Dermato-neuro syndrome triggered by SARS-CoV-2 vaccination

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Immunology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Acute encephalitis has diverse causes, with systemic origins often missed.
• Neurological manifestations can occur following vaccinations, necessitating thorough investigation.
• Scleromyxedema is a rare connective tissue disease with potential neurological involvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of dermato-neuro syndrome following ChAdOx1 SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.
• To explore the association between SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and dermato-neuro syndrome.
• To review existing literature on vaccine-associated dermato-neuro syndrome.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a patient with neurological symptoms post-vaccination.
• Diagnostic workup including lumbar puncture to identify paraprotein.
• Clinical observation of developing cutaneous features of scleromyxedema.
• Literature review on dermato-neuro syndrome and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

Main Results:

• The patient developed status epilepticus, working memory impairment, and ataxia one week after ChAdOx1 SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.
• A paraprotein was detected via lumbar puncture.
• Scleromyxedema developed several months later, leading to the diagnosis of dermato-neuro syndrome.
• A temporal association between vaccination and syndrome onset was observed.

Conclusions:

• SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, specifically ChAdOx1, may act as a trigger for dermato-neuro syndrome.
• Dermato-neuro syndrome is a complex condition with potential autoimmune or paraneoplastic origins.
• Recognition of this syndrome is crucial for appropriate patient management, especially in the context of vaccination decisions during pandemics.