Persistent varicella zoster virus infection following mRNA COVID‐19 vaccination was associated with the presence of encoded spike protein in the lesion

Abstract Background Since the campaign of vaccination against COVID‐19 was started, a wide variety of cutaneous adverse effects after vaccination has been documented worldwide. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation was reportedly the most frequent cutaneous reaction in men after administration o...

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Main Authors: Mayuko Yamamoto, Misaki Kase, Hozumi Sano, Reiko Kamijima, Shigetoshi Sano
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-02-01
Series:Journal of Cutaneous Immunology and Allergy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/cia2.12278
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author Mayuko Yamamoto
Misaki Kase
Hozumi Sano
Reiko Kamijima
Shigetoshi Sano
author_facet Mayuko Yamamoto
Misaki Kase
Hozumi Sano
Reiko Kamijima
Shigetoshi Sano
author_sort Mayuko Yamamoto
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Since the campaign of vaccination against COVID‐19 was started, a wide variety of cutaneous adverse effects after vaccination has been documented worldwide. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation was reportedly the most frequent cutaneous reaction in men after administration of mRNA COVID‐19 vaccines, especially BNT162b2. Aims A patient, who had persistent skin lesions after BNT162b2 vaccination for such a long duration over 3 months, was investigated for VZV virus and any involvement of vaccine‐derived spike protein. Materials & Methods Immunohistochemistry for detection of VZV virus and the spike protein encoded by mRNA COVID‐19 vaccine. PCR analysis for VZV virus. Results The diagnosis of VZV infection was made for these lesions using PCR analyses and immunohistochemistry. Strikingly, the vaccine‐encoded spike protein of the COVID‐19 virus was expressed in the vesicular keratinocytes and endothelial cells in the dermis. Discussion mRNA COVID‐19 vaccination might induce persistent VZV reactivation through perturbing the immune system, although it remained elusive whether the expressed spike protein played a pathogenic role. Conclusion We presented a case of persistent VZV infection following mRNA COVID‐19 vaccination and the presence of spike protein in the affected skin. Further vigilance of the vaccine side effect and investigation for the role of SP is warranted.
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spelling doaj.art-883fc9ab78e04b82bd8ccbb99d9b7e662024-08-03T12:40:58ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Journal of Cutaneous Immunology and Allergy2574-45932023-02-0161182310.1002/cia2.12278Persistent varicella zoster virus infection following mRNA COVID‐19 vaccination was associated with the presence of encoded spike protein in the lesionMayuko Yamamoto0Misaki Kase1Hozumi Sano2Reiko Kamijima3Shigetoshi Sano4Department of Dermatology, Kochi Medical School Kochi University Nankoku JapanDepartment of Dermatology, Kochi Medical School Kochi University Nankoku JapanDepartment of Dermatology, Kochi Medical School Kochi University Nankoku JapanDepartment of Dermatology, Kochi Medical School Kochi University Nankoku JapanDepartment of Dermatology, Kochi Medical School Kochi University Nankoku JapanAbstract Background Since the campaign of vaccination against COVID‐19 was started, a wide variety of cutaneous adverse effects after vaccination has been documented worldwide. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation was reportedly the most frequent cutaneous reaction in men after administration of mRNA COVID‐19 vaccines, especially BNT162b2. Aims A patient, who had persistent skin lesions after BNT162b2 vaccination for such a long duration over 3 months, was investigated for VZV virus and any involvement of vaccine‐derived spike protein. Materials & Methods Immunohistochemistry for detection of VZV virus and the spike protein encoded by mRNA COVID‐19 vaccine. PCR analysis for VZV virus. Results The diagnosis of VZV infection was made for these lesions using PCR analyses and immunohistochemistry. Strikingly, the vaccine‐encoded spike protein of the COVID‐19 virus was expressed in the vesicular keratinocytes and endothelial cells in the dermis. Discussion mRNA COVID‐19 vaccination might induce persistent VZV reactivation through perturbing the immune system, although it remained elusive whether the expressed spike protein played a pathogenic role. Conclusion We presented a case of persistent VZV infection following mRNA COVID‐19 vaccination and the presence of spike protein in the affected skin. Further vigilance of the vaccine side effect and investigation for the role of SP is warranted.https://doi.org/10.1002/cia2.12278mRNA COVID‐19 vaccinespike proteinvaricella zoster virus reactivationvasculitis
spellingShingle Mayuko Yamamoto
Misaki Kase
Hozumi Sano
Reiko Kamijima
Shigetoshi Sano
Persistent varicella zoster virus infection following mRNA COVID‐19 vaccination was associated with the presence of encoded spike protein in the lesion
Journal of Cutaneous Immunology and Allergy
mRNA COVID‐19 vaccine
spike protein
varicella zoster virus reactivation
vasculitis
title Persistent varicella zoster virus infection following mRNA COVID‐19 vaccination was associated with the presence of encoded spike protein in the lesion
title_full Persistent varicella zoster virus infection following mRNA COVID‐19 vaccination was associated with the presence of encoded spike protein in the lesion
title_fullStr Persistent varicella zoster virus infection following mRNA COVID‐19 vaccination was associated with the presence of encoded spike protein in the lesion
title_full_unstemmed Persistent varicella zoster virus infection following mRNA COVID‐19 vaccination was associated with the presence of encoded spike protein in the lesion
title_short Persistent varicella zoster virus infection following mRNA COVID‐19 vaccination was associated with the presence of encoded spike protein in the lesion
title_sort persistent varicella zoster virus infection following mrna covid 19 vaccination was associated with the presence of encoded spike protein in the lesion
topic mRNA COVID‐19 vaccine
spike protein
varicella zoster virus reactivation
vasculitis
url https://doi.org/10.1002/cia2.12278
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AT misakikase persistentvaricellazostervirusinfectionfollowingmrnacovid19vaccinationwasassociatedwiththepresenceofencodedspikeproteininthelesion
AT hozumisano persistentvaricellazostervirusinfectionfollowingmrnacovid19vaccinationwasassociatedwiththepresenceofencodedspikeproteininthelesion
AT reikokamijima persistentvaricellazostervirusinfectionfollowingmrnacovid19vaccinationwasassociatedwiththepresenceofencodedspikeproteininthelesion
AT shigetoshisano persistentvaricellazostervirusinfectionfollowingmrnacovid19vaccinationwasassociatedwiththepresenceofencodedspikeproteininthelesion