Stevens–Johnson syndrome precipitated by Moderna Inc. COVID ‐19 vaccine: a case‐based review of literature comparing vaccine and drug‐induced Stevens–Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis

Cutaneous adverse reactions associated with COVID-19 vaccines: Current evidence and potential immune mechanisms

As the number of vaccinated individuals has increased, there have been increasing reports of cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions. The main COVID-19 vaccines administered include messenger ribonucleic acid vaccines, non-replicating viral vector vaccines, inactivated whole-virus vaccines, and protein-based vaccines. These vaccines contain active components such as polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, aluminum, tromethamine, and disodium edetate dihydrate. Recent advances in understanding the coordination of inflammatory responses by specific subsets of lymphocytes have led to a new classification based on immune response patterns. We categorize these responses into four patterns: T helper (Th)1-, Th2-, Th17/22-, and Treg-polarized cutaneous inflammation after stimulation of COVID-19 vaccines. Although the association between COVID-19 vaccination and these cutaneous adverse reactions remains controversial, the occurrence of rare dermatoses and their short intervals suggest a possible relationship. Despite the potential adverse reactions, the administration of COVID-19 vaccines is crucial in the ongoing battle against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis After COVID-19 Vaccination: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Following vaccination for COVID-19, various cutaneous adverse reactions (CARs) are reported. Here is an Asian male in late 50's who developed necrotic skin with mucosal involvement 10 days following booster dose of ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccination. Based on disease course and morphology, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) was suspected. The patient developed respiratory distress and was intubated, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) administered at 2 g/kg body weight following which skin lesions healed in fourth week, the patient was discharged after 50 days of intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Severe CARs are rare following vaccination, of two components in ChAdOx1nCoV-19 adenoviral vector vaccine, virotopes cause T-cell mediated granulysin and granzyme B release leading to epidermal detachment and mucosal involvement of conducting airways causing respiratory failure. CARs can also occur in whom first and second dose was uneventful. Supportive therapy and prevention of sepsis are mainstay of management. Though the use of IVIG has shown conflicting results, our case was successfully managed with IVIG.

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis after COVID-19 mRNA-1237 Vaccination

This letter illustrates a case of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) after COVID-19 mRNA-1273 vaccination, which corresponds with the existing published data and contributes detailed knowledge of TEN reaction after vaccination. Interestingly, the reaction started at the site of vaccination and the patient went on to tolerate a major excipient of the vaccine suggesting the reaction may be associated with the mRNA itself or is triggered by the immunostimulatory action of the vaccine.

Background rates for severe cutaneous reactions in the US: Contextual support for safety assessment of COVID-19 vaccines and novel biologics

The global COVID-19 public health crisis has resulted in extraordinary collaboration to expeditiously develop vaccines and therapeutics. The safety of these biologics is closely monitored by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Novel products may have limited safety data, and although serious medical outcomes associated with vaccination are rare, knowledge of background incidence rates of medical conditions in the US population puts reported adverse events (AEs) in perspective for further study. Although relatively minor vaccination skin reactions are common, rare instances of severe delayed hypersensitivity reactions such as erythema multiforme (EM), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and SJS/TEN overlap syndrome may occur. To aid in the assessment of these events, we performed a literature search in PubMed and Web of Science on the background incidence of EM, SJS, SJS/TEN, and TEN in the US population and on published reports of these conditions occurring post-vaccination. The US background annual incidence rates per million individuals of all ages ranged from 5.3 to 63.0 for SJS, from 0.4 to 5.0 for TEN, and from 0.8 to 1.6 for SJS/TEN. Since these conditions may overlap, some studies reported rates for EM/SJS/TEN combined, however we did not find studies with exclusive EM incidence rates. The published literature, including studies of reports submitted to the FDA/CDC Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), describes post-vaccination EM, SJS, SJS/TEN and/or TEN as rare occurrences. The vaccines most frequently associated with these conditions were measles, mumps, and rubella; diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis; and varicella. The majority of VAERS reports of EM, SJS, SJS/TEN, or TEN occurred in children within 30 days of vaccination. This review summarizes background rates of these disorders in the general population and published AEs among vaccine recipients, to support safety surveillance of COVID-19 vaccines and other biologics.

An Update in COVID-19 Vaccine Reactions in 2023: Progress and Understanding

It has been 3 years since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was initially declared, and 2 years have passed since the first COVID-19 vaccines were introduced. Since then, 13.2 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered worldwide, largely with multiple doses of messenger RNA vaccines. Although mild local and systemic adverse effects after COVID-19 vaccination are common, serious adverse effects following immunization are rare, particularly when compared with the large number of vaccine doses administered. Immediate and delayed reactions are relatively common and present similarly to allergic and hypersensitivity reactions. Despite this, reactions generally do not commonly recur, cause sequelae, or contraindicate revaccination. In this Clinical Management Review, we provide an updated perspective of COVID-19 vaccine reactions, their spectrum and epidemiology, and recommended approaches to evaluation and management.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome after COVID-19 infection and vaccination

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a rare but severe skin reaction characterized by blistering and peeling of the skin and ulcerations of mucous membranes; toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a subset of SJS characterized by the involvement of >30% of the skin. Though previously associated with drugs and infections, discussions on the association between TEN/SJS and COVID-19 have been limited. We present a review of TEN/SJS after COVID-19 infection and vaccination. Literature searches were conducted on PubMed and Google Scholar from 2019 to 8/2022. Thirty-eight articles were selected based on subject relevance, and references within selected articles were also screened for relevance. As of 8/2022, there have been 34 published cases of TEN, SJS, and SJS-TEN overlap after COVID-19 infection and vaccination, including 12 cases after vaccination and 22 cases after infection. Multiple authors hypothesize that virotopes or excipients in COVID-19 vaccines can activate T-cells or cytokines to induce TEN/SJS. Meanwhile, some hypothesize that COVID-19 infection induces immune activation that can trigger TEN/SJS or increase susceptibility to drug-induced TEN/SJS. Treatments for post-infection and post-vaccination TEN/SJS vary significantly. We recommend remaining vigilant for this rare and severe potential complication.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis after first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) vaccination with pharmacogenomic testing

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare and acute life-threatening condition and one of the severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions. There are limited data on TEN from the COVID-19 vaccine regarding its pathogenesis, treatment, and prognosis, particularly in children. We report a case of COVID-19 vaccine-induced TEN and the patient's human leukocyte antigen pharmacogenomic profile.