Abstract
Background: Cases of autoimmune bullous dermatosis (AIBD) have been reported following COVID-19 vaccination. Objective: We aimed to provide an overview of clinical characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of AIBDs following COVID-19 vaccination. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and searched the Embase, Cochrane Library, and Medline databases from their inception to 27 March 2024. We included all studies reporting ≥ 1 patient who developed new-onset AIBD or experienced flare of AIBD following at least one dose of any COVID-19 vaccine. Results: We included 98 studies with 229 patients in the new-onset group and 216 in the flare group. Among the new-onset cases, bullous pemphigoid (BP) was the most frequently reported subtype. Notably, mRNA vaccines were commonly associated with the development of AIBD. Regarding the flare group, pemphigus was the most frequently reported subtype, with the mRNA vaccines being the predominant vaccine type. The onset of AIBD ranged from 1 to 123 days post-vaccination, with most patients displaying favorable outcomes and showing improvement or resolution from 1 week to 8 months after treatment initiation. Conclusions: Both new-onset AIBD and exacerbation of pre-existing AIBD may occur following COVID-19 vaccination. Healthcare practitioners should be alert, and post-vaccination monitoring may be essential.
Keywords: autoimmune bullous dermatosis, bullous pemphigoid, mucous membrane pemphigoid, linear IgA bullous dermatosis, pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceus, pemphigus erythematosus, pemphigus vegetans, COVID-19, vaccine
1. Introduction
To mitigate the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) [1,2,3], various vaccines have been rapidly developed, including mRNA vaccines (BioNTech/Pfizer (Comirnaty; BNT162b2) and Moderna (Spikevax; mRNA-1273)), viral-vectored vaccines (AstraZeneca (Covishield; AZD1222/ChAdOx1) and Johnson & Johnson (COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen; Ad26.COV2.S/JNJ-78436735)), and inactivated vaccines (Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV) and Sinovac (CoronaVac)) [4,5,6]. With the introduction of global mass vaccination, reports of post-vaccination cutaneous adverse events have emerged, including injection site reactions, urticaria, and morbilliform eruptions [7,8,9,10,11]. Furthermore, cases of autoimmune bullous dermatosis (AIBD) have been documented [12,13,14,15].
AIBD is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies targeting specific adhesion molecules, such as desmoglein, BP180, or BP230, within the skin or mucosae [16]. Clinical manifestations of AIBD range from localized vesiculobullous eruption to widespread potentially life-threatening skin detachment [17]. Following COVID-19 vaccination, various subtypes of AIBD have been reported, including diseases with intraepidermal detachment, such as pemphigus vulgaris (PV), pemphigus foliaceus (PF), pemphigus erythematosus (PE), pemphigus vegetans (PVeg), as well as diseases with subepidermal detachment, such as bullous pemphigoid (BP), mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP), and linear IgA bullous dermatosis (LABD) [6,18,19]. The potential association between COVID-19 vaccination and AIBD requires further investigation, and a comprehensive review of this topic is needed. Given the increasing number of COVID-19 vaccine administrations, we conducted a systematic review to provide an overview of the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of AIBDs following COVID-19 vaccination.
2. Methods
This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023390478), and it was performed in accordance with the updated Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines [20,21,22]. Comprehensive searches were performed in the Embase, Cochrane Library, and Medline databases from their inception to 27 March 2024 using relevant terms, including ‘COVID-19’, ‘vaccine’, ‘autoimmune bullous dermatosis’, ‘vesiculobullous skin diseases’, ‘pemphigus’, ‘pemphigus vulgaris’, ‘pemphigus foliaceus’, ‘pemphigus erythematosus’, ‘bullous pemphigoid’, ‘mucous membrane pemphigoid’, and ‘linear IgA bullous dermatosis’. These terms were applied as free text, medical subject headings (MeSH in PubMed and Emtree in Embase), and abbreviations in the literature search. Boolean operators were used to combine keywords, and a primary search strategy was developed without language or publication data limitations (Table S1). Additionally, the reference lists of all identified articles were screened to identify further relevant studies.
We included studies reporting at least one patient who developed new-onset AIBD or experienced an exacerbation of AIBD following administration of at least one dose of any COVID-19 vaccine. Exacerbation was defined as the presence of increased body surface area involvement, the presence of vesiculobullous lesions or skin erythema, subjective worsening reported by the patient, worsening described in physical examination findings, or clinician assessment or plan indicating exacerbation, rebound, or worsening of AIBD compared to previous examination. Review articles, conference abstracts, and in vitro or animal model studies were excluded. Two experienced authors (Wu and Wang) independently conducted the literature search, data extraction, and quality assessments. Any discrepancies between the reviewers were resolved by a third author (Huang). The quality of case reports and series was assessed using the appraisal tool developed by Murad et al. [23], while observational studies were evaluated using the National Institute of Health quality assessment tool (Tables S2 and S3) [24].
Data extraction was performed independently by two authors (Wu and Wang) and included the following information from the included studies: author, year of publication, country, demographic information of patients (age and sex), blister sites, COVID-19 vaccination details (vaccine type and dose), onset time, classification of cases as new-onsets or exacerbations, AIBD subtype, other potential triggers, pathology examinations (Hematoxylin and Eosin stains and immunofluorescence study), enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) results (such as BP180, BP 230, desmoglein [dsg] 1, and desmoglein 3), prior and post-exacerbation treatments, outcomes, and reactions to subsequent COVID-19 vaccination. The patient groups were further categorized based on the occurrence of new AIBD onset or exacerbation of AIBD, and all patients were classified according to AIBD subtypes.
3. Results
3.1. Literature Search
As shown in Figure 1, 333 studies were identified after searching three major databases and performing a manual search of the reference lists of identified studies. We excluded 91 studies as duplicates, and 75 studies were excluded for being unrelated to the study question after assessing the title or abstract. The full texts of the remaining 167 studies were reviewed, and 98 studies were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria for qualitative synthesis. A total of 74 studies reporting new-onset AIBD, 15 studies reporting exacerbation of AIBD, and 9 studies reporting both new onset and exacerbation of AIBD were included in this study (Table 1 and Table 2). The quality assessments of case reports and series consistently received scores ranging from five to seven according to the methodology proposed by Murad et al. [23]. For observational studies, all of the assessments were rated as ‘fair’ using the National Institute of Health quality assessment tool [24].
Figure 1.
PRISMA flowchart of the selection of studies.
Table 1.
Characteristics of the included studies reporting new onset of autoimmune bullous dermatosis.
Author, Year | Country | Age, Sex | Blister Sites | Vaccine (Dose) | Onset | Other Triggers | Pathology | DIF/IIF | ELISA | Treatment | Outcome (Time) | Further Vaccine |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BP | ||||||||||||
Khalid 2021 [25] | US | 62 M | 1st: trunk 2nd: trunk, limbs, genitalia |
MOD (both) | 1st: 14 d 2nd: 4 d |
No new/change in meds, allergic hx | eos | NR | NR | NR | NR | Flare after both doses |
Nakamura 2021 [26] | Japan | 83 F | Trunk and limbs | BNT (2nd) | 3 d | No DPP4i use | SubE, eos | DIF: IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
BP180+ | SC, IVIG | Improved (NR) | NR |
Pérez-López 2021 [27] | Spain | 78 F | Face, trunk, and limbs | BNT (both) | 1st: 3 d 2nd: NR |
NR | NR | NR | NR | TC, SC | Improved (NR) | Flare after both doses |
Tomayko 2021 [28] | US | 97 F | NR | BNT (2nd) | 2 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG/IgA (linear) IIF: NR |
BP180+/230+ | TC, DOX, NAM | Improved (2 w) | NR |
US | 75 M | NR | BNT (2nd) | 10 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3 (linear) IIF: NR |
BP180+ | TC, SC, DOX, NAM | Improved (3 w) | NR | |
US | 64 M | NR | BNT (2nd) | 14 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3 (linear) IIF: NR |
BP180+/230+ | TC | Improved (4 w) | NR | |
US | 82 M | NR | BNT (2nd) | 1 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG/IgA (linear) IIF: NR |
BP180−/230− | TC | Resolved (2 w) | NR | |
US | 95 F | NR | BNT (1st) | 5 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG/IgA (linear) IIF: NR |
BP180−/230− | TC, DOX, NAM | Resolved (8 w) | No flare | |
US | 87 M | NR | MOD (2nd) | 21 d | Alzheimer’s disease | SubE, eos | DIF: C3 (linear) IIF: NR |
BP180+/230+ | SC, DOX, NAM | Ongoing (105 d) | NR | |
US | 42 F | NR | MOD (2nd) | 3 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG/IgM (granular) IIF: NR |
BP180+/230+ | TC, SC | Ongoing (23 d) | NR | |
US | 85 M | NR | BNT (1st) | 5 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | SC | Ongoing (59 d) | Not received | |
US | 83 F | NR | MOD (1st) | 8 d | Major depression | SubE, eos | DIF: Negative IIF: Negative |
BP180−/230− | TC, SC | Ongoing (2 m) | Not received | |
US | 66 F | NR | BNT (both) | 1st: 7 d 2nd: NR |
NR | SubE, eos | DIF: Negative IIF: Negative |
BP180−/230− | TC, SC | Resolved (3 w) | Flare after both doses | |
US | 70 F | NR | MOD (1st) | 9 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: Negative IIF: NR |
NR | SC | Resolved (15 d) | No flare | |
US | 83 F | NR | BNT (2nd) | 7 d | Dementia | SubE, eos | NR | NR | TC, SC, DOX, NAM | Ongoing (6 w) | NR | |
Afacan 2022 [14] | Turkey | 88 F | NR | SINV (2nd) | 30 d | NR | SubE | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | TC, SC, MTX | COVID-19 infection while tx | NR |
Turkey | 82 F | NR | BNT (3rd) | 14 d | NR | SubE | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | TC, SC, Dapsone | Improved (NR) | NR | |
Turkey | 65 M | NR | BNT (3rd) | 14 d | NR | SubE | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | TC, DOX | Improved (NR) | NR | |
Turkey | 82 F | NR | SINV (2nd) | 14 d | NR | SubE | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | TC, SC | Improved (NR) | NR | |
Agharbi 2022 (1) [5] | Morocco | 77 M | Scalp, trunk, and limbs | AZ (1st) | 1 d | No past hx | SubE | DIF: IgG (linear) IIF: IgG (linear) |
NR | TC, DOX | Improved (NR) | Not received |
Alshammari 2022 [29] | Saudi Arabia | 78 M | Limbs | BNT (2nd) | 1 d | NR | Eos | DIF: C3/IgG/IgM (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | TC, SC | Died (2 m) |
NR |
Avallone 2022 [30] | Italy | 72 M | Trunk, lower limbs | MOD (3rd) | 20 d | No predisposing factor | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | NR | NR | NR |
Bailly-Caille 2022 [31] | France | 74 M | Limbs | MOD (both) | 1st: 10 d 2nd: 2 d |
No new meds | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: IgG (linear) |
BP180−/230−/COL7−/P200+ | TC, Colchicine | Resolved (6 m) | NR |
Bardazzi 2022 [32] | Italy | 76 F | Back, right leg | BNT (3rd) | 12 d | NR | NR | NR | BP180+/230+ | TC, SC | Resolved (1 m) | NR |
Italy | 79 F | Trunk | BNT (3rd) | 9 d | NR | NR | NR | BP180+/230+ | TC, SC, NAM | Resolved (1 m) | NR | |
Birabaharan 2022 [33] | US | 57 pts | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Bostan 2022 [34] | Turkey | 67 M | Generalized | Inactivated (1st) | 35 d | Under vildagliptin, no past skin hx | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | Stop vildagliptin, SC, OMA | Ongoing (8 m) | Flare after both doses |
Coto-Segura 2022 [19] | Spain | 86 M | Trunk and limbs | BNT (2nd) | 17 d | NR | SubE, intraE, eos | DIF: Negative IIF: NR |
NR | TC, SC | Resolved (NR) | NR |
Spain | 85 M | Trunk and limbs | BNT (2nd) | 8 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | TC, SC | Resolved (NR) | NR | |
Spain | 84 M | Trunk and limbs | BNT (2nd) | 7 d | NR | SubC, eos | DIF: C3/IgG/IgM (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | TC, SC | Resolved (NR) | NR | |
Daines 2022 [35] | US | 70s M | Trunk, limbs, palms | BNT (2nd) | 1 d | No new meds, DPP4i use | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: positive |
BP180+/230− | TC, SC, CYSP, MTX | Improved (5 m) |
NR |
Darrigade 2022 [36] | France | 4 pts | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Dell’Antonia 2022 [37] | Italy | 83 M | 1st: legs 2nd: trunk and limbs |
BNT (both) | 1st: 7 d 2nd: 3 d |
No new meds or family hx, DPP4i use | SubE, eos, lym | DIF: C3 (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | TC, SC | Resolved (3 w) | Flare after both doses |
Desai 2022 [38] | US | 73 F | 1st: NR 2nd: face, trunk, limbs |
MOD (both) | 1st: 1 d 2nd: 1 d |
No allergic hx, recent illness, or family hx, no new meds | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | SC, MMF | Improved (7 d) | Flare after both doses |
Fu 2022 [39] | Taiwan | 77 M | Trunk and hands | MOD (2nd) | 21 d | NR | SubE, neu | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: negative |
NR | SC, CTX | Improved (5 w) | NR |
Gambichler 2022 [40] | Germany | 80 M | 1st: lower legs 2nd: trunk |
BNT (both) | 1st: 14 d 2nd: NR |
No new meds | SubE | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: IgG (linear) |
BP180+/230+ | SC | NR | Flare after both doses |
Germany | 89 M | Entire integument | BNT (1st) | 2 d | No new meds | SubE | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: IgG (linear) |
BP180+/230+ | SC | NR | NR | |
Guo 2022 [13] | China | 67 F | Generalized | SINV (1st) | 7 d | No new meds, no family hx | SubE, eos | DIF: C3 (linear) IIF: IgG (linear) |
BP180+ | TC, SC | Improved (2 w) | Flare after both doses |
China | 66 F | Generalized | SINV (1st) | 10 d | No past hx, no new meds | SubE, eos, neu | DIF: C3 (linear) IIF: IgG (linear) |
BP180+ | TC, SC | Improved (2 w) | NR | |
Hali (1) 2022 [41] | Morocco | 51 M | Trunk, lower limbs, oral mucosa | AZ (2nd) | 7 d | No past hx, no new meds | SubE, eos | DIF: C3 (linear) IIF: IgG (linear) |
BP180+ | SC | Resolved (4 w) | NR |
Morocco | 54 F | Trunk, limbs, oral mucosa | AZ (1st) | 3 d | No past hx, no new meds | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: C3/IgG (linear) |
NR | TC | Improved (NR) | Not received | |
Morocco | 68 M | 1st: vaccination site 2nd: trunk, limbs, oral, genital mucosa |
AZ (both) | 1st: 14 d 2nd: 7 d |
No new meds, no family hx | SubE, eos | DIF: C3 (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | SC | Improved (1 m) | NR | |
Hung 2022 [15] | Taiwan | 39 M | Trunk, hands, and feet | MOD (1st) | 1 m | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: IgG (linear) |
NR | SC, DOX | Resolved (NR) | NR |
Larson 2021 [42] | US | 76 M | Legs | BNT (both) | 1st: 21 d 2nd: NR |
No new meds, DPP4i use | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: IgG (linear) |
NR | TC, SC, DOX, NAM | Improved (NR) | Flare after both doses |
US | 84 M | Trunk and limbs | MOD (2nd) | 14 d | No new/change in meds, DPP4i use | IntraE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | TC, SC | Improved (NR) | NR | |
McMahon 2022 [4] | US | 12 pts | Trunk, limbs, oral/genital mucosa | MOD (n = 4) BNT (n = 8) |
NR | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) (n = 5); DIF: IgG (linear) (n = 1) IIF: NR |
BP180+ (n = 1) | NR | NR | NR |
Maronese 2022 (1) [43] | Italy | 84 F | NR | BNT (1st) | 25 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: IgG (linear) |
BP180+/230− | TC, SC, DOX | Resolved (3 m) | NR |
Italy | 83 M | NR | BNT (1st) | 32 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: IgG (linear) |
BP180+/230+ | TC, SC, DOX | Resolved (3 m) | NR | |
Italy | 56 F | NR | MOD (1st) | 7 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: negative IIF: IgG (linear) |
BP180+/230+ | TC, DOX | Resolved (3 m) | NR | |
Italy | 79 M | NR | BNT (1st) | 4 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: IgG (linear) |
BP180+/230− | TC, DOX | Resolved (3 m) | NR | |
Italy | 86 M | NR | BNT (1st) | 37 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: IgG (linear) |
BP180+/230− | TC | Resolved (3 m) | NR | |
Italy | 91 M | NR | BNT (1st) | 28 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: IgG (linear) |
BP180−/230− | TC, SC | Resolved (3 m) | NR | |
Italy | 86 M | NR | BNT (1st) | 36 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | TC, SC, DOX | Resolved (3 m) | NR | |
Italy | 84 F | NR | MOD (1st) | 7 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: IgG (linear) |
BP180+/230− | TC, SC, DOX | Resolved (3 m) | NR | |
Italy | 84 M | NR | BNT (1st) | 23 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3 (linear) IIF: NR |
BP180−/230− | SC | Resolved (3 m) | NR | |
Italy | 82 F | NR | BNT (1st) | 34 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
BP180−/230− | SC | Improved (3 m) | NR | |
Italy | 76 M | NR | BNT (1st) | 34 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3 (linear) IIF: NR |
BP180−/230− | SC | NR | NR | |
Italy | 78 M | NR | BNT (1st) | 4 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: NR IIF: IgG (linear) |
BP180+/230+ | TC | Resolved (3 m) | NR | |
Italy | 90 F | NR | BNT (1st) | 28 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: IgG (linear) IIF: IgG (linear) |
BP180+/230− | TC, SC | Improved (3 m) | NR | |
Italy | 90 M | NR | BNT (1st) | 64 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3 (linear) IIF: negative |
BP180−/230− | SC | Resolved (3 m) | NR | |
Italy | 72 M | NR | BNT (1st) | 16 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3 (linear) IIF: negative |
BP180+/230− | TC, SC, MTX | Improved (3 m) | NR | |
Italy | 80 M | NR | BNT (1st) | 6 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: IgG (linear) |
NR | TC, SC | Improved (3 m) | NR | |
Italy | 77 F | NR | AZ (1st) | 3 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3 (linear) IIF: IgG (linear) |
BP180+/230+ | MTX | Resolved (3 m) | NR | |
Italy | 60 F | NR | BNT (1st) | 75 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3 (granular) IIF: IgG (linear) |
BP180+/230+ | SC | Resolved (3 m) | NR | |
Italy | 70 F | NR | BNT (1st) | 27 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3 (linear) IIF: IgG (linear) |
BP180−/230− | SC | Improved (3 m) | NR | |
Italy | 72 F | NR | AZ (1st) | 7 d | NR | SubE, eos | NR | NR | SC, Dapsone | Improved (3 m) | NR | |
Italy | 85 M | NR | BNT (1st) | 27 d | NR | SubE, eos | NR | NR | SC | Ongoing (3 m) | NR | |
Maronese 2022 (2) [44] | Italy | 85 M | NR | BNT (2nd) | 28 d | DPP4i use | SubE, eos | DIF: C3 (linear) IIF: IgG (linear) |
BP180+/230+ | Stop DPP4i, TC, DOX | Improved (1 m) | NR |
Italy | 84 F | NR | BNT (1st) | 28 d | DPP4i use for years | NR | NR | BP180−/230− | Stop DPP4i, TC, SC, DOX | Improved (1 m) | NR | |
Italy | 86 M | NR | BNT (2nd) | 14 d | DPP4i use for years | NR | NR | BP180+/230− | Stop DPP4i, TC, SC, DOX | Improved (1 m) | NR | |
Nakahara 2022 [45] | Japan | 71 M | Neck and arms | BNT (2nd) | 40 d | DPP4i use for years | SubE, lym | DIF: IgG (linear) IIF: IgG (linear) |
BP180+/COL7− | Stop DPP4i, TC, SC, HCQ | Resolved (4 w) | NR |
Nida 2022 [46] | US | 70 M | Trunk and hands | BNT (2nd) | 2 d | New meds of pimavanserin for PD | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | TC, SC | Improved (NR) |
NR |
Pauluzzi 2022 [47] | Italy | 46 M | Trunk and upper limbs | BNT (1st) | 15 d | No past hx, no new meds | SubE, eos | DIF: C3 (linear) IIF: NR |
BP180+ | SC, AZA | Improved (7 w) | Not received |
Russo 2022 [48] | Italy | 75 M | Cutaneous | BNT (1st) | 2 d | DPP4i use | NR | NR | NR | Stop DPP4i, TC | Improved (NR) | NR |
Savoldy 2022 [49] | US | 78 M | 1st: back 2nd: trunk, limbs |
NR (both) | 1st: 7 d 2nd: NR |
No new meds, but polypharmacy | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | TC, SC, DOX, Dupi | Improved (3 m) | Flare after both doses |
Schmidt 2022 [50] | Switzerland | 84 F | Both: trunk and limbs | MOD (both) | 1st: days 2nd: NR |
No new meds, but polypharmacy | SubE, eos | NR | BP180+/230+ | NR | NR | Flare after both doses |
Shakoei 2022 [51] | Iran | 85 F | Trunk and limbs | SINP (1st) | 20 d | No allergic, past hx, no new meds | NR | NR | NR | TC, DOX | Improved (NR) | NR |
Iran | 91 M | Mucocutaneous | SINP (1st) | 19 d | No allergic, past hx, no new meds | NR | NR | NR | TC, RIX | Improved (NR) | NR | |
Shanshal 2022 [52] | The UK | 90 F | Both: trunk, limbs | BNT (both) | 1st: 7 d 2nd: NR |
No past skin hx, no new meds | SubE, eos | DIF: C3 (linear) IIF: IgG (linear) |
NR | 1st: TC 2nd: SC |
Ongoing (2 m) |
Flare after both doses |
Wan 2022 [53] | Canada | 50 F | 3rd: face, neck, trunk, limbs, oral and genital mucosa | BNT (2nd) MOD (3rd) |
2nd: 14 d 3rd: 1 d |
No new meds | SubE, eos, lym | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | SC, MTX | Improved (16 w) | NR |
Canada | 82 M | Limbs | BNT (both) | 1st: 10 d 2nd: 3 d |
No new meds | SubE, eos, neu, lym | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | TC | Resolved (2 w) | Flare after both doses, no flare after the 3rd dose of MOD | |
Young 2022 [54] | Malta | 68 M | Trunk and oral mucosa | BNT (both) | 1st: 3 d 2nd: NR |
No past hx | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | SC, TC | Resolved (3 m) | Flare after both doses |
Zhang 2022 [55] | China | 23 M | Generalized | SINP (3rd) | 1 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: positive |
BP180+/230+ | SC | Improved (7 d) | NR |
China | 81 M | Limbs and oral mucosa | SINP (3rd) | 15 d | NR | SubE | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
BP180+ | SC, IVIG | Improved (NR) | NR | |
Baffa 2023 [56] | Italy | 91 F | Trunk, limbs, and oral mucosa | BNT (2nd) | 10 d | No new meds | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: IgG (linear) |
BP180+ | TC, SC, AZA, RIX, Dupi | Resolved (3 m) | NR |
Cowan 2023 [57] | Australia | 82 M | NR | AZ (2nd) | 31 d | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Australia | 62 M | NR | BNT (3rd) | 123 d | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | |
Australia | 71 M | NR | AZ (2nd) | 26 d | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | |
Australia | 60 F | NR | AZ (2nd) | 5 d | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | |
Dawoud 2023 [58] | Saudi Arabia | 86 M | Generalized | AZ (1st) | 1 m | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
BP180+/230+ | TC, DOX, SC | Improved (7 w) | NR |
Saudi Arabia | 76 M | Hands and feet | BNT (1st) | 2 wk | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
BP180+/230+ | TC, DOX, SC | Improved (7 w) | NR | |
Hsieh 2023 [12] | Taiwan | 94 F | Feet, palms, thigh | MOD (1st) | 18 d | No new meds | Lym, eos | DIF: C3 (linear) IIF: negative |
BP180+ | TC, SC, KMnO4 | Improved (NR) | NR |
Mulianto 2023 [59] | Indonesia | 11 M | Generalized | SINV (NR) | 4 d | No allergic history or family hx | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | SC, ERY | Improved (2 m) | NR |
Sun 2023 [60] | Portugal | 79 F | Trunk, limbs, mucosa | BNT (2nd) | 3 d | No past skin hx, no new meds | SubE, eos, neu | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
BP180+ | TC, SC, IVIG, DOX, MMF | Improved (2 w) | NR |
Topal 2023 [61] | Turkey | 6 pts (>50 y, 4 F, 2 M) | NR | BNT (2nd) (n = 1) SINV (1st) (n = 2) SINV (2nd) (n = 3) |
NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Üstün 2023 [62] | Turkey | 41 F | Trunk, limbs | BNT (1st) | 2 wk | No hx of infection or drug use | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | TC, SC | Resolved (3.5 m) | NR |
Diab 2024 [63] | Iran | 70 F | NR | SINP (1st) | 20 d | NR | NR | NR | NR | SC | Improved (60 d) | NR |
Iran | 77 F | NR | SINP (2nd) | 30 d | NR | NR | NR | NR | SC, RIX | Improved (45 d) | NR | |
Yamamoto 2024 [64] | Japan | 72 M | Thigh | BNT (3rd) | 1 d | NR | SubE, eos | DIF: C3/IgG IIF: NR |
BP180+ | SC | Improved (NR) | NR |
PGes | ||||||||||||
Mustin 2023 [65] | Georgia | 36 F | Trunk and limbs | BNT (2nd) | 10 d | Pregnancy, no past skin hx | SpD | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: IgG (linear) |
BP180+/BP230− | TC, SC, IVIG | Resolved (7 m) | NR |
MMP | ||||||||||||
Darrigade 2022 [36] | France | 1 pt | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Rungraungrayabkul 2023 [66] | Thailand | 74 F | Oral mucosa | BNT (1st) | 3 wk | No past medical hx, no meds | SubE | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | TC, DOX | Improved (2 w) | Not received |
Calabria 2024 [67] | Italy | 72 F | Oral mucosa | BNT (3rd) | 9 d | Breast cancer treated with aromatase inhibitor, osteoporosis treated with denosumab | SubE | DIF: IgA/IgG (linear), C3 (granular) IIF: NR |
BP180+/BP230− | TC, SC | Resolved (6 w) | NR |
LABD | ||||||||||||
Coto-Segura 2022 [19] | Spain | 71 M | Thighs | BNT (2nd) | 3 d | No concomitant meds | SubE, eos | DIF: IgA (linear) | NR | TC | Resolved (NR) | NR |
Hali (2) 2022 [68] | Morocco | 61 M | Trunk, lower limbs, and oral and genital mucosa | AZ (2nd) | 3 d | No infection, no new meds | SubE, eos, lym | DIF: IgA (linear) IIF: IgA (linear) |
Dsg1−/3−/BP180− | SC | Improved (NR) | NR |
Han 2022 [69] | US | 86 F | Neck, trunk, and limbs | MOD (3rd) | 1 d | New meds of oral terbinafine for tinea pedis | SubE, neu | DIF: IgA (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | TC, SC | Resolved (20 d) | NR |
Nahm 2023 [70] | US | 66 M | Trunk and limbs | MOD (3rd) | 5 d | No new meds | SubE, eos, neu | DIF: IgA/IgM (linear) IIF: IgA |
BP180−/230− | TC, SC, Dapsone | Resolved (3 m) | NR |
PV | ||||||||||||
Solimani 2021 [71] | Asian | 40 F | Trunk, back, and oral mucosa | BNT (both) | 1st: 5 d 2nd: 3 d |
No skin disease hx, no new meds | IntraE, lym, plasma cells | DIF: IgG (IC) IIF: NR |
Dsg1+/3+ | SC, AZA | Improved (NR) | Flare after both doses |
Agharbi 2022 (2) [72] | Morocco | 72 F | Head, neck, trunk, limbs, and oral mucosa | BNT (2nd) | 7 d | No past hx, no new meds | SupraB, lym | DIF: C3/IgG (IC) IIF: positive |
Dsg1+/3+ | SC, AZA | Resolved (3 w) | NR |
Akoglu 2022 [6] | Turkey | 69 F | Mucocutaneous | SINV (2nd) | 7 d | No COVID-19 infection/exposure or meds | SupraB | DIF: IgG (IC) IIF: NR |
Dsg1+/3+ | TC, MTX | Resolved (12 w) | NR |
Aryanian 2022 [73] | Iran | 43 M | Scalp, face, and oral mucosa | AZ (2nd) | 2 d | No past hx, no new meds | NR | NR | NR | SC, AZA | Improved (NR) | NR |
Calabria 2022 [74] | Italy | 60 F | Oral mucosa | BNT (2nd) | 7 d | NR | SupraB, lym, eos | DIF: IgG (IC) IIF: NR |
Dsg1−/3+ | SC, RIX | Improved (3 w) | NR |
Corrá 2022 [75] | Italy | 61 F | Face and lower trunk | BNT (3rd) | 3 d | No past skin hx | SupraB | DIF: C3/IgG (IC) IIF: IgG (IC) |
Dsg1+/3+ | SC | NR | NR |
Italy | 73 F | Oral mucosa | BNT (3rd) | 28 d | No new meds | NR | DIF: C3/IgG (IC) IIF: IgG (IC) |
Dsg1−/3+ | SC, RIX | NR | NR | |
Italy | 63 F | Oral mucosa | AZ (both) | 1st: 28 d 2nd: 4 d |
No past skin hx | IntraE | DIF: C3/IgG (IC) IIF: IgG (IC) |
Dsg1+/3+ | SC, RIX | Improved (8 w) | Flare after both doses | |
Das 2022 [76] | India | NR | NR | AZ (2nd) | 14 d | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Hali (1)2022 [41] | Morocco | 58 F | Face, trunk, lower limbs, oral and genital mucosa | BNT (1st) | 1 m | NR | IntraE, lym, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (IC) IIF: NR |
NR | SC | Improved (NR) |
NR |
Hatami 2022 [77] | Iran | 34 M | Oral mucosa | AZ (NR) | days | No past hx | NR | NR | NR | SC, AZA | NR | NR |
Knecht 2022 [78] | Switzerland | 89 M | Trunk, left arm, oral mucosa | BNT (2nd) | 30 d | Worsened post urology procedure under GA, no past hx | SupraB, lym, his | DIF: IgG (IC) IIF: NR |
Dsg1+/3+ | SC, RIX | Resolved (10 w) | NR |
Koutlas 2022 [79] | US | 60 M | Oral mucosa | MOD (2nd) | 7 d | No past hx | SupraB | DIF: C3/IgG (IC) IIF: IgG (IC) |
Dsg1−/3− | SC, RIX | Resolved (1 m) | NR |
Norimatsu 2022 [80] | Japan | 86 M | Face, back, upper limbs | BNT (2nd) | 1 d | No new meds | SupraB | DIF: IgG (IC) IIF: NR |
Dsg1+/3+ | TC, SC | Improved (42 d) | NR |
Saffarian 2022 [81] | US | 76 F | Scalp, upper trunk, oral and genital mucosa | SINP (2nd) | 30 d | No past skin hx, no new meds, no DPP4i use | SupraB, eos, lym | DIF: C3/IgG (IC) IIF: NR |
Dsg1−/3− | SC, RIX | Improved (NR) | NR |
Shakoei 2022 [51] | Iran | 30 F | Oral mucosa | SINP (1st) | 16 d | No past hx, no new meds | NR | NR | NR | SC, RIX | Improved (NR) | NR |
Singh 2022 [82] | India | 44 M | Face, neck, trunk, oral mucosa | AZ (2nd) | 7 d | No past hx, no new meds | SupraB | NR | Dsg3+ | SC, AZA, IVIG | Improved (1 m) | NR |
Thongprasom 2022 [83] | Thailand | 38 F | Oral mucosa | AZ (1st) | 7 d | No allergic hx | NR | NR | NR | TC, steroid mouthwash | Improved (1 w) | NR |
Cowan 2023 [57] | Australia | 49 F | NR | BNT (3rd) | 92 d | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Hui 2023 [84] | China | 49 F | 1st: scalp 2nd: whole body, oral mucosa |
SINV (both) | 1st: 2 d 2nd: NR |
No past hx | IntraE, eos | DIF: IgG (IC) IIF: NR |
Dsg1+/3+ | SC, AZA, IVIG, MTX, RTX | Improved (8 w) | NR |
Khalayli 2023 [85] | Syria | 50 F | Limbs, oral and genital mucosa | mRNA (2nd) | 10 d | No past hx, no family hx | SupraB | DIF: IgG IIF: NR |
NR | TC, SC | Improved (3 w) | NR |
Norimatsu 2023 [80] | Japan | 86 M | Lumbar region, left arm, face | BNT (2nd) | 1 d | Concurrent w/hypopharyngeal and gastric ca | IntraE | DIF: IgG (IC) IIF: NR |
Dsg1+/3+ | TC, SC | Improved (42 d) |
NR |
Diab 2024 [63] | Iran | 45 M | Oral mucosa | BIV1 (2nd) | 20 d | NR | NR | NR | NR | SC, RIX | Improved (60 d) | NR |
PF | ||||||||||||
Alami 2022 [86] | Morocco | 44 M | Face, trunk and limbs | SINP (both) | 1st: 7 d 2nd: NR |
No past hx, no new meds | IntraE | DIF: IgG (IC) IIF: NR |
Dsg1+/3−/ICSA+ | SC, AZA | NR | Flare after both doses |
Corrá 2022 [75] | Italy | 80 M | Face and trunk | BNT (3rd) | 17 d | No past skin hx, no new meds | SubC, neu | DIF: Negative IIF: IgG (IC) |
Dsg1+ | SC, RIX, MMF | NR | NR |
Italy | 66 F | Trunk | BNT (2nd) | 28 d | No past skin hx | SubC, neu | DIF: IgG (IC) IIF: Negative |
Negative | SC, MMF | NR | No flare | |
Gui 2022 [87] | US | 67 F | Trunk | MOD (2nd) | 14 d | No past skin hx | IntraE | DIF: C3/IgG (IC) IIF: positive |
Dsg1+/3− | TC, SC | Improved (2 m) | NR |
Hali (1) 2022 [41] | Morocco | 50 F | Scalp and trunk | BNT (2nd) | 15 d | No past hx, no new meds | SubC, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (IC) IIF: positive |
NR | SC | Resolved (3 w) | NR |
Lua 2022 [88] | Singapore | 83 M | Scalp, face, trunk, and limbs | BNT (2nd) | 2 d | No past skin hx | SpD, eos, plasma cells | DIF: C3 (IC) IIF: IgG (IC) |
Dsg1+/3− | SC | Improved (NR) |
NR |
Pourani 2022 [89] | Iran | 75 M | Face and trunk | SINP (3rd) | 14 d | No new meds, no hx of COVID-19 pneumonia | IntraE | DIF: C3/IgG (IC) IIF: NR |
NR | TC, RIX | Improved (4 w) | NR |
Reis 2022 [90] | Caucasian | 35 F | Scalp, upper trunk | BNT (2nd) | 2 w | No past hx | SubC | DIF: C3/IgG (IC) IIF: positive |
Dsg1+/3− | TC, SC | Improved (8 m) | NR |
Rouatbi 2022 [91] | Tunisia | 70 M | Scalp, trunk, and limbs | BNT (3rd) | 7 d | No past skin hx | IntraE | DIF: C3/IgG (IC) IIF: NR |
Dsg1+/3− | TC, SC | Improved (3 w) |
NR |
Tunisia | 48 M | 1st: scalp 2nd: face, trunk |
AZ (both) | 1st: 5 d 2nd: NR |
No past hx, no new meds | IntraE | DIF: C3/IgG (IC) IIF: NR |
Dsg1+/3− | TC, SC | Resolved (6 m) | Flare after both doses | |
Yildirici 2022 [92] | Turkey | 65 M | 1st: scalp, trunk 2nd: neck and trunk |
BNT (both) | 1st: 30 d 2nd: 14 d |
Valsartan-hydrochlorothiazide started 4 m ago | IntraE, neu | DIF: C3/IgG (IC) IIF: NR |
Dsg1+/3− | SC, AZA | Improved (2 w) | Flare after both doses |
Almasi-Nasrabadi 2023 [93] | The UK | 62 F | Face, trunk, and limbs | AZ (both) | 1st: 7 d 2nd: 2 d |
No past hx, no new meds | SubC, neu | DIF: IgG (IC) IIF: NR |
NR | SC, MMF | Improved (NR) | Flare after both doses |
Pham 2023 [94] | Vietnam | 53 F | Face, trunk, limbs | AZ (4th) | 3 w | HTN, no new meds, no family hx | SupraB, lym, neu | DIF: C3/IgG (IC) IIF: NR |
NR | SC, RIX | Improved (1 m) | NR |
Vietnam | 30 F | Face, neck, trunk | MOD (2nd) | 2 m | No family hx | SupraB | DIF: C3/IgG (IC) IIF: NR |
NR | TC, SC, TCI | Resolved (4 m) | NR | |
Weschawalit 2023 [95] | Thailand | NR | NR | AZ (NR) | NR | NR | SubC, neu, eos | DIF: C3/IgG (IC) IIF: NR |
NR | NR | NR | NR |
Diab 2024 [63] | Iran | 30 F | Trunk | SINP (2nd) | 14 d | NR | IntraE | NR | NR | RIX | Improved (30 d) | NR |
PE | ||||||||||||
Falcinelli 2022 [96] | Italy | 63 F | Scalp, face, and upper trunk | BNT (2nd) | 2 d | NR | SubC | DIF: IgG (IC) IIF: NR |
NR | SC | NR | NR |
PVeg | ||||||||||||
Gui 2022 [87] | Asian | 25 M | Face, trunk, limbs, oral and genital mucosa | BNT (2nd) | 30 d | No past hx | SupraB, acan | DIF: C3/IgG (IC) IIF: IgG (IC) |
Dsg1+/3+ | TC, ILOBTX, SC, MMF | Resolved (6 m) | NR |
IgA pemphigus | ||||||||||||
Lansang 2023 [97] | Canada | 64 M | Back, left leg | MOD (NR) | 20 d | No new meds | SpD, eos, acantholysis | DIF: C3/IgA/IgG (IC) IIF: NR |
NR | TC, IMT | Improved (NR) | NR |
Not specified | ||||||||||||
Kianfar 2022 [98] | Iran | 5 pts | NR | NR (1st) (n = 3) NR (2nd) (n = 2) |
NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
acan, acanthosis; AZ, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine; AZA, azathioprine; BIV1, BIV1-CovIran vaccine; BNT, the Pfizer BioNTech (BNT162b2) vaccine; BP, bullous pemphigoid; COL, collagen; CTX, cyclophosphamide; CYSP, cyclosporine; d, day; DIF, direct immunofluorescence; DOX, doxycycline; DPP4i, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitor; Dsg, desmoglein; Dupi, dupilumab; ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; eos, eosinophils infiltration; ERY, erythromycin; GA, general anesthesia; HCQ, hydroxychloroquine; his, histiocytes infiltration; hx, history; IC, honey-comb-like intercellular pattern; ICSA, anti-intercellular cement substance antibodies; IgG, immunoglobulin G; IIF, indirect immunofluorescence; ILOBTX, intralesional injections of onabotulinum toxin; IntraE, intraepidermal acantholysis; IVIG, intravenous immunoglobulin; IMT, intramuscular triamcinolone; LABD, linear IgA bullous dermatosis; linear, linear pattern along dermo-epidermal junction; lym, lymphocytes infiltration; meds, medications; MMF, mocophenolate mofetil; MMP, mucous membrane pemphigoid; MOD, the mRNA-1273 vaccine; MTX, methotrexate; NAM, nicotinamide; neu, neutrophils infiltration; NR, not recorded; OMA, omalizumab; PD, Parkinson’s disease; PE, pemphigus erythematosus; PF, pemphigus foliaceus; pts, patients; PGes, pemphigoid gestationis; PV, pemphigus vulgaris; PVeg, pemphigus vegetans; SC, systemic corticosteroids; SINP, the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine; SINV, the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine; SpD, spongiotic dermatitis; SubC, subcorneal acantholysis; subE, subepidermal acantholysis; SupraB, suprabasal acantholysis; TC, topical corticosteroids; TCI, topical calcineurin inhibitor; w, week; y, year.
Table 2.
Characteristics of the included studies reporting exacerbation of autoimmune bullous dermatosis.
Author, Year | Country | Age, Sex | Blister Sites | Vaccine (Dose) | Onset | Other Triggers | Pathology | DIF/IIF | ELISA | Prior tx | Tx after Flare | Outcome (Time) | Further Vaccine |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BP | |||||||||||||
Damiani 2021 [18] | Italy | 63 F | Trunk | MOD (1st) | 1 d | NR | NR | NR | NR | SC | SC | NR | No flare |
Italy | 84 M | Widespread, oral mucosa | MOD (both) | 14 d | NR | NR | NR | NR | SC, AZA | SC | NR | Flare after both doses | |
Italy | 82 F | Arms, legs | BNT (1st) | 3 d | NR | NR | NR | NR | SC, MMF | SC | NR | No flare | |
Tomayko 2021 [28] | US | 83 M | NR | BNT (1st) | 7 d | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | TC, SC | Ongoing (45 d) | Not received |
Afacan 2022 [14] | Turkey | 74 F | NR | SINV (1st) | 7 d | NR | SubE | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | NR | TC, SC, DOX, MTX | Improved (NR) | NR |
Turkey | 65 F | NR | SINV (2nd) | 7 d | NR | SubE | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | NR | TC, MTX | Improved (NR) | NR | |
Turkey | 71 M | NR | SINV (2nd) | 45 d | NR | SubE | DIF: C3/IgG (linear) IIF: NR |
NR | NR | TC, SC, AZA | Improved (NR) | NR | |
Bardazzi 2022 [32] | Italy | 57 F | Trunk, arms | MOD (3rd) | 7 d | NR | NR | NR | BP180+/230+ | NR | TC, SC, NAM | Resolved (1 m) | NR |
Italy | 62 M | Trunk, arms | BNT (3rd) | 7 d | NR | NR | NR | BP180+/230+ | NR | TC, SC, NAM | Resolved (1 m) | NR | |
Happaerts 2022 [99] | Caucasian | 75 M | Right arm and left buttock | AZ (1st) | 10 d | Intake of NSAID once, concomitant AHA, history of COVID-19 pneumonia | NR | NR | NR | SC, NAM, DOX | SC, EMI, rFVII, RIX |
Died (15 d) | Not received |
Juay 2022 [100] | Singapore | 70 F | NR | BNT (1st) | 14 d | No new meds, no infection | NR | NR | NR | SC | TC, SC | NR | NR |
Martora 2022 [101] | Italy | 4 pts (60–80 *, 3M1F) |
NR | BNT (2nd) (n = 3) MOD(1st) (n = 1) |
5–8 d * | NR | NR | NR | NR | SC+AZA (n = 2) AZA (n = 2) |
SC±AZA | Improved (NR) | No flare |
Massip 2022 [102] | France | 3 pts | NR | NR | 1.5–3 d * | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Cowan 2023 [57] | Australia | 82 M | NR | AZ (NR) | 92 d | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Australia | 83 M | NR | BNT (NR) | 90 d | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | |
Australia | 86 F | NR | BNT (NR) | 91 d | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | |
Rasner 2023 [103] | USA | 88 M | Trunk, limbs | BNT (2nd) | 1 d | No COVID-19 infection | NR | IIF: IgG | BP180-; BP230+ | TC, SC | SC | Improved (5 w) | NR |
USA | 69 M | Limbs | MOD (2nd) | 14 d | Erythrodermic psoriasis, COVID-19 infection 4 m before | NR | NR | NR | CsA, ADA | TC, ADA | Resolved (6 w) | NR | |
EBA | |||||||||||||
Minakawa 2023 [104] | Japan | 20 F | Face, trunk, upper arms, lip | mRNA (1st) | 2 d | No medical hx | SubE, neu | DIF: C3/IgG/IgM (linear) IIF: IgG/IgM |
BP180-/BP230-/type VII collagen- | SC | SC | Improved (1 w) | NR |
PV | |||||||||||||
Damiani 2021 [18] | Italy | 40 M | Back and upper limbs | MOD (1st) | 3 d | NR | NR | NR | NR | RIX | SC, MMF | NR | No flare |
Italy | 80 M | Back | BNT (1st) | 3 d | NR | NR | NR | NR | SC, MMF | SC | NR | No flare | |
Akoglu 2022 [6] | Turkey | 58 F | Mucocutaneous | SINV (both) | days | No COVID-19 infection/exposure or medical tx | SupraB | DIF: IgG (IC) IIF: NR |
Dsg1+/3+ | Multiple IMMs | SC, IVIG | Resolved (NR) | Flare after both doses |
Turkey | 31 F | Scalp, genital and oral mucosa | BNT (1st) | 7 d | No COVID-19 infection/exposure or medical tx | SupraB | DIF: IgG (IC) IIF: NR |
Dsg1+/3+ | TC | SC | Resolved (8 w) | NR | |
Avallone 2022 [105] | Italy | 46 M | Trunk, arms, oral mucosa | BNT (both) | 1st: 5 d 2nd: 5 d |
NR | SupraB | DIF: IgG (IC) IIF: NR |
Dsg1+/3+ | SC, AZA | SC, RIX | Ongoing (NR) | Flare after both doses |
Hatami 2022 [77] | Iran | 61 M | Scalp and trunk | AZ (NR) | 7 d | NR | NR | NR | NR | RIX | SC | NR | NR |
Martora 2022 (2) [106] | Italy | 7 pts (55–71 *, 4M3F) |
NR | BNT (1st) (n = 2) BNT (2nd) (n = 3) MOD (1st) (n = 2) |
5–11 d * | NR | NR | NR | NR | SC (n = 1), AZA(n = 6) | SC | NR | NR |
Ong 2022 [107] | Asian | 46 F | Scalp, trunk, limbs, and oral mucosa | MOD (1st) | 7 d | NR | NR | NR | Dsg1+/3+ | RIX | SC | Improved (NR) | No flare |
Saleh 2022 [108] | Egypt | 35 F | NR | SINP (2nd) | 5 d | NR | NR | NR | NR | SC | RIX | Improved (NR) | NR |
Shakoei 2022 [51] | Iran | 28 F | Mucocutaneous | SINP (1st) | 14 d | No new meds | NR | NR | NR | SC | SC, RIX | Improved (NR) | NR |
Chen 2023 [109] | Taiwan | 39 M | Trunk, limbs, oral mucosa | BNT (1st) | 7 d | NR | IntraE | DIF: IgG (IC) IIF: NR |
NR | TC | SC, RIX, AZA | Improved (NR) | Not received |
Cowan 2023 [57] | Australia | 32 F | NR | BNT (NR) | 6 d | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Australia | 73 M | NR | BNT (NR) | 15 d | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | |
Ligrone 2023 [110] | Italy | 56 F | Generalized | MOD (3rd) | 5 d | NR | IntraE, supraB | DIF: IgG (IC) IIF: NR |
Dsg1+/3+ | SC | SC, RIX | Improved (3 w) | NR |
PF | |||||||||||||
Salmi 2022 [111] | Oman | NR | NR | BNT (NR) | 2 d | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Rasner 2023 [103] | USA | 50 F | NR | BNT (both) | 1st: 1 w | NR | NR | IIF: negative | Dsg1+ | Not received | TC, SC | Improved (10 w) | NR |
Pemphigus | |||||||||||||
Massip 2022 [102] | France | 2 pts | NR | NR | 18 d | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Özgen 2022 [112] | Turkey | 18 pts | NR | SINV (n = 7) BNT (n = 11)/ 1st (n = 15) 2nd (n = 3) |
NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Not specified | |||||||||||||
Kasperkiewicz 2023 [113] | US | 84 pts | NR | NR (3rd) | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Kianfar 2022 [98] | Iran | 66 pts | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
*, range; AHA, acquired hemophilia A; AZA, azathioprine; BNT, the Pfizer BioNTech (BNT162b2) vaccine; BP, bullous pemphigoid; d, day; DIF, direct immunofluorescence; DOX, doxycycline; DPP4i, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitor; dsg, desmoglein; EBA, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita; ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; EMI, emicizumab; IC, intercellular pattern; IgG, immunoglobulin G; IIF, indirect immunofluorescence; IMMs, immunomodulators; IVIG, intravenous immunoglobulin; JJ, recombinant adenoviral vector-based Johnson & Johnson vaccine; LABD, linear IgA bullous dermatosis; MMF, mycophenolate mofetil; MOD, the mRNA-1273 vaccine; NAM, nicotinamide; NSAID, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug; PF, pemphigus foliaceus; pts, patients; PV, pemphigus vulgaris; PVeg, pemphigus vegetans; rFVII, recombinant activated factor VII; RIX, rituximab; SC, systemic corticosteroids; SINP, the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine; SINV, the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine; SupraB, suprabasal acantholysis; Tx, treatment; w, week; y, year.
3.2. Patient Characteristics
Detailed patient information is presented in Table 1 and Table 2. The characteristics of the included studies are summarized in Table 3. The new-onset group comprised 229 patients, mostly from America, with ages ranging from 11 to 97 years. Although most studies did not report patients’ sex, a slight male predominance was noted among those that did. The most frequently encountered diagnosis in the group was BP in 174 patients, followed by PV in 23 and PF in 16.
Table 3.
Summary of characteristics of the included studies.
AIBD Type | Study (n) | Patient (n) | Country | Age * | Sex | Vaccine | Dose | Onset * | Outcome | Time to Improvement/Resolution * | Further Vaccine |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New onset | |||||||||||
BP | 47 | 174 | Asia 30 (17.24%) Africa 4 (2.30%) America 90 (51.72%) Europe 46 (26.44%) Oceania 4 (2.30%) |
11–97 | M 58 (57.43%) F 43 (42.57%) NR 73 |
AZ 10 (8.93%) MOD 19 (16.96%) SINV 10 (8.93%) SINP 6 (5.36%) Inactivated 1 (0.89%) BNT 66 (58.93%) NR 62 |
1st 44 (44.00%) 2nd 32 (32.00%) 3rd 9 (9.00%) Both 15 (15.00%) NR 74 |
1 d–123 d | Died 1 (1.18%) Improved 44 (51.76%) Resolved 31 (36.47%) Ongoing 8 (9.41%) Other 1 (1.18%) NR 89 |
1 w–6 m | No flare (2nd) 2 (9.52%) Flare (both) 14 (66.67%) Not received 5 (23.81%) NR 153 |
PGes | 1 | 1 | Europe 1 (100.00%) | 36 | F 1 (100.00%) | BNT 1 (100.00%) | 2nd 1 (100.00%) | 10 d | Resolved 1 (100.00%) | 7 m | NR 1 |
MMP | 3 | 3 | Asia 1 (33.33%) Europe 2 (66.67%) |
72–74 | F 2 (100.00%) NR 1 |
BNT 2 (100.00%) NR 1 |
1st 1 (50.00%) 3rd 1 (50.00%) NR 1 |
9 d–3 w | Improved 1 (50.00%) Resolved 1 (50.00%) NR 1 |
2 w–6 w | Not received 1 (100.00%) NR 2 |
LABD | 4 | 4 | Africa 1 (25.00%) America 2 (50.00%) Europe 1 (25.00%) |
61–86 | M 3 (75.00%) F 1 (25.00%) |
AZ 1 (25.00%) MOD 2 (50.00%) BNT 1 (25.00%) |
2nd 2 (50.00%) 3rd 2 (50.00%) |
1 d–5 d | Improved 1 (75.00%) Resolved 3 (25.00%) |
20 d–3 m | NR 4 |
PV | 21 | 23 | Asia 13 (56.52%) Africa 2 (8.70%) America 2 (8.70%) Europe 5 (21.74%) Oceania 1 (4.35%) |
30–89 | M 8 (36.36%) F 14 (63.64%) NR 1 |
AZ 6 (26.09%) MOD 1 (4.35%) SINV 2 (8.70%) SINP 2 (8.70%) BNT 10 (43.48%) BIV1 1 (4.35%) mRNA 1 (4.35%) |
1st 3 (13.64%) 2nd 13 (59.09%) 3rd 3 (13.64%) Both 3 (13.64%) NR 1 |
1 d–92 d | Improved 14 (77.78%) Resolved 4 (22.22%) NR 5 |
1 w–12 w | Flare (both) 2 (100.00%) NR 21 |
PF | 13 | 16 | Asia 7 (43.75%) Africa 4 (25.00%) America 1 (6.25%) Europe 4 (25.00%) |
30–83 | M 7 (46.67%) F 8 (53.33%) NR 1 |
AZ 4 (25.00%) MOD 2 (12.5%) SINP 3 (18.75%) BNT 7 (43.75%) |
2nd 7 (46.67%) 3rd 3 (20.00%) 4th 1 (6.67%) Both 4 (26.67%) NR 1 |
2 d–2 m | Improved 9 (75.00%) Resolved 3 (25.00%) NR 4 |
2 w–8 m | No flare (2nd) 1 (20.00%) Flare (both) 4 (80.00%) NR 11 |
PE | 1 | 1 | Europe 1 (100%) | 63 | F 1 (100.00%) | BNT 1 (100.00%) | 2nd 1 (100.00%) | 2 d | NR 1 | NR | NR 1 |
PVeg | 1 | 1 | Asia 1 (100%) | 25 | M 1 (100.00%) | BNT 1 (100.00%) | 2nd 1 (100.00%) | 30 d | Resolved 1 (100.00%) | 6 m | NR 1 |
IgA pemphigus | 1 | 1 | America 1 (100.00%) | 64 | M 1 (100.00%) | MOD 1 (100.00%) | NR 1 | 20 d | Improved 1 (100.00%) | NR | NR 1 |
Not specified | 1 | 5 | Asia 5 (100.00%) | NR | NR 5 | NR 5 | 1st 3 (60.00%) 2nd 2 (40.00%) |
NR | NR 5 | NR | NR 5 |
Total | 83 | 229 | Asia 57 (24.89%) Africa 11 (4.80%) America 96 (41.92%) Europe 60 (26.20%) Oceania 5 (2.18%) |
11–97 | M 78 (52.70%) F 70 (47.30%) NR 81 |
AZ 21 (13.04%) MOD 25 (15.53%) SINV 12 (7.45%) SINP 11 (6.83%) Inactivated 1 (0.62%) BNT 89 (55.28%) BIV1 1 (0.62%) mRNA 1 (0.62%) NR 68 |
1st 51 (33.77%) 2nd 59 (39.07%) 3rd 18 (11.92%) 4th 1 (0.66%) Both 22 (14.57%) NR 78 |
1 d–123 d | Died 1 (0.81%) Improved 70 (56.45%) Ongoing 8 (6.45%) Other 1 (0.81%) Resolved 44 (35.48%) NR 105 |
1 w–8 m | No flare (2nd) 3 (10.34%) Flare (both) 20 (68.97%) Not received 6 (20.69%) NR 200 |
Flare | |||||||||||
BP | 10 | 23 | Asia 4 (17.39%) America 3 (13.04%%) Europe 13 (56.52%) Oceania 3 (13.04%) |
57–88 | M 12 (60.00%) F 8 (40.00%) NR 3 |
AZ 2 (10.00%) MOD 5 (25.00%) SINV 3 (15.00%) BNT 10 (50.00%) NR 3 |
1st 7 (41.18%) 2nd 7 (41.18%) 3rd 2 (11.76%) Both 1 (5.88%) NR 6 |
1 d–92 d | Died 1 (7.69%) Improved 8 (61.54%) Ongoing 1 (7.69%) Resolved 3 (23.08%) NR 10 |
1 m–45 d | No flare (2nd) 6 (66.67%) Flare (both) 1 (11.11%) Not received 2 (22.22%) NR 14 |
EBA | 1 | 1 | Asia 1 (100.00%) | 20 | F 1 (100.00%) | mRNA 1 (100.00%) | 1st 1 (100.00%) | 2 d | Improved 1 (100.00%) | 1 w | NR 1 |
PV | 12 | 20 | Asia 6 (30.00%) Africa 1 (5.00%) Europe 11 (55.00%) Oceania 2 (10.00%) |
28–80 | M 10 (50.00%) F 10 (50.00%) |
AZ 1 (5.00%) MOD 5 (25.00%) SINV 1 (5.00%) SINP 2 (10.00%) BNT 11 (55.00%) |
1st 10 (58.82%) 2nd 4 (23.53%) 3rd 1 (5.88%) Both 2 (11.76%) NR 3 |
3 d–15 d | Improved 5 (62.50%) Ongoing 1 (12.50%) Resolved 2 (25.00%) NR 12 |
3 w–8 w | No flare (2nd) 3 (50.00%) Flare (both) 2 (33.33%) Not received 1 (16.67%) NR 14 |
PF | 2 | 2 | Asia 1 (50.00%) America 1 (50.00%) |
50 | F 1 (100.00%) NR 1 |
BNT 2 (100.00%) | Both 1 (100.00%) NR 1 |
2 d–1 w | Improved 1 (100.00%) NR 1 |
10 w | NR 2 |
Pemphigus | 2 | 20 | Asia 18 (90.00%) Europe 2 (10.00%) |
NR | NR 20 | SINV 7 (38.89%) BNT 11 (61.11%) NR 2 |
1st 15 (83.33%) 2nd 3 (16.67%) NR 2 |
18 d | NR 20 | NR | NR 20 |
Not specified | 2 | 150 | Asia 66 (44.00%) America 84 (56.00%) |
NR | NR 150 | NR 150 | 3rd 84 (100.00%) NR 66 |
NR | NR 150 | NR | NR 150 |
Total | 24 | 216 | Asia 96 (44.44%) Africa 1 (0.46%) America 88 (40.74%) Europe 26 (12.04%) Oceania 5 (2.31%) |
20–88 | M 22 (52.38%) F 20 (47.62%) NR 174 |
AZ 3 (4.92%) MOD 10 (16.39%) SINV 11 (18.03%) SINP 2 (3.28%) BNT 34 (55.74%) mRNA 1 (1.64%) NR 155 |
1st 33 (23.91%) 2nd 14 (10.14%) 3rd 87 (63.04%) Both 4 (2.90%) NR 78 |
1 d–92 d | Died 1 (4.35%) Improved 15 (65.22%) Ongoing 2 (8.70%) Resolved 5 (21.74%) NR 193 |
1 w–10 w | No flare (2nd) 9 (60.00%) Flare (both) 3 (20.00%) Not received 3 (20.00%) NR 201 |
*, range; AIBD, autoimmune bullous dermatosis; BP, bullous pemphigoid; LABD, linear IgA bullous dermatosis; PV, pemphigus vulgaris; PF, pemphigus foliaceus; PGes, pemphigoid gestationis; PVeg, pemphigus vegetans; DIF, direct immunofluorescence; Ab, antibody; d, day; w, week; y, year.
The flare group included 216 patients, with ages ranging from 20 to 88 years, who primarily had pemphigus (specific subtype unspecified). Most patients were from Asia (44%) and America (41%). Similarly to the new-onset group, most studies did not provide information on patients’ sex, but a slight male predominance existed among those that did.
3.3. Vaccine Type, Vaccine Dose, and Time to AIBD Onset Following Vaccination
In the new-onset group, 55% of patients received the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine, followed by the Moderna vaccine (16%) and the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine (13%). However, it is noteworthy that the vaccine type was not reported for a large number of patients. Most cases of new-onset AIBD occurred after the second (39%) or first vaccine dose (34%), while 15% of AIBD patients experienced onset following both doses. The onset times varied widely, ranging from 1 to 123 days after vaccination.
In the flare group, most patients were administered the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine (56%), followed by the Sinovac vaccine (18%) and the Moderna vaccine (16%). Flares were most frequently reported after the third vaccine dose (63%), followed by the first dose (24%) and the second dose (10%). The onset of AIBD symptoms ranged from 1 day to 92 days following vaccination.
3.4. Other Potential Non-Vaccine Triggers
In the new-onset group, most studies did not provide information on other potential non-vaccine triggers. However, some BP patients had pre-existing neurological or psychiatric disorders, such as dementia, depression, or Alzheimer’s disease, which are known to be associated with the development of BP [28,114,115]. Additionally, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, a well-established risk factor for BP [116], were used by some patients [34,44,45,48]. In the majority of cases, patients denied any new medication use.
In the flare group, the information regarding other potential triggers was unavailable in most studies. Nevertheless, two patients had a history of COVID-19 infection prior to receiving the COVID-19 vaccines, and subsequently experienced a BP eruption [99,103].
3.5. The Assessment of Naranjo Scores for New-Onset AIBD or AIBD Flares
To evaluate the potential causal relationship between COVID-19 vaccination and AIBD development, we applied the Naranjo scores to all cases (Tables S4 and S5) [117]. In the new-onset group, 87% of cases were categorized as ‘possible’, and 13% as ‘probable’. In the flare group, 92% of cases were classified as ‘possible’, and 8% as ‘probable’. Notably, all cases deemed ‘probable’ in causality had experienced a disease flare following both doses of COVID-19 vaccines, contributing to the overall score for these cases [6,13,25,37,38,40,41,42,49,50,53,54,68,71,75,86,91].
3.6. Treatment and Outcomes for New-Onset AIBD or AIBD Flares
In the new onset group, BP patients with limited involvement were treated with topical corticosteroids, while those with more extensive involvements received a variety of systemic immunomodulators, including corticosteroids, doxycycline, nicotinamide, methotrexate, azathioprine, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclophosphamide, dapsone, colchicine, or hydroxychloroquine [5,6,14,15,28,31,32,35,38,39,42,43,44,45,49,51,53,56,70,71,72,73,75,77,82,86,87,92,93]. DPP-4 inhibitors were suspended in patients using these medications [34,44,45,48]. Intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) was administered in selected cases, and biologics, such as dupilumab and omalizumab, were utilized [26,34,49,55,56]. Rituximab was introduced in three cases, leading to significant improvement [51,56,63]. Most patients with pemphigus were managed with systemic corticosteroids and immunomodulators, with rituximab administered in 29% of cases [51,63,74,75,78,79,81,89]. In one case of PVeg, intralesional injections of onabotulinum toxin, corticosteroids, and mycophenolate mofetil were used, resulting in resolution after 6 months [87]. The majority of patients demonstrated improvement (56%) or resolution (35%) after treatment, with resolution times ranging from 1 week to 8 months. One case of BP showed improvement after prednisolone treatment, but the patient died due to pulmonary embolism one month after discharge [29]. Disease flare after both vaccine doses was observed in 69% of reported cases, but most studies lacked data on subsequent vaccinations.
In the flare group, the predominant treatment approach involved topical or systemic corticosteroids supplemented by immunomodulators, such as doxycycline, nicotinamide, methotrexate, azathioprine, or mycophenolate mofetil, in refractory cases [6,18,30,105,106]. Additional corticosteroid therapy was used in most patients experiencing a flare of AIBD, with further immunosuppressants utilized for treatment-resistant cases [14,18,32,106]. Rituximab was administered in six cases, resulting in four cases experiencing disease improvement; one case died 15 days after the administration of COVID-19 vaccination due to sepsis, and one case had ongoing treatment and no final outcome was reported [51,99,105,108,109,110]. The majority of cases showed improvement (65%) or resolution (22%) after treatment, with resolution times ranging from 1 to 10 weeks. Only three of the reported cases (20%) experienced a similar flare following their initial COVID-19 vaccination and exhibited disease exacerbation after the second dose [6,18,30,105].
4. Discussion
In this systematic review, we have compiled all available reports of new-onset AIBD or AIBD flares following COVID-19 vaccination. Our analysis included 98 studies, encompassing 229 patients in the new-onset group and 216 patients in the flare group. Among the new-onset cases, BP was the most frequently reported subtype, while pemphigus was the most commonly reported subtype in the flare group. As we know, clinical relapse is commonly seen in pemphigus, with a relapse rate as high as 82% [118]. The chronic and relapsing features of pemphigus may contribute to the larger number of flare cases relative to BP. Notably, both new onset and exacerbation of AIBDs were frequently observed following the administration of mRNA vaccines. However, we should recognize that mRNA vaccines were the most frequently administered vaccine worldwide. Onset time varied widely among both new-onset and flare groups, ranging from 1 to 123 days. Most patients achieved favorable outcomes, with improvement or resolution occurring within 1 week to 8 months after treatment initiation.
The potential association between vaccination and AIBD has been investigated in the previous research [119]. Various vaccines, including influenza, tetanus and diphtheria, hepatitis B, herpes zoster, and quadrivalent human papillomavirus, have been reported to be associated with AIBD development [120]. With the substantial increase in COVID-19 vaccinations, the link between newly developed vaccines and AIBD has been reexamined. The theory of molecular mimicry between specific basement membrane proteins and the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 has been proposed as a potential cause [121]. Additionally, mRNA vaccines are suggested to activate pro-inflammatory pathways by interacting with toll-like receptors, potentially leading to increased production of interleukin (IL) -4, IL-17, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α cytokines [71,79,122]. Because autoreactive T cells and the dysregulation of T helper (Th)1 and Th2 responses play a crucial role in both pemphigus and pemphigoid [123], the vaccine trigger and cytokine modulation may promote an imbalance between Th2 responses against cutaneous antigens, fostering the generation of autoreactive B cells and contributing to AIBD development [122]. Vaccine-induced inflammation may also disrupt the basement membrane, leading to the production of anti-basement membrane antibodies [121]. Furthermore, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules, including alleles HLA-DQB1*0503 and HLA-DRB1*0402 in pemphigus, as well as HLA-DQB1*0301 in pemphigoid, may represent key predisposing factors for drug-induced AIBDs [124]. However, none of the included cases underwent HLA examinations, necessitating further investigations.
On the contrary, Birabaharan et al. conducted a cohort study involving over 1.5 million individuals who received mRNA COVID-19 vaccinations, which revealed no difference in the risk of new-onset BP within a 6-month period between vaccinated patients and those who remained unvaccinated [33]. Another investigation by Kasperkiewicz et al. demonstrated that circulating anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies did not cross-react with the main AIBD autoantigens, including dsg 1, dsg 3, envoplakin, BP180, BP230, and type VII collagen [125]. This perspective is consistent with the findings of previous systematic reviews, which posited that the hypothesized causal relationship is likely to be a relatively rare occurrence [126,127]. In our study, we not only included a substantially larger sample size compared to previous studies, but we also employed the Naranjo score to investigate causality. Patients with severe or extensive AIBD are usually advised against re-exposure to the same vaccine. However, in our study, 23 patients who experienced new onset or exacerbation of AIBD were re-exposed to the same vaccine, leading to recurrence. This implicates COVID-19 vaccines as the likely causative agents, supported by the high Naranjo rating score of 7. Our research provides evidence suggesting a potential association between COVID-19 vaccination and the development of AIBD to some extent, as indicated by the short onset interval and the absence of other triggers in most cases. These findings are in accordance with the previous literature, underscoring that mRNA vaccines were the most commonly reported vaccine type in both new onset and exacerbation of AIBD cases, followed by inactivated and viral-vectored vaccines [127].
It is worth noting that some studies reported potential non-vaccine triggers, such as neurological or psychiatric disorders, use of DPP-4 inhibitor, polypharmacy, or a history of COVID-19 infection [28,34,43,44,46,49,50,92,99]. The etiology and pathogenesis of AIBD remain largely elusive. However, the occurrence of exacerbation of AIBD has been reported in association with specific triggering factors, including medications, physical stimuli, infections, and organ transplantations [128]. We outlined these cases and assigned lower scores on the Naranjo score, which consequently decreased the overall rating. Only 13% of the new-onset AIBD patients and 8% of AIBD flare cases were rated as probable according to the Naranjo score. Nevertheless, it is essential to acknowledge that most studies did not report such triggers, limiting the calculation of the Naranjo score. Given that the existing data predominantly consist of anecdotal, single-case reports with a low level of evidence, real-world, population-based studies are warranted to elucidate a definitive link between COVID-19 vaccinations and risk of AIBD. However, this should not dissuade the current vaccination recommendations for patients with AIBD, given the favorable risk–benefit ratio.
Our study has certain limitations. Firstly, most of the included studies were case reports, case series, and retrospective observational studies from database collections. Some studies lacked comprehensive documentation of patients’ clinical conditions, while others were deficient in critical information, including vaccine dosage, additional triggers, laboratory findings, treatment modalities, and disease outcomes. Secondly, not all studies presented results of skin biopsies, immunofluorescence studies, or ELISA tests, thereby raising questions about the accuracy of disease diagnoses in some cases. Thirdly, essential parameters for assessing disease severity in AIBD patients, such as the bullous pemphigoid disease area index (BPDAI), the pemphigus area and activity score (PAAS), and the percentage of body surface area affected, were not reported among all studies. These parameters are pivotal for evaluating disease severity before vaccination, after vaccination, and following treatment. Fourthly, only a limited number of cases provided information regarding whether patients received subsequent vaccine doses, and the duration of follow-up was relatively short. In our analysis, most patients in the new-onset and flare groups showed improvement or resolution. However, given the chronic and relapsing nature of AIBD, future long-term follow-up studies are imperative to establish a stronger evidence base, and ongoing monitoring is essential for these patients [129].
5. Conclusions
In conclusion, both new-onset AIBD and exacerbation of pre-existing AIBD may occur following COVID-19 vaccination. Healthcare practitioners should raise concerns for AIBD when administering COVID-19 vaccines, and post-vaccination monitoring may be essential. Current evidence continues to favor COVID-19 vaccination in individuals with AIBD, owing to its significant protective benefits against SARS-CoV-2. More studies are imperative to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of the association between COVID-19 vaccines and the development of AIBD.
Supplementary Materials
The following supporting information can be downloaded at: https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/vaccines12050465/s1, Table S1: Search strategy; Table S2: Quality assessment of case reports; Table S3: Quality assessment of observational cohort and cross-sectional studies; Table S4: The assessment of Naranjo score for cases of new onset autoimmune bullous dermatosis; Table S5: The assessment of Naranjo score for cases of exacerbation of autoimmune bullous dermatosis.
Author Contributions
Conceptualization: C.-C.C.; Data curation: C.-Y.W. and C.-C.C.; Methodology: P.-C.W., I.-H.H. and C.-C.C.; Investigation: I.-H.H. and C.-Y.W.; Analysis and software: P.-C.W.; Writing—original draft preparation: P.-C.W. and I.-H.H.; Writing—review and editing: C.-C.C. and C.-Y.W.; Visualization: P.-C.W. and C.-Y.W.; Supervision: C.-C.C. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Data Availability Statement
No new data were generated in support of this research.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Funding Statement
This research received no external funding.
Footnotes
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.
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