J Korean Med Sci.  2023 Dec;38(48):e382. 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e382.

Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis Following COVID-19 Vaccination: A Case Report

• Hwang YK
• Kwak HH
• Yun JE
• Kim SH
• Chang YS

• KMID: 2549165
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e382

Abstract

The current emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the possible side effects of COVID-19 mRNA vaccination remain worrisome. Few cases of vaccination-related side effects, such as vasculitis, have been reported. Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), also known as Churg-Strauss syndrome, is a type of vasculitis characterized by the histological richness of eosinophils, asthma, polyneuropathy, sinusitis, and skin or lung involvement. Here, we report the first case of new onset EGPA following COVID-19 vaccination in Korea. A 71-year old woman developed a skin rash and presented with progressive weakness of the upper and lower extremities after the BNT162b2 vaccination (Pfizer-BioNTech). She was diagnosed with EGPA and her symptoms improved after systemic steroid and immunosuppressant therapy. Although it is very rare, clinicians should be aware that EGPA may occur after COVID-19 vaccination.

Keyword

Churg-Strauss Syndrome; COVID-19; Vaccination

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Erythematous skin lesion in (A) lower legs and (B) upper arms with discoloration. The figures are published under agreement of the patient.

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  Fig. 2 Skin biopsy (leg) showed accumulation of eosinophils.

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