Brosh-Nissimov T, Sorek N, Yeshayahu M, Zherebovich I, Elmaliach M, Cahan A, Amit S, Rotlevi E.
Oropharyngeal shedding of herpesviruses before and after BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination against COVID-19.
Vaccine 2021;
39:5729-5731. [PMID:
34481701 PMCID:
PMC8445745 DOI:
10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.08.088]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Concerns were raised over an increase in Bell's palsy, herpes simplex and herpes zoster after BNT162b2 vaccination, all are manifestations of herpesviruses reactivation. As herpesviruses commonly reactivate in the oropharynx, we have hypothesized that oropharyngeal shedding of herpesviruses will increase after vaccination.
METHODS
Immune-competent Adults, excluding those using topical steroids or manifesting symptomatic herpesvirus infection, were sampled before BNT162b2 vaccination and one week after. Herpesviruses 1-7 shedding was tested with a multiplexed PCR.
RESULTS
In 103 paired samples the prevalence of herpesviruses was similar before and after vaccination: HSV1, 3.9% vs. 5.8% (p = 0.75); HSV2, 0% vs. 1% (p = not applicable, NA); VZV, 0% vs. 0% (p = NA); EBV, 14.6% vs. 17.5% (p = 0.63); CMV, 0% vs. 0% (p = NA); HHV6, 4.9% vs. 7.8% (p = 0.55); HHV7, 71.8% vs. 72.8% (p = 1); any herpesvirus, 73.8% vs. 74.8% (p = 1).
DISCUSSION
We did not find evidence for increased oropharyngeal reactivation of herpesviruses one week after BNT162b2.
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