Dermatomyositis Following BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination

Wesam Gouda 1 2, Anwar Albasri 3 4, Faisal Alsaqabi 3, Humoud Y Al Sabah 5, Marwan Alkandari 6, Hassan Abdelnaby 7

Affiliations

07 February 2022

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doi: 10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e32

Abstract

Dermatomyositis (DM) is one of the uncommon multi-organ idiopathic inflammatory myopathies that has been reported following the hepatitis B, Influenza, tetanus toxoid, H1N1, and BCG vaccines. However, an association with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine is yet to be reported. In this case, we present the case of a 43-year-old Asian Indian female who was diagnosed with DM 10 days after receiving the second dosage of BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, in the absence of any additional triggering factors. The diagnosis was established based on physical examination, serological antibodies, magnetic resonance imaging of the muscles, skin biopsy, and electromyography. She received standard treatment for DM, including oral high doses of prednisolone, hydroxychloroquine, mycophenolate, and physiotherapy. The treatment successfully reversed skin changes and muscle weakness. This is the first reported case of classic DM complicated by interstitial lung disease following COVID-19 vaccination. More clinical and functional studies are needed to elucidate this association. Clinicians should be aware of this unexpected adverse event following COVID-19 vaccination and arrange for appropriate management.

Keywords: Adverse Event Following Immunization; COVID-19; Creatinine Phosphokinase; Dermatomyositis; Myopathy; Myositis; Vaccination; mRNA Vaccines.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.

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