Case report of acute encephalitis following the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

Int J Rheum Dis. 2022 Aug;25(8):950-956. doi: 10.1111/1756-185X.14372. Epub 2022 Jun 23.

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines have proven to be safe, effective and life-saving. However, little information is available on the neurological complications of COVID-19 vaccine. Here, we report a case who developed acute encephalomyelitis 1 week after being vaccinated with AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (AZ vaccine). Autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA) was also suspected. After intravenous dexamethasone and subcutaneous fondaparinux therapy, he returned to normal life without neurological sequelae. Four months later, he received Moderna COVID-19 vaccine without any sequelae.

Keywords: COVID-19; encephalitis; vaccine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • 2019-nCoV Vaccine mRNA-1273
  • Autoimmune Diseases* / etiology
  • COVID-19 Vaccines* / adverse effects
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Encephalitis* / complications
  • Humans
  • Male

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • 2019-nCoV Vaccine mRNA-1273