Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Anterior Uveitis following Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination in an Asian Indian Female

Viral reactivation following COVID-19 vaccination: a review of the current literature

Currently, four vaccines for COVID-19 have been licensed by the European Medicines Agency: two viral vector-based vaccines and two mRNA-based vaccines. Since their approval, several cutaneous reactions related to vaccination have been reported in the literature. Among these, viral reactivations are one of the most frequent. The aim of this article was to investigate the current literature regarding viral reactivations following COVID-19 vaccination, focusing attention on pityriasis rosea (PR), herpes zoster and herpes simplex. A comprehensive literature search using various databases was performed and we included metanalyses, reviews, letters to the editor, real-life studies, case series and reports. A total of 48 articles involving 2067 patients were selected. Of these, 32, 6 and 17 articles reported varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation (1758 patients), herpes simplex virus (HSV) (238 patients) onset and PR (71 patients), respectively (some articles discussed more than one of these three reactivations). Possible pathogenetic mechanisms underlying viral reactivation are still not understood. Also, the possible correlations between vaccination and viral reactivation should be clarified. Certainly, vaccination should not be discouraged.

Herpesviruses reactivation following COVID-19 vaccination: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The reactivation of herpesviruses (HHV) in COVID-19 patients is evident in the literature. Several reports have been published regarding the reactivation of these viruses (HSV, VZV, EBV, and CMV) among those who got COVID-19 vaccines. In this study, we aimed to review the current evidence to assess whether HHVs reactivation has any association with the prior administration of COVID-19 vaccines.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted on 25 September 2022 in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and EMBASE. We included all observational studies, case reports, and case series which reported the reactivation of human herpesviruses following administration of COVID-19 vaccines.

RESULTS

Our systematic search showed 80 articles that meet the eligibility criteria. Among the evaluated COVID-19 vaccines, most of the vaccines were mRNA based. Evidence from observational studies showed the possible relation between COVID-19 vaccine administration and VZV and HSV reactivation. The results of our proportion meta-analysis showed that the rate of VZV reactivation among those who received the COVID-19 vaccine was 14 persons per 1000 vaccinations (95% CI 2.97-32.80). Moreover, our meta-analysis for HSV reactivation showed the rate of 16 persons per 1000 vaccinations (95% CI 1.06-46.4). Furthermore, the evidence from case reports/series showed 149 cases of HHV reactivation. There were several vaccines that caused reactivation including BNT162b2 mRNA or Pfizer-BioNTech (n = 76), Oxford-AstraZeneca (n = 22), mRNA-1273 or Moderna (n = 17), Sinovac (n = 4), BBIBP-CorV or Sinopharm (n = 3), Covaxin (n = 3), Covishield (n = 3), and Johnson and Johnson (n = 1). Reactivated HHVs included varicella-zoster virus (VZV) (n = 114), cytomegalovirus (CMV) (n = 15), herpes simplex virus (HSV) (n = 14), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (n = 6), and HHV-6 (n = 2). Most cases reported their disease after the first dose of the vaccine. Many patients reported having comorbidities, of which hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, chicken pox, and atrial fibrillation were common.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our study showed the possible association between COVID-19 vaccination and herpesvirus reactivation. The evidence for VZV and HSV was supported by observational studies. However, regarding other herpesviruses (EBV and CMV), further research especially from observational studies and clinical trials is required to elucidate the interaction between COVID-19 vaccination and their reactivation.

COVID Vaccine-Associated Uveitis

PURPOSE

Following the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, different vaccines were developed and approved by the main medical authorities under emergency protocol regulations. Although highly effective and well-tolerated in most patients, vaccines can uncommonly cause ocular adverse effects. In this article, the current evidence related to vaccine-associated uveitis is reviewed.

METHODS

A literature review of uveitis post various SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations.

RESULTS

Uveitis was reported following various forms of vaccinations but was more commonly seen following the Pfizer mRNA vaccine which is the most used vaccination worldwide. In western countries, the most common uveitis is mild anterior uveitis, developing within a week of first or subsequent vaccination with good resolution following appropriate topical steroid therapy in most cases. Posterior uveitis and particularly Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease was more prevalent in Asia. Uveitis may develop among known uveitis patients and those with other autoimmune diseases.

CONCLUSION

Uveitis following Covid vaccinations is uncommon and has a good prognosis.

Long-term follow-up of acute retinal necrosis with retinal detachment secondary to herpes simplex virus type 2 with a successful visual outcome

A man in his early 20s presented with acute loss of vision in his only eye, the left eye (OS), and was on oral steroids. He had lost vision in his right eye during his childhood and the cause was unknown. There was no history of trauma. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in OS was 20/100 and in the right eye was hand movements. OS showed non-granulomatous keratic precipitates on the cornea, anterior chamber flare 1+ and cell 1+, early cataract, vitreous haze and cells 2+ with nasal retinal detachment and superior full thickness retinitis. He underwent pars plana vitrectomy with intravitreal ganciclovir and barrage laser away from the necrotic retina. PCR for herpes simplex virus 2 was positive from the aqueous and vitreous sample. He was started on oral valacyclovir 1 g three times a day and continued on tapering dose of oral steroids. BCVA in OS at 6-month follow-up was 20/25.

The Characteristics of COVID-19 Vaccine-Associated Uveitis: A Summative Systematic Review

Numerous complications following COVID-19 vaccination has been reported in the literature, with an increasing body of evidence reporting vaccination-associated uveitis (VAU). In this systematic review, we searched six electronic databases for articles reporting the occurrence of VAU following COVID-19 vaccination. Data were synthesized with emphasis on patients' characteristics [age, gender], vaccination characteristics [type, dose], and outcome findings [type, nature, laterality, course, location, onset, underlying cause, and associated findings]. Data are presented as numbers (percentages) for categorical data and as mean (standard deviation) for continuous data. Sixty-five studies were finally included [43 case reports, 16 case series, four cohort, one cross-sectional, and one registry-based study]. VAU occurred in 1526 cases, most commonly in females (68.93%) and middle-aged individuals (41-50 years: 19.71%), following the first dose (49.35%) of vaccination, especially in those who received Pfizer (77.90%). VAU occurred acutely (71.77%) as an inflammatory reaction (88.29%) in unilateral eyes (77.69%), particularly in the anterior portion of the uvea (54.13%). Importantly, most cases had a new onset (69.92%) while only a limited portion of cases had a reactivation of previous uveitis condition. In conclusion, although rare, uveitis following COVID-19 vaccination should be considered in new-onset and recurrent cases presenting with either acute or chronic events.

Incidence of COVID-19 Vaccination-Related Uveitis and Effects of Booster Dose in a Tertiary Uveitis Referral Center

Background

We report vaccine and booster-related uveitis in Singapore, a country with high vaccination and booster rates to highlight the differences and potential role of prophylactic treatment for sight-threatening infectious uveitis.

Methods

Clinical data extracted from the de-identified uveitis database in Singapore National Eye Center. Six patients (eight eyes) developed uveitis within 14 days after undergoing COVID-19 vaccination (primary and/or booster).

Results

All patients received two doses of COVID-19 vaccination, and 1.39% (6/431) developed COVID-19 vaccine-related uveitis. Fifty-percent% (3/6) with non-infectious anterior uveitis (NIAU) presented with a non-granulomatous anterior uveitis (AU). The remaining (3/6) presenting with a granulomatous AU were diagnosed with reactivation of cytomegalovirus, varicella-zoster virus and toxoplasma chorioretinitis, respectively. All the patients responded to definitive treatment specific to their diagnosis. The mean visual acuity at presentation was 0.36 ± 0.20 logMAR and improved to 0.75 ± 0.09 (p = 0.009). Mean time from vaccination to uveitis was 9.7 (range: 3–14) days. All patients developed uveitis after second vaccination dose. 16.67% (1/6) patients had a recurrence after the third booster dose. None of the three patients with infectious uveitis developed recurrence but had received maintenance therapy up to or during the booster.

Conclusion

Uveitis after COVID-19 vaccination is uncommon. In our series, a higher rate of reactivations of latent infections was seen. With definitive treatment, all cases were self-limited without systemic sequelae. Prophylactic treatment during booster vaccine may prevent reactivation of sight-threatening infections and reduce morbidity although risk-benefits should be considered for individual patients given the low rate of occurrence.