Is Covid Vaccine (Covishield) Giving Rise to De Novo Cutaneous Autoimmune Disorders and Aggravating the Existing Ones: A Case Series of 10 Patients with Review of Literature
Main Article Content
Abstract
Introduction: Covid-19 which is an ongoing pandemic, has already caused millions of deaths and disabilities till date. Covid scenario and mass vaccination has completely changed the understanding of dermatological disorders. The clinicians are noticing a sudden increase in new onset autoimmune disorders and aggravation of existing ones. The study is based on 3 hypotheses i.e. antibody dependent enhancement of virus, molecular mimicry and antigen-antibody complex formation, explaining the pathogenesis involved in vaccine induced cutaneous autoimmune disorders.
Methods: In this prospective observational study, we observed 2 groups of patients following Covishield vaccine-
Group 1: appearance of new lesions pertaining to autoimmune disorders
Group 2: exacerbation of cutaneous lesions of already existing autoimmune disorder
The diagnosis was made based on appearance of clinical signs within 6 weeks of vaccination dose and the clinical diagnosis was established by at least two Dermatologists.
Results: Ten patients were enrolled in this study over a period of 6 months. Six patients (Group 1) presented with new onset of lesions whereas 4 patients (group 2) presented with exacerbation of existing autoimmune disease. Patients were given medical treatment as per disease severity along with proper nutritional support and antioxidants.
Conclusion: This article highlights the importance of creating awareness and staying vigilant for the appearance of any new autoimmune disease and exacerbation of existing disorder and for future course of action for choice of vaccination and booster doses. A chronological association in last 6 weeks of vaccination dosage must be evaluated in detail and causative association should be considered in autoimmune disorders. Whether the relationship between Covid vaccination and autoimmune phenomenon is causal or coincidental still remains unknown and large multi-centre studies are required to assess the same.
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