARS-CoV-2 variants, but the major factor in the reduced death rates is the administration of more than 12.8 billion vaccine doses globally. While the COVID-19 vaccines are saving lives, serious side effects have been reported after vaccinations for several premature non-communicable diseases (NCDs). However, the reported adverse events are low in number. The scientific community must investigate the entire spectrum of COVID-19-vaccine-induced complications so that necessary safety measures can be taken, and current vaccines can be re-engineered to avoid or minimize their side effects. We describe in depth severe adverse events for premature metabolic, mental, and neurological disorders; cardiovascular, renal, and autoimmune diseases, and reproductive health issues detected after COVID-19 vaccinations and whether these are causal or incidental. In any case, it has become clear that the benefits of vaccinations outweigh the risks by a large margin. However, pre-existing conditions in vaccinated individuals need to be taken into account in the prevention and treatment of adverse events.

Complications after administration of mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 - case report and short review

The pandemic of the disease COVID-19 (COronaVIrus Disease 2019) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) resulted in millions of deaths and many patients have chronic consequences after overcoming the acute condition. Several vaccines have been developed in an effort to stop the spread of the virus, but they have potentially serious adverse effects. We present a case report of a patient with acute (myocarditis, exacerbation of bronchial asthma) and long-term (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome - POTS) complications after vaccination with the second dose of mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 (Comirnaty®). Treatment consists of regimen measures, numerous pharmacotherapy (metoprolol, ivabradine, corticosteroids, antihistamines, antiphlogistics, bronchodilators) and several nutraceuticals (maritime pine bark extract, quercetin, vitamins, magnesium, phosphatidylcholine). In the discussion, we analyze post-vaccination injury and present a short review of the current literature.

Tuning the immune response: sulfated archaeal glycolipid archaeosomes as an effective vaccine adjuvant for induction of humoral and cell-mediated immunity towards the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant of concern

Liposomes composed of sulfated lactosyl archaeol (SLA) have been shown to be a safe and effective vaccine adjuvant with a multitude of antigens in preclinical studies. In particular, SLA-adjuvanted SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccines based on trimeric spike protein antigens were shown to be immunogenic and efficacious in mice and hamsters. With the continued emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants, we sought to evaluate next-generation vaccine formulations with an updated antigenic identity. This was of particular interest for the widespread Omicron variant, given the abundance of mutations and structural changes observed within its spike protein compared to other variants. An updated version of our resistin-trimerized SmT1 corresponding to the B.1.1.529 variant was successfully generated in our Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell-based antigen production platform and characterized, revealing some differences in protein profile and ACE2 binding affinity as compared to reference strain-based SmT1. We next evaluated this Omicron-based spike antigen for its immunogenicity and ability to generate robust antigen-specific immune responses when paired with SLA liposomes or AddaS03 (a mimetic of the AS03 oil-in-water emulsion adjuvant system found in commercialized SARS-CoV-2 protein vaccines). Immunization of mice with vaccine formulations containing this updated antigen with either adjuvant stimulated neutralizing antibody responses favouring Omicron over the reference strain. Cell-mediated responses, which play an important role in the neutralization of intracellular infections, were induced to a much higher degree with the SLA adjuvant relative to the AddaS03-adjuvanted formulations. As such, updated vaccines that are better capable of targeting towards SARS-CoV-2 variants can be generated through an optimized combination of antigen and adjuvant components.

Conduction system disorders and electrocardiographic findings in COVID-19 deceased patients in 2021, Shiraz, Iran. World J Cardiol 2022;14:617-625. [PMID: 36605421 PMCID: PMC9808027 DOI: 10.4330/wjc.v14.i12.617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0]

BACKGROUND

Cardiac conduction disorders and electrocardiographic (ECG) changes may occur as a manifestation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially in severe cases.

AIM

To describe conduction system disorders and their association with other electrocardiographic parameters in patients who died of COVID-19.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, electrocardiographic and clinical data of 432 patients who expired from COVID-19 between August 1^st, 2021, and December 1^st, 2021, in a tertiary hospital were reviewed.

RESULTS

Among 432 patients who died from COVID-19, atrioventricular block (AVB) was found in 40 (9.3%). Among these 40 patients, 28 (6.5%) suffered from 1st degree AVB, and 12 (2.8%) suffered from complete heart block (CHB). Changes in ST-T wave, compatible with myocardial infarction or localized myocarditis, appeared in 189 (59.0%). Findings compatible with myocardial injury, such as fragmented QRS and prolonged QTc, were found in 91 patients (21.1%) and 28 patients (6.5%), respectively. In patients who died of COVID-19, conduction disorder was unrelated to any underlying medical condition. Fragmented QRS, axis deviation, and ST-T changes were significantly related to conduction system disorder in patients who died of COVID-19 (P value < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Conduction system disorders are associated with several other ECG abnormalities, especially those indicative of myocardial ischemia or inflammation. Most patients (73.14%) who died of COVID-19 demonstrated at least one ECG abnormality parameter. Since a COVID-19 patient's ECG gives important information regarding their cardiac health, our findings can help develop a risk stratification method for at-risk COVID-19 patients in future studies.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: New hope in the fight against COVID-19

The emerging COVID-19 pandemic led to a dramatic increase in global mortality and morbidity rates. As in most infections, fatal complications of coronavirus affliction are triggered by an untrammeled host inflammatory response. Cytokine storms created by high levels of interleukin and other cytokines elucidate the pathology of severe COVID-19. In this respect, repurposing drugs that are already available and might exhibit anti-inflammatory effects have received significant attention. With the in vitro and clinical investigation of several studies on the effect of antidepressants on COVID-19 prognosis, previous data suggest that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) might be the new hope for the early treatment of severely afflicted patients. SSRIs' low cost and availability make them potentially eligible for COVID-19 repurposing. This review summarizes current achievements and literature about the connection between SSRIs administration and COVID-19 prognosis.

Clinical cardiovascular emergencies and the cellular basis of COVID-19 vaccination: from dream to reality?

OBJECTIVES

SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the global COVID-19 pandemic, with little prevention or treatment options. More than 600 million mortalities have been documented from SARS-CoV-2 infection, with the majority of fatalities occurring among elderly patients (aged >65 years). A number of vaccines have been developed in an effort to restrain the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2. Considering the widespread administration of these vaccines, substantial side or undesired effects in multiple organ systems have emerged, necessitating essential critical care. Herein, we tabulate the adverse cardiovascular responses resulting from COVID-19 vaccines.

DESIGN OR METHODS

We searched PubMed for articles published through April, 2022, with the terms "SARS-CoV-2", "COVID-19", "cardiovascular", "SARS-CoV-2 vaccines", "COVID-19 vaccines", "myocarditis", "pericarditis", "thrombosis", "thrombocytopenia", "vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia", "acute coronary syndrome", "myocardial infarction", "hypertension", "arrythmia", "postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome", "Takotsubo cardiomyopathy", "cardiac arrest" and "death". We mainly selected publications from the past 3 years, but did not exclude widely referenced and highly regarded older publications. Besides, we searched the reference lists of articles identified by above search method and chose those we considered relevant.

RESULTS

COVID-19 vaccines evoke rare but fatal thrombotic events, whereas messenger RNA\055based vaccines appear to be associated with risks of pericarditis/myocarditis, with the latter being more predominant in young adults following the second dose. Reports of other cardiovascular responses, including hypertension, arrhythmia, acute coronary syndrome, and cardiac arrest, have also been indicated.

CONCLUSION

The undesired cardiovascular complications remain infrequent, giveng the large number of vaccinations inoculated to general population. And lower mortality takes precedence over the undesired cardiovascular complications.

Development and exacerbation of autoimmune hemolytic anemia following COVID-19 vaccination: A systematic review

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is caused by the production of autoantibodies against RBCs. COVID-19 vaccines can reduce the risk of severe disease, however, various adverse effects such as AIHA were observed following vaccination. This review aimed to assess the relationship of AIHA and COVID-19 vaccination using the PRISMA guidelines. Among 18 cases included in this review, new post-vaccination AIHA development was reported in 11 patients (7 women and 4 men) with a median age of 67.0 years. In 7 of 11 and 3 of 11 cases, the onset of symptoms occurred after first and second vaccine dose with median times of 7 and 14 days, respectively. In 1 of 11 cases, the AIHA occurred on Day 17 after booster vaccination. Ten of 11 and 1 of 11 AIHA patients received mRNA- and vector-based vaccine, respectively. After vaccination, 9 of 11, 1 of 11, and 1 of 11 AIHA patients developed warm IgG, cold IgM, and mixed autoantibodies against RBCs, respectively. Significant AIHA exacerbation was reported in seven patients (four women and three men) with a median age of 73.0 years. In 4 of 7 and 2 of 7 exacerbated AIHA cases, the onset of symptoms occurred after first and second vaccine dose with median times of 7 and 3 days, respectively. In 1 of 7 exacerbated AIHA cases, the onset of symptoms was observed on Day 2 after booster vaccination. All exacerbated AIHA cases received mRNA-based vaccines; 3 of 7 and 4 of 7 exacerbated AIHA cases developed IgG and IgM against RBCs, respectively. This review provides a comprehensive explanation regarding the AIHA development and exacerbation after COVID-19 vaccination.

Link between COVID-19 vaccines and myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Vaccines for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) include ChAdOx1-SARS-COV-2 (AstraZeneca), Ad26.COV2.S (Janssen), mRNA-1273 (Moderna), BNT162b2 (Pfizer), BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm), CoronaVac (Sinovac), and Bharat Biotech BBV152 (Covaxin).

AIM

To find the association between COVID-19 vaccines and myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODS

This is a systematic review that involved searching databases such as MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PakMediNet after making a search strategy using MeSH and Emtree terms. Eligibility criteria were set, and studies having no mention of MI as a complication of COVID-19 vaccination, protocols, genetic studies, and animal studies were excluded. Data was extracted using a predesigned extraction table, and 29 studies were selected after screening and applying the eligibility criteria.

RESULTS

The majority of studies mentioned AstraZeneca (18 studies) followed by Pfizer (14 studies) and Moderna (9 studies) in subjects reporting MI after vaccination. Out of all the studies, 69% reported MI cases after the first COVID-19 vaccination dose and 14% after the second, 44% reported ST-segment elevation MI, and 26% reported non-ST-segment elevation MI. The mortality rate was 29% after MI.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, many studies linked MI to COVID-19 vaccinations, but no definitive association could be found.

Thyroid dysfunction following vaccination with COVID-19 vaccines: a basic review of the preliminary evidence

PURPOSE

The safety and efficacy of the several types of COVID-19 vaccines, including mRNA-based, viral vector-based, and inactivated vaccines, have been approved by WHO. The vaccines can confer protection against severe SARS-CoV-2 infection through induction of the anti-spike protein neutralizing antibodies. However, SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have been associated with very rare complications, such as thyroid disorders. This review was conducted to highlight main features of thyroid abnormalities following COVID-19 vaccination.

METHODS

A comprehensive search within electronic databases was performed to collect reports of thyroid disorders after vaccination with COVID-19 vaccines.

RESULTS

Among 83 reported cases including in this review, the most cases of thyroid abnormalities were observed after vaccination with mRNA-based vaccines (68.7%), followed by viral vector vaccines (15.7%) and 14.5% cases following inactivated vaccines. Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) was the most common COVID-19 vaccination-related thyroid disease, accounting for 60.2% of all cases, followed by Graves' disease (GD) with 25.3%. Moreover, some cases with focal painful thyroiditis (3.6%), silent thyroiditis (3.6%), concurrent GD and SAT (2.4%), thyroid eye disease (1.2%), overt hypothyroidism (1.2%), atypical subacute thyroiditis (1.2%), and painless thyroiditis with TPP (1.2%) were also reported. Overall, in 58.0% of SAT cases and in 61.9% of GD cases, the onset of the symptoms occurred following the first vaccine dose with a median of 10.0 days (ranged: 3-21 days) and 10.0 days (ranged: 1-60 days) after vaccination, respectively. Moreover, 40.0% of SAT patients and 38.1% of GD patients developed the symptoms after the second dose with a median of 10.5 days (ranged: 0.5-37 days) and 14.0 days (ranged: 2-35 days) after vaccination, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Fortunately, almost all cases with COVID-19 vaccination-associated thyroid dysfunctions had a favorable outcome following therapy. The benefits of COVID-19 vaccinations in terms of terminating the pandemic and/or reducing mortality rates can exceed any risk of infrequent complications such as a transient thyroid malfunction.

Case report: Sudden cardiorespiratory collapse in a healthy male after coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination at a vaccination center

Since 2020, new vaccines were developed to fight the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Vaccination is important in preventing mortality and achieving herd immunity. However, due to vast vaccination, fatal adverse events could be seen. We report a case of a previously healthy, young male who had a cardiopulmonary arrest 2 min after receiving the Oxford- AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) COVID-19 vaccination. After targeted temperature management, a coronary angiogram was performed after neurological recovery and showed severe stenosis at the proximal left anterior descending artery. Stenting was done and he was discharge. No similar case of sudden cardiorespiratory collapse immediately after COVID-19 vaccination has been reported. Our patient did not have any effort-related angina or dyspnea on exertion before this event. The sudden cardiorespiratory collapse was probably related to underlying coronary artery disease, complicated with a vasovagal event. We stress the importance of coronary angiography in out of hospital cardiac arrest patients after neurological recovery. In the era of COVID-19 vaccination, even though fatal adverse events following immunization are rare, heightened awareness of severe side effects needing medical attention is very important.

Risk for Myocardial Infarction, Stroke, and Pulmonary Embolism Following COVID-19 Vaccines in Adults Younger Than 75 Years in France

BACKGROUND

The BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine has been shown to be safe with regard to risk for severe cardiovascular events (such as myocardial infarction [MI], pulmonary embolism [PE], and stroke) in persons aged 75 years or older. Less is known about the safety of other COVID-19 vaccines or outcomes in younger populations.

OBJECTIVE

To assess short-term risk for severe cardiovascular events (excluding myocarditis and pericarditis) after COVID-19 vaccination in France's 46.5 million adults younger than 75 years.

DESIGN

Self-controlled case series method adapted to event-dependent exposure and high event-related mortality.

SETTING

France, 27 December 2020 to 20 July 2021.

PATIENTS

All adults younger than 75 years hospitalized for PE, acute MI, hemorrhagic stroke, or ischemic stroke (n = 73 325 total events).

MEASUREMENTS

Linkage between the French National Health Data System and COVID-19 vaccine databases enabled identification of hospitalizations for cardiovascular events (MI, PE, or stroke) and receipt of a first or second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech, mRNA-1273 (Moderna), Ad26.COV2.S (Janssen), or ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (Oxford-AstraZeneca) vaccine. The relative incidence (RI) of each cardiovascular event was estimated in the 3 weeks after vaccination compared with other periods, with adjustment for temporality (7-day periods).

RESULTS

No association was found between the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine and severe cardiovascular events. The first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was associated with acute MI and PE in the second week after vaccination (RI, 1.29 [95% CI, 1.11 to 1.51] and 1.41 [CI, 1.13 to 1.75], respectively). An association with MI in the second week after a single dose of the Janssen vaccine could not be ruled out (RI, 1.75 [CI, 1.16 to 2.62]).

LIMITATIONS

It was not possible to ascertain the relative timing of injection and cardiovascular events on the day of vaccination. Outpatient deaths related to cardiovascular events were not included.

CONCLUSION

In persons aged 18 to 74 years, adenoviral-based vaccines may be associated with increased incidence of MI and PE. No association between mRNA-based vaccines and the cardiovascular events studied was observed.

PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE

None.

COVID-19 Vaccine-Induced Thrombotic Thrombocytopaenia With Venous and Arterial Thrombosis: A Case Report

Coronavirus disease 19 pandemic has put tremendous pressure on health systems and has caused significant morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Vaccination program against COVID-19 has been effective despite repeated outbreaks across the globe. It was however reported that COVID-19 vaccines in particular, the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (AZD1222) was temporarily suspended by some European countries due to risk of thrombosis. COVID-19 is a prothrombotic condition and is associated with venous thromboembolism mainly. The condition can be challenging to diagnose due to its diagnostic variation. Cases of vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopaenia has been reported in several countries. COVID-19 can also cause vaccine-induced thrombosis without thrombocytopaenia. The thrombotic events can affect different parts of the body including brain, heart, and peripheral vessels. We present a case of 54-year-old patient who presented with chest and abdominal pain for 12 hours and evidence of infero-lateral ST segment elevation on electrocardiogram. Patient received COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine 10 days prior to admission. Coronary angiography (CAG) showed occlusion of the proximal to mid part of the right coronary artery (RCA) distal to a large Right Ventricular branch with high thrombotic burden and multiple attempts at aspiration of the thrombus resulted in partial restoration of the flow to right coronary artery.

Attitudes toward COVID-19 Vaccination on Social Media: A Cross-Platform Analysis

During the COVID-19 pandemic, social media content analysis allowed for tracking attitudes toward newly introduced vaccines. However, current evidence is limited to single social media platforms. Our objective was to compare arguments used by anti-vaxxers in the context of COVID-19 vaccines across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. We obtained the data set of 53,671 comments regarding COVID-19 vaccination published between August 2021 and February 2022. After that, we established categories of anti-vaccine content, manually classified comments, and compared the frequency of occurrence of the categories between social media platforms. We found that anti-vaxxers on social media use 14 categories of arguments against COVID-19 vaccines. The frequency of these categories varies across different social media platforms. The anti-vaxxers' activity on Facebook and Twitter is similar, focusing mainly on distrust of government and allegations regarding vaccination safety and effectiveness. Anti-vaxxers on TikTok mainly focus on personal freedom, while Instagram users encouraging vaccination often face criticism suggesting that vaccination is a private matter that should not be shared. Due to the differences in vaccine sentiment among users of different social media platforms, future research and educational campaigns should consider these distinctions, focusing more on the platforms popular among adolescents (i.e., Instagram and TikTok).

Risk of serious adverse events after the BNT162b2, CoronaVac, and ChAdOx1 vaccines in Malaysia: A self-controlled case series study

BACKGROUND

Rapid deployment of COVID-19 vaccines is challenging for safety surveillance, especially on adverse events of special interest (AESIs) that were not identified during the pre-licensure studies. This study evaluated the risk of hospitalisations for predefined diagnoses among the vaccinated population in Malaysia.

METHODS

Hospital admissions for selected diagnoses between 1 February 2021 and 30 September 2021 were linked to the national COVID-19 immunisation register. We conducted self-controlled case-series study by identifying individuals who received COVID-19 vaccine and diagnosis of thrombocytopenia, venous thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, myocarditis/pericarditis, arrhythmia, stroke, Bell's Palsy, and convulsion/seizure. The incidence of events was assessed in risk period of 21 days postvaccination relative to the control period. We used conditional Poisson regression to calculate the incidence rate ratio (IRR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) with adjustment for calendar period.

RESULTS

There was no increase in the risk for myocarditis/pericarditis, Bell's Palsy, stroke, and myocardial infarction in the 21 days following either dose of BNT162b2, CoronaVac, and ChAdOx1 vaccines. A small increased risk of venous thromboembolism (IRR 1.24; 95% CI 1.02, 1.49), arrhythmia (IRR 1.16, 95% CI 1.07, 1.26), and convulsion/seizure (IRR 1.26; 95% CI 1.07, 1.48) was observed among BNT162b2 recipients. No association between CoronaVac vaccine was found with all events except arrhythmia (IRR 1.15; 95% CI 1.01, 1.30). ChAdOx1 vaccine showed significant association for thrombocytopenia (IRR 2.67; 95% CI 1.21, 5.89) and venous thromboembolism (IRR 2.22; 95% CI 1.17, 4.21).

CONCLUSION

This study shows acceptable safety profiles of COVID-19 vaccines among recipients of BNT162b2, CoronaVac, and ChAdOx1 vaccines. This information can be used together with effectiveness data for risk-benefit analysis of the vaccination program. Further surveillance with more data is required to assess AESIs following COVID-19 vaccination in short- and long-term.

Pulmonary Embolism after Moderna Vaccination in Kidney Transplant Patients: Two Case Reports and Literature Review

Currently, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is still an ongoing and constant medical issue, and with upcoming new variants, vaccinations and boosters remain important. The safety of vaccines in patients after kidney transplantation is an essential problem, with thrombosis being one of the severe side effects and vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) revealed as the most commonly reported syndrome for thromboembolic events following COVID-19 vaccination. Here, we present two cases of kidney transplantation developing pulmonary embolism post-Moderna vaccination within 30 days without thrombocytopenia. The first case was a 52-year-old man with history of type II diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia who had had cadaveric kidney transplantation in September 2008, where right leg swelling with claudication occurred 23 days after the second Moderna vaccination. The second case was a 57-year-old man with history of type II diabetes and glaucoma who had had living-related kidney transplantation in April 2013 and then complained of exertional dyspnea 26 days after administration of the third Moderna vaccine. The advantages of vaccination even in immunocompromised patients far outweigh the disadvantages, although clinicians must understand the risks of deep-vein thrombosis or even pulmonary embolism for such patients, which might not occur after just the first vaccination.

Left ventricular thrombosis and endogenous endophthalmitis in the setting of COVID‐19: A case report

Aside from typical pneumonia, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has shown several extra‐pulmonary manifestations. This study was done on a 66‐year‐old male patient who concomitantly had endogenous endophthalmitis and left ventricular thrombosis one month after being hospitalized due to COVID‐19.

Blood Pressure Increase following COVID-19 Vaccination: A Systematic Overview and Meta-Analysis

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines proved a strong clinical efficacy against symptomatic or moderate/severe COVID-19 and are considered the most promising approach for curbing the pandemic. However, some questions regarding the safety of COVID-19 vaccines have been recently raised. Among adverse events to vaccines and despite a lack of signal during phase III clinical trials, an increase in blood pressure (BP) after COVID-19 vaccination has been reported as a potential adverse reaction. We systematically analyze this topic and undertook a meta-analysis of available data to estimate the proportion of patients with abnormal BP or raise in BP after vaccination. Six studies entered the final analysis. Overall, studies accrued 357,387 subjects with 13,444 events of abnormal or increased BP. After exclusion of outlier studies, the pooled estimated proportion of abnormal/increased BP after vaccination was 3.20% (95% CI: 1.62-6.21). Proportions of cases of stage III hypertension or hypertensive urgencies and emergencies was 0.6% (95% CI: 0.1% to 5.1%). In conclusion, abnormal BP is not rare after COVID-19 vaccination, but the basic mechanisms of this phenomenon are still unclear and require further research.

Nucleic Acids as Biotools at the Interface between Chemistry and Nanomedicine in the COVID-19 Era

The recent development of mRNA vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 infection has turned the spotlight on the potential of nucleic acids as innovative prophylactic agents and as diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Until now, their use has been severely limited by their reduced half-life in the biological environment and the difficulties related to their transport to target cells. These limiting aspects can now be overcome by resorting to chemical modifications in the drug and using appropriate nanocarriers, respectively. Oligonucleotides can interact with complementary sequences of nucleic acid targets, forming stable complexes and determining their loss of function. An alternative strategy uses nucleic acid aptamers that, like the antibodies, bind to specific proteins to modulate their activity. In this review, the authors will examine the recent literature on nucleic acids-based strategies in the COVID-19 era, focusing the attention on their applications for the prophylaxis of COVID-19, but also on antisense- and aptamer-based strategies directed to the diagnosis and therapy of the coronavirus pandemic.

Acute Pericarditis Post mRNA-1273 COVID Vaccine Booster

Cardiovascular complications such as arrhythmias, hypoxemic cardiomyopathy, pericarditis, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and myocarditis are rare but seen in COVID-19 patients. These cardiac injuries could be the result of direct SARS-CoV-2 effects. The most prominent mediator of this hypothesis is angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) receptors, which are highly expressed in heart and lung tissues. These ACE2 receptors are found to be the functional receptors for the Coronavirus. Another hypothesis for cardiac complications in COVID-19 patients is macrophage-induced inflammation. The SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to invasion of epithelial cells by binding with ACE-2 receptors, localized inflammation, endothelial and macrophage activation, tissue damage, and dysregulated cytokine release. Current data have shown that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are efficacious and safe for indicated patients. However, these vaccines can cause mild adverse reactions similar to those of traditional vaccines, and more severe side effects can also be seen infrequently. The exact pathogenesis of COVID-19 vaccine-induced pericarditis remains unknown, but there are several hypotheses regarding the pathophysiology of pericarditis after COVID-19 vaccine administrations. There has been speculation that mRNA vaccines can produce a large number of antibodies in a small subgroup of people, especially young individuals, and this elicits an inflammatory response similar to the multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Another proposed mechanism is the cross-reaction between produced antibodies and the pericardium, leading to myocardial and pericardial inflammation induction.

This report describes a 69-year-old female who presented with three days of chest pain that started one day after a booster shot of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The patient was diagnosed with pericarditis, and she was effectively treated with colchicine and later steroids.

COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination Mimicking Heart Attack in a Healthy 56-Year-Old Physician

We report our experience regarding a 56-year-old physician who developed severe symptoms mimicking a heart attack a few days after receiving the second dose of the new mRNA vaccine of Pfizer-BioNTech for COVID-19 protection. The patient is a healthy individual with no comorbidities and a normal clinical and laboratory profile. Five days after receiving the second dose on his left shoulder, he manifested sudden, severe pain on the whole left arm which lasted for about one hour, gradually intensifying and migrating to the chest and presenting as severe angina or heart attack. All work-up, however, was negative, with no evidence of ischemic heart attack or myocarditis. Severe acute symptoms lasted for about 20 h and completely resolved after 36 h. Although myocarditis as a potential side effect of the vaccine with associated heart pain has been identified, chest pain mimicking heart attack with otherwise normal workup has not been reported. Physicians must consider this likely rare and self-resolving symptom in order to increase awareness and prevent themselves and their patients from increased anxiety and unnecessary laboratory investigations.