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Acute encephalitis, myoclonus and Sweet syndrome after mRNA-1273 vaccine

Abstract

A patient presented with fever, generalised rash, confusion, orofacial movements and myoclonus after receiving the first dose of mRNA-1273 vaccine from Moderna. MRI was unremarkable while cerebrospinal fluid showed leucocytosis with lymphocyte predominance and hyperproteinorrachia. The skin evidenced red, non-scaly, oedematous papules coalescing into plaques with scattered non-follicular pustules. Skin biopsy was consistent with a neutrophilic dermatosis. The patient fulfilled the criteria for Sweet syndrome. A thorough evaluation ruled out alternative infectious, autoimmune or malignant aetiologies, and all manifestations resolved with glucocorticoids. While we cannot prove causality, there was a temporal correlation between the vaccination and the clinical findings.

  • COVID-19
  • dermatology
  • vaccination/immunisation
  • neurology
  • unwanted effects / adverse reactions

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