Erythema Nodosum Manifestation Post COVID-19 Vaccine: A Case Report ()
1. Introduction
Erythema nodosum (EN) is a delayed hypersensitivity response that may be triggered by a range of conditions, including infection (mostly Streptococcus species) [1], medications, pregnancy, malignancies and inflammatory processes. First reported in late 2019, the COVID-19 has become a pandemic and has been mentioned in very few writing as an EN inducer [2] [3]. Some vaccines can also cause EN. The pathogenesis is unclear, but is considered a delayed hypersensitivity reaction triggered by exposure to an antigen [1]. This case is, to our knowledge, the first report of EN manifestation in the context of a COVID-19 vaccine. It seems likely that in 2021, COVID-19 vaccines will be globally available. Hence, we should be aware of their possible side effects
2. Case Report
A 66 years old female patient, with a breast cancer history since 2008 currently in remission, consulted for painful nodular lesions of the lower and upper limbs, evolving since one month. The investigation found the occurrence of EN 48 hours following the second injection of the “Astrazeneca” vaccine. The patient did not report any recent infectious episode. The physical examination found numerous, erythematous dermohypodermatitis knots of the 4 limbs. Some of them were regressive in appearance according to the biligenesis shades. Diameter ranged from 2 to 3 cm (Figure 1). There was no palpable adenopathy. Biology (Table 1) and radiology assessments consisting of CBC, CRP, ASO, transaminases, a fecal culture and chest radiography were done and had no pathological findings except an elevated ESR. Hepatitis B and C serology were negative.
The skin biopsy showed fibrosing septal hypodermitis without vascular involvement associated with a minimal dermohypodermal granulomatous infiltrate suggesting an EN (Figure 2).
The patient received a symptomatic treatment consisting of Vitamin C, antihistaminic, emollient and dermocorticoids. 10 days after initial diagnosis, the patient had a slight improvement of the lesions (Figure 3).
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Figure 1. Aspect of EN at admission (A: upper limbs/B: lower limbs).
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Figure 2. Fibrosing septal hypodermitis (HE stain/magnification: x40).
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Figure 3. Aspect of EN 10 days after treatment.
3. Discussion
Erythema nodosum (EN) is the most frequent clinical form of acute hypodermitis in young women with a mean age around 20 to 40 years [4] [5] [6]. In our case, the apparition of EN is late onset at 66 years old. The typical manifestations of EN are erythematous, painful, bilateral nodules on the lateral sides of the extremities, especially the lower limbs [2]. In our observation, the symptomatology involved all 4 limbs which make our case special.
EN usually resolves spontaneously within 8 weeks [1]. The diagnosis is usually clinical but in some doubtful cases, a biopsy may be required [7]. Independently of etiology, EN is characterized by typical histological features: inflammation of the dermohypodermic junction and the periphery of the septa, containing neutrophils and eosinophils, turning to an infiltrate of lymphocytes and histiocytes as the process evolves, which is in concordance with our case. Histiocytic granulomas, known as Miescher’s radial granulomas, can also be found [6].
The assessment made in our case aims to eliminate the most frequent causes of this dermatosis, which are haemolytic streptococcal infections, sarcoidosis and bacterial or inflammatory enteropathies.
In 15% - 50% of cases of EN, the etiology remains undetermined.
The imputability of a drug, when it is evoked, is difficult to prove.
Some vaccines can induce EN, such as BCG, hepatitis B or typhoid fever vaccines [8] [9]. Rare cases mentioned a vaccine against HPV as an EN inducer [10] [11].
In our patient, recent vaccine administration is the trigger for EN. To the best of our knowledge no previous association between EN and COVID-19 vaccine has been reported.
The pathogenesis of EN is unclear, but is considered a delayed hypersensitivity reaction triggered by exposure to an antigen. In this observation, the lesions appeared 48 hours after vaccination, which is in line with the hypothesis cited above.
In fact, some vaccines introduce a mild infection that resembles the real infection, leading to a strong immune response [12].
COVID-19 infection can lead to a deregulated immune response. Rare cases of EN have been recently described in association with COVID-19 [2] [3].
Certain inflammatory markers are increased in COVID-19 such as IL-1, -2, -6, -7, and -10 [13] [14]. In patients with EN, polymorphisms of IL-1 and -6 promoter genes have been described [15] [16], as well as high levels of IL-6 [17]. This may result in a higher susceptibility to EN in situations of immune dysregulation, like COVID-19, thus resulting in an excessive inflammatory reaction. This might partly clarify the connection between COVID-19 and EN.
4. Conclusion
We reported here a unique case of EN occurring after COVID-19 vaccination. As the state of the pandemic is quickly evolving, more people are bound to get vaccinated. Thus, clinicians should be mindful of the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines including skin manifestations. Literature is likely to reveal more dermatological manifestations in the future.