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BMC Oral Health

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Open Access 01-12-2022 | Herpes Virus | Case report

Oral erythema multiforme after Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination: a report of four cases

Authors: Massimo Petruzzi, Sara Galleggiante, Sabrina Messina, Fedora della Vella

Published in: BMC Oral Health | Issue 1/2022

Abstract

Background

The 2019 Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has affected thousands of people worldwide. To date, vaccines appear to be the only method to prevent and reduce mortality. Four vaccinations have been outwardly approved by European Medicine Agency (EMA) in Europe: BNT162b2 (Comirnaty-BioNTech/Pfizer), mRNA-1273 (Spikevax-Moderna), ChAdOx1 (VaxzevriaAstrazeneca), and Ad26.COV2-S (Janssen-Johnson&Johnson). After vaccination, local and systemic adverse effects can occur. Cutaneous reactions like urticaria, local injection site pain, morbilliform rash have been documented after vaccination.

Cases presentation

We report four cases of oral erythema multiforme flare arising after BNT162b2 vaccination administration. All the patients denied previous erythema-like and herpetic manifestations history. Two of the reported cases (number 1 and 2) presented with both oral and cutaneous lesions, while cases 3 and 4 showed only oral manifestations. Three of the cases presented the erythema after the first vaccination dosage administration, only one case reported lesions after the second vaccination dosage administration. All the cases were treated with prednisone via oral administration and topical 0.05% clobetasol ointment.

Conclusions

The present reports represent some of the few cases of erythema multiforme occurring as a side effect of the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccination. The causal role of the vaccine for the erythema multiforme has not been proven yet; nevertheless, it is not uncommon for medications to trigger this disease. The vaccine could surface a silent herpes virus infection, which would induce the erythema multiforme instead.

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Title: Oral erythema multiforme after Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination: a report of four cases
Authors: Massimo Petruzzi
Sara Galleggiante
Sabrina Messina
Fedora della Vella
Publication date: 01-12-2022
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Herpes Virus
COVID-19 Vaccination
Vaccination
Erythema Exsudativum Multiforme
COVID-19
Erythema Exsudativum Multiforme
Published in: BMC Oral Health / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6831
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-022-02124-2

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Oral erythema multiforme after Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination: a report of four cases

Abstract

Background

Cases presentation

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Cases presentation

Conclusions

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