Varicella-zoster virus reactivation causing herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination – report of three cases
Abstract Purpose We are reporting 3 patients who presented acute zoster ophthalmicus (HZO), an activation of varicella-zoster virus, after mRNA anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, seen directly or referred to our center. Cases A 73-year-old woman with history of ocular sarcoidosis presented HZO in the righ...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2021-09-01
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| Series: | Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12348-021-00260-4 |
| _version_ | 1818559707634204672 |
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| author | Ioannis Papasavvas Christian de Courten Carl P. Herbort |
| author_facet | Ioannis Papasavvas Christian de Courten Carl P. Herbort |
| author_sort | Ioannis Papasavvas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Purpose We are reporting 3 patients who presented acute zoster ophthalmicus (HZO), an activation of varicella-zoster virus, after mRNA anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, seen directly or referred to our center. Cases A 73-year-old woman with history of ocular sarcoidosis presented HZO in the right V1 dermatome 16 days after a single booster dose of vaccination (Pfizer BioNTech). A 69-year-old woman presented HZO in her V1 left dermatome, occurring 10 days after her first dose of Pfizer BioNTech vaccine. A 72-year-old woman with no history of autoimmune pathology, candidate for cataract surgery, presented 13 days after the first dose of a Moderna mRNA vaccine with an eruption in the left V1 dermatome. All patients presented the VZV infection after their first dose of a mRNA type of vaccine. Treatment with Valacyclovir 1000 mg × 3/ day for 7–14 days was efficient in all cases. Conclusion Vaccines have been reported in the past to trigger different types of side effects such as viral or flu-like symptoms. It is only logical to note many different side effects for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines as the population vaccinated is exceeding any other number in history. VZV is one of the more severe side effects that can, however, be treated. It is quite obvious that, as far as mRNA vaccines are concerned, and probably also other anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, that the benefit of vaccination certainly outweighs the possible but very low risk of ocular side effects that can mostly be treated. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T00:29:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-156cce19767742b3b64947f01f32ab06 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1869-5760 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T00:29:03Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection |
| spelling | doaj.art-156cce19767742b3b64947f01f32ab062022-12-21T23:24:55ZengSpringerOpenJournal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection1869-57602021-09-011111410.1186/s12348-021-00260-4Varicella-zoster virus reactivation causing herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination – report of three casesIoannis Papasavvas0Christian de Courten1Carl P. Herbort2Retinal and Inflammatory Eye Diseases, Centre for Ophthalmic Specialised Care (COS), Clinic Montchoisi Teaching CentreClinic Montchoisi Teaching CentreRetinal and Inflammatory Eye Diseases, Centre for Ophthalmic Specialised Care (COS), Clinic Montchoisi Teaching CentreAbstract Purpose We are reporting 3 patients who presented acute zoster ophthalmicus (HZO), an activation of varicella-zoster virus, after mRNA anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, seen directly or referred to our center. Cases A 73-year-old woman with history of ocular sarcoidosis presented HZO in the right V1 dermatome 16 days after a single booster dose of vaccination (Pfizer BioNTech). A 69-year-old woman presented HZO in her V1 left dermatome, occurring 10 days after her first dose of Pfizer BioNTech vaccine. A 72-year-old woman with no history of autoimmune pathology, candidate for cataract surgery, presented 13 days after the first dose of a Moderna mRNA vaccine with an eruption in the left V1 dermatome. All patients presented the VZV infection after their first dose of a mRNA type of vaccine. Treatment with Valacyclovir 1000 mg × 3/ day for 7–14 days was efficient in all cases. Conclusion Vaccines have been reported in the past to trigger different types of side effects such as viral or flu-like symptoms. It is only logical to note many different side effects for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines as the population vaccinated is exceeding any other number in history. VZV is one of the more severe side effects that can, however, be treated. It is quite obvious that, as far as mRNA vaccines are concerned, and probably also other anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, that the benefit of vaccination certainly outweighs the possible but very low risk of ocular side effects that can mostly be treated.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12348-021-00260-4Herpes-zoster ophthalmicusSARS-CoV-2 vaccinemRNA vaccine |
| spellingShingle | Ioannis Papasavvas Christian de Courten Carl P. Herbort Varicella-zoster virus reactivation causing herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination – report of three cases Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection Herpes-zoster ophthalmicus SARS-CoV-2 vaccine mRNA vaccine |
| title | Varicella-zoster virus reactivation causing herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination – report of three cases |
| title_full | Varicella-zoster virus reactivation causing herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination – report of three cases |
| title_fullStr | Varicella-zoster virus reactivation causing herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination – report of three cases |
| title_full_unstemmed | Varicella-zoster virus reactivation causing herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination – report of three cases |
| title_short | Varicella-zoster virus reactivation causing herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination – report of three cases |
| title_sort | varicella zoster virus reactivation causing herpes zoster ophthalmicus hzo after sars cov 2 vaccination report of three cases |
| topic | Herpes-zoster ophthalmicus SARS-CoV-2 vaccine mRNA vaccine |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12348-021-00260-4 |
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