Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research

The Korean Vaccine Society (대한백신학회)
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Epstein-Barr virus reactivation after COVID-19 vaccination in a young immunocompetent man: a case report

  • Astrid Herzum (Department of Dermatology, Di.S.Sal., University of Genoa, San Martino Polyclinic Hospital IRCCS) ;
  • Ilaria Trave (Department of Dermatology, Di.S.Sal., University of Genoa, San Martino Polyclinic Hospital IRCCS) ;
  • Federica D'Agostino (Department of Dermatology, Di.S.Sal., University of Genoa, San Martino Polyclinic Hospital IRCCS) ;
  • Martina Burlando (Department of Dermatology, Di.S.Sal., University of Genoa, San Martino Polyclinic Hospital IRCCS) ;
  • Emanuele Cozzani (Department of Dermatology, Di.S.Sal., University of Genoa, San Martino Polyclinic Hospital IRCCS) ;
  • Aurora Parodi (Department of Dermatology, Di.S.Sal., University of Genoa, San Martino Polyclinic Hospital IRCCS)
  • Received : 2022.01.15
  • Accepted : 2022.04.30
  • Published : 2022.05.31
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Abstract

We present the case of a 24-year-old Caucasian man, who developed a scaly erythematous skin rash after the second dose of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination with Comirnaty (BNT162b2, BioNTech/Pfizer; Pfizer, New York, NY, USA) and proved positive for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA vaccines have been associated with an up-regulated T helper type 1-cell response, possibly favoring an immune system imbalance. Also, EBV reactivation has been postulated after COVID-19 vaccination, but only in the immunosuppressed. Noteworthy we report the first case of EBV viral reactivation associated with cutaneous manifestations in an immunocompetent patient after the COVID-19 vaccine.

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References

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