Herpetic Keratitis Preceded by COVID-19 Vaccination

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Vaccinology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic spurred rapid vaccine development, with widespread administration.
• Limited safety data exist for many COVID-19 vaccines, particularly regarding rare adverse events.

Observation:

• Two patients developed herpetic keratitis (herpes simplex keratitis and varicella-zoster virus corneal endotheliitis) shortly after receiving inactivated COVID-19 vaccines (Sinovac).
• Case 1: A 60-year-old woman with a history of herpes simplex keratitis (HSK).
• Case 2: A 51-year-old man with no significant medical history.

Findings:

• Both cases showed successful treatment with antiviral medications (ganciclovir).
• The short interval between vaccination and symptom onset suggests a potential link between inactivated COVID-19 vaccines and ocular herpes reactivation.
• Herpetic keratitis diagnoses included HSK and VZV corneal endotheliitis.

Implications:

• Clinicians and patients should be aware of the potential for inactivated COVID-19 vaccines to trigger ocular herpes virus reactivation.
• Further research is needed to confirm a causal relationship between COVID-19 vaccination and herpetic keratitis.