Minimal change disease soon after Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Immunology
• Vaccinology

Background:

• Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, including the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, have been widely administered.
• Adverse events following vaccination are closely monitored.
• Minimal change disease (MCD) is a cause of nephrotic syndrome.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of Minimal Change Disease (MCD) presenting with anasarca after COVID-19 vaccination.
• To highlight a potential, though unconfirmed, adverse effect of mRNA vaccines.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 75-year-old male.
• Clinical presentation: anasarca and significant proteinuria (7.7 g/day) post-second mRNA vaccine dose.
• Diagnostic confirmation via kidney biopsy showing MCD.
• Treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone and oral prednisolone.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with severe anasarca and nephrotic-range proteinuria shortly after the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
• Kidney biopsy confirmed Minimal Change Disease (MCD).
• Treatment with corticosteroids resulted in complete clinical remission within 35 days.

Conclusions:

• This case suggests a potential association between mRNA COVID-19 vaccination and the onset of Minimal Change Disease (MCD).
• The definitive causality remains undetermined.
• Increased awareness and further investigation are crucial to ascertain the incidence and frequency of this potential adverse event.