Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria after COVID-19 primary vaccine series and boosters

A case with recurrent idiopathic anaphylaxis episodes starting soon after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination

INTRODUCTION

A patient was presented with a history of idiopathic recurrent anaphylaxis after administration of Pfizer BioNTech mRNA vaccine, and the attacks were controlled with omalizumab. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of recurrent idiopathic anaphylaxis (IA) after administration of Pfizer BioNTech mRNA vaccine.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 52-year-old man with recurrent episodes of IA after COVID-19 vaccination presented to our adult Allergy and Immunology Clinic. In the patient, urticaria and anaphylaxis episodes could not be controlled with high-dose antihistamine and systemic steroid treatment, and complete control was achieved with omalizumab treatment and anaphylaxis attacks completely regressed.

CONCLUSION

In cases of unexplained or recurrent anaphylaxis in adult patients, COVID-19 vaccination and timing should be questioned, and its association with anaphylaxis might be considered.

Chronic urticaria: not only after COVID-19 vaccination

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To resume the current literature about vaccination and the onset of chronic urticaria.

RECENT FINDINGS

The recent large-scale vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 targeting elderly, adult and children, has highlighted how vaccines can trigger onset or exacerbation of chronic urticaria.

SUMMARY

COVID-19 vaccines may act as triggers in the development of chronic spontaneous urticaria. More data regarding the other vaccines are necessary to evaluate a similar potential role. Proper education of patients with vaccine-induced chronic urticaria is essential to avoid vaccination hesitancy.

A Practical Approach to Diagnosing and Managing Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is an unpredictable inflammatory skin condition characterized by the spontaneous onset of itchy wheals, angioedema, or both, which occurs for longer than 6 weeks overall. Despite the relatively straightforward diagnostic algorithm for CSU, relying primarily on a detailed medical history and only limited laboratory tests, patients often wait years to be diagnosed, with many cycling through different healthcare practitioners before a diagnosis is made. Even then, current treatment options for CSU are limited, with approximately half of patients resistant to standard-of-care second-generation antihistamines at standard or higher doses. As such, there is an unmet need for improved, streamlined management for patients with CSU. Here, we review the evidence-based diagnostic algorithm for CSU, consider the required steps of the diagnostic workup, and provide practical, real-world advice on the management of CSU to improve the timely diagnosis and care of patients with this debilitating disease.

Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Following mRNA COVID-19 Booster Vaccination at a Military Academy

Several adverse cutaneous reactions have been reported in the literature after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination with emerging reports on chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). However, there is little literature of chronic urticaria after COVID-19 boosters in a military population and the impact on operational readiness. We present a retrospective case series of CSU following Moderna COVID-19 booster vaccinations at the US Naval Academy (USNA). Demographics, clinical features, and impact on readiness were evaluated. Forty-nine students from the USNA were evaluated for urticaria after their third COVID-19 booster vaccination. Seventeen individuals were diagnosed with CSU. The median age was 20 years and predominantly male; the median time interval between vaccination and the onset of urticaria was 11 days. Out of 13 referred to Allergy, 7 patients had CU index performed and 2 were positive. Four patients received a second booster vaccination subsequently and did not have any exacerbation of symptoms. Symptoms were controlled with antihistamines, and none required immunomodulator or immunosuppressive therapies. All students were able to complete their commissioning, and none were referred for a medical board. In this series, USNA students who developed CSU after the mRNA COVID-19 Moderna booster vaccine did not have limitations from commissioning, duty status, or issues with subsequent COVID-19 vaccinations.

COVID-19 and Its Impact on Common Diseases in the Allergy Clinics

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious viral disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It has various effects on asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and urticaria and may change the course of the disease depending on the severity of the infection and control status of the disease. Conversely, these diseases may also impact the course of COVID-19. Patients with chronic urticaria and atopic dermatitis may have COVID-19-induced disease exacerbations and biological treatments reduce the risk of exacerbations. Poor asthma control is linked to severe COVID-19 while allergic asthma is associated with lower risk of death and a lower rate of hospitalization due to COVID-19 compared with nonallergic asthma. The use of intranasal corticosteroids is associated with lower rates of hospitalization due to COVID-19 in patients with allergic rhinitis, whereas the effect of inhaled corticosteroids is confounded by asthma severity. These observations reinforce the importance of keeping allergic diseases under control during pandemics. The use of biologicals during COVID-19 is generally regarded as safe, but more evidence is needed. The pandemic substantially changed the management of allergic disorders such as home implementation of various biologicals, allergen immunotherapy, food introduction, and increased use of telemedicine and even home management of anaphylaxis to reduce emergency department burden and reduce risk of infection. Physicians need to be aware of the potential impact of COVID-19 on allergic diseases and educate their patients on the importance of continuing prescribed medications and adhering to their treatment plans to maintain optimal control of their disease.

New-onset chronic spontaneous urticaria post-COVID-19 vaccination-South African case series

Background

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is defined as the spontaneous occurrence of hives, angioedema, or both for more than 6 weeks; several inciting triggers including vaccines have been implicated. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations have been well tolerated by patients with CSU. However, reports have emerged of CSU triggered by COVID-19 vaccination and this study describes a South African case series.

Objective

To provide details of the first case series of new-onset CSU post-COVID-19 vaccination in Africa and summarize the global literature of reported cases to date.

Methods

All patients referred to our Urticaria Center of Excellence in Cape Town from the initiation of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in South Africa (from February 2021 to August 2022) were reviewed to identify patients who developed new-onset CSU within 12 weeks of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Medical history, physical examinations, and laboratory investigations were reviewed.

Results

More than 20 million adults received COVID-19 vaccinations in South Africa during the study period. Eight patients had new-onset chronic urticaria post-COVID-19 vaccination; 6 of the 8 patients were female, the median age was 41 years (interquartile range [IQR], 38-44), and all had a history of atopy. Only 1 reported COVID-19 infection post vaccination. Chronic urticaria occurred following Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, and Janssen Ad26.COV2.S vaccination in 6, 1, and 1 patient, respectively, with a median of 12 days (IQR, 3-38) from vaccination to symptoms onset. The baseline median score for Urticarial Activity Score 7 was 34 (IQR, 29-40), and 5 of the 8 patients (63%) had a total IgE level of more than 43 IU/L. All patients received high-dose antihistamines, with only 3 patients controlled.

Conclusions

New-onset CSU can rarely be triggered by COVID-19 vaccinations, most commonly mRNA vaccines. COVID-19 vaccine-triggered CSU appears to have a phenotype similar to that triggered by other inciting agents and across populations.

Urticaria exacerbations and adverse reactions in patients with chronic urticaria receiving COVID-19 vaccination: Results of the UCARE COVAC-CU study

BACKGROUND

Concern about disease exacerbations and fear of reactions after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations are common in chronic urticaria (CU) patients and may lead to vaccine hesitancy.

OBJECTIVE

We assessed the frequency and risk factors of CU exacerbation and adverse reactions in CU patients after COVID-19 vaccination.

METHODS

COVAC-CU is an international multicenter study of Urticaria Centers of Reference and Excellence (UCAREs) that retrospectively evaluated the effects of COVID-19 vaccination in CU patients aged ≥18 years and vaccinated with ≥1 dose of any COVID-19 vaccine. We evaluated CU exacerbations and severe allergic reactions as well as other adverse events associated with COVID-19 vaccinations and their association with various CU parameters.

RESULTS

Across 2769 COVID-19-vaccinated CU patients, most (90%) received at least 2 COVID-19 vaccine doses, and most patients received CU treatment and had well-controlled disease. The rate of COVID-19 vaccination-induced CU exacerbation was 9%. Of 223 patients with CU exacerbation after the first dose, 53.4% experienced recurrence of CU exacerbation after the second dose. CU exacerbation most often started <48 hours after vaccination (59.2%), lasted for a few weeks or less (70%), and was treated mainly with antihistamines (70.3%). Factors that increased the risk for COVID-19 vaccination-induced CU exacerbation included female sex, disease duration shorter than 24 months, having chronic spontaneous versus inducible urticaria, receipt of adenovirus viral vector vaccine, having nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug/aspirin intolerance, and having concerns about getting vaccinated; receiving omalizumab treatment and Latino/Hispanic ethnicity lowered the risk. First-dose vaccine-related adverse effects, most commonly local reactions, fever, fatigue, and muscle pain, were reported by 43.5% of CU patients. Seven patients reported severe allergic reactions.

CONCLUSIONS

COVID-19 vaccination leads to disease exacerbation in only a small number of CU patients and is generally well tolerated.

How Infection and Vaccination Are Linked to Acute and Chronic Urticaria: A Special Focus on COVID-19

Since more than a century ago, there has been awareness of the connection between viral infections and the onset and exacerbation of urticaria. Our knowledge about the role of viral infection and vaccination in acute and chronic urticaria improved as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic but it has also highlighted knowledge gaps. Viral infections, especially respiratory tract infections like COVID-19, can trigger the onset of acute urticaria (AU) and the exacerbation of chronic urticaria (CU). Less frequently, vaccination against viruses including SARS-CoV-2 can also lead to new onset urticaria as well as worsening of CU in minority. Here, with a particular focus on COVID-19, we review what is known about the role of viral infections and vaccinations as triggers and causes of acute and chronic urticaria. We also discuss possible mechanistic pathways and outline the unmet needs in our knowledge. Although the underlying mechanisms are not clearly understood, it is believed that viral signals, medications, and stress can activate skin mast cells (MCs). Further studies are needed to fully understand the relevance of viral infections and vaccinations in acute and chronic urticaria and to better clarify causal pathways.

A Systematic Review of Histopathologic Surveys on Mucocutaneous Biopsies in Patients Developed COVID-19 Vaccine-Related Dermatologic Manifestations

ABSTRACT

Coronavirus 2 is an infectious agent primarily identified as the cause of a pandemic viral pneumonia. With the mass vaccination against this virus, one of the health issues is the safety of currently available vaccines considering their adverse reactions. This systematic review was conducted to assess and summarize all reported data on histopathologic findings associated with mucocutaneous reactions that developed after COVID-19 vaccination for a better pathophysiology interpretation and clinical management of these reactions. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases as well as Google Scholar engine for relevant English articles published till July 1, 2022. This review includes 131 studies with a total number of 287 cases. Eruptions that underwent a biopsy were mostly described as erythematous maculopapular, papulosquamous, vasculitis-like, lichenoid, or urticarial lesions. Histopathology revealed spongiosis, interstitial, and perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltration, erythrocyte extravasation, parakeratosis, endothelial inflammation, and the like. Findings were highly consistent with morbilliform erythema, psoriasiform dermatosis, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, and lichenoid or urticarial drug reactions. The majority of these reactions had a mild nature and were primarily observed in patients with underlying health conditions. Microscopic evaluation was also consistent with transient inflammatory changes, and features like neutrophilic infiltrates, subcorneal pustules, and vasculopathy were less frequently reported than what seen in COVID infection. Therefore, dermatologic reactions developing after vaccination in the general population should not hinder a complete vaccination.

Perinatal/maternal-fetal-infant dermatologic manifestations of SARS-CoV-2. An Overview and Implications for diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis

Early identification of the dermatologic manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 in perinatal and maternal-fetal-infant populations is essential for early intervention in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of short and long term sequelae. Although cutaneous signs of SARS-CoV-2 are less common in pregnant women, neonates, and infants, the recognition of related skin lesions with regard to timing, location, duration, and pattern can lead to determining disease severity. While many pediatric patients may be asymptomatic with negative SARS-CoV-2 testing, skin lesions may be the only clue of infection. SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy can lead to severe life threatening illness and by understanding the cutaneous manifestations associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, early diagnosis can be made with improved maternal-fetal outcomes. A wide array of dermatologic presentations associated with SARS-CoV-2 are reported in the literature. This review explores the expanding reports in the literature of the dermatologic presentations of skin lesions related to SARS-CoV-2 specifically in perinatal and maternal-fetal-infant health and the implications for management. The collaboration of the specialties of dermatology, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, and infectious disease in the approach to SARS-CoV-2 disease can lead to a better understanding of the scope and presentation of this disease.