Rhabdomyolysis after COVID-19 Comirnaty Vaccination: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Immunology
• Vaccinology

Background:

• Rhabdomyolysis is a serious skeletal muscle condition characterized by the release of muscle components like creatine kinase (CK) into the bloodstream.
• While infections, including COVID-19, are known causes of rhabdomyolysis, its occurrence after COVID-19 vaccination is considered rare.
• Understanding potential adverse events following vaccination is crucial for public health and vaccine safety monitoring.

Observation:

• This report details a case of rhabdomyolysis developing in a patient one day after receiving the second dose of the Comirnaty (BioNTech/Pfizer) COVID-19 vaccine.
• The patient presented with significant muscle weakness, elevated CK levels, and acute kidney injury, indicative of severe rhabdomyolysis.
• Despite treatment with intravenous fluids leading to resolution of muscle weakness and normalization of CK levels, the patient unfortunately remained dependent on hemodialysis.

Findings:

• This case represents one of the initial reports of rhabdomyolysis occurring subsequent to Comirnaty vaccination.
• The temporal association suggests a possible, though not definitively proven, link between the vaccination and the onset of rhabdomyolysis.
• The patient's persistent kidney failure underscores the potential severity of this rare adverse event.

Implications:

• Further large-scale observational studies are necessary to determine if rhabdomyolysis is a rare side effect of the Comirnaty vaccine or an unrelated event.
• Healthcare providers should maintain awareness of potential rhabdomyolysis in patients experiencing myalgia and weakness post-COVID-19 vaccination for early intervention.
• Prompt diagnosis and management are essential to prevent severe complications such as kidney failure and to ensure optimal patient outcomes.