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Review

Pemphigus and Bullous Pemphigoid Following COVID-19 Vaccination: A Systematic Review

by
Fabrizio Martora
1,*,†,
Teresa Battista
1,†,
Luca Potestio
1,
Maddalena Napolitano
1,
Cataldo Patruno
2,
Matteo Megna
1 and
Michela D’Agostino
1
1
Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
2
Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Viruses 2024, 16(12), 1896; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16121896
Submission received: 14 October 2024 / Revised: 4 December 2024 / Accepted: 6 December 2024 / Published: 9 December 2024
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cutaneous Reactions Following Virus Infections and Antiviral Vaccines)
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Abstract

:
The COVID-19 pandemic has encouraged the rapid development and licensing of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. Currently, numerous vaccines are available on a global scale and are based on different mechanisms of action, including mRNA technology, viral vectors, inactive viruses, and subunit particles. Mass vaccination conducted worldwide has highlighted the potential development of side effects, including ones with skin involvement. This review synthesizes data from 62 manuscripts, reporting a total of 142 cases of autoimmune blistering skin diseases (AIBDs) following COVID-19 vaccination, comprising 59 cases of pemphigus and 83 cases of bullous pemphigoid. Among the 83 bullous pemphigoid cases, 78 were BP, with additional cases including 2 oral mucous membrane pemphigoid, 1 pemphigoid gestationis, 1 anti-p200 BP, and 1 dyshidrosiform BP. The mean age of affected individuals was 72 ± 12.7 years, with an average symptom onset of 11 ± 10.8 days post-vaccination. Notably, 59% of cases followed vaccination with BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech), 51.8% were new diagnoses, and 45.8% occurred after the second dose. The purpose of our review is to analyze the cases of pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid associated with COVID-19 vaccination and to investigate the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the new development or flare-up of these diseases in association with vaccination. Our results show that the association between COVID-19 vaccines and AIBDs is a possible event.

1. Introduction

Mucocutaneous adverse events have emerged as some of the most frequently reported reactions associated with COVID-19 vaccination, drawing considerable attention from the medical community. These reactions encompass a broad spectrum of clinical presentations, which can be classified into various categories depending on the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms. These mechanisms include hypersensitivity reactions, notably types I and IV, which involve immediate and delayed immune responses, respectively. Additionally, local site reactions at the injection site, autoimmune-mediated reactions, functional angiopathies, and the reactivation of latent viral conditions have been identified as potential contributors to these adverse skin manifestations following the administration of COVID-19 vaccines [1,2].
Within the broader scope of autoimmune diseases, there has been a notable increase in reports of new onset or recurrence of autoimmune bullous diseases (AIBDs) following COVID-19 vaccination. These diseases, characterized by the formation of blisters on the skin and mucous membranes, are particularly concerning due to their chronic nature and the significant impact they have on patients’ quality of life [3]. Among the various types of AIBD, pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid (BP) are the most prominent, each with distinct pathophysiological features. Pemphigus is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies directed against desmosomes, the structures that facilitate cell-to-cell adhesion within the epidermis, leading to intraepidermal blistering. In contrast, BP involves autoantibodies targeting hemidesmosomes, which anchor the epidermis to the underlying basement membrane, resulting in subepidermal blistering.
Given the increasing number of reported cases, there is a pressing need to understand the potential relationship between COVID-19 vaccination and the onset or exacerbation of these diseases. The aim of our study was to conduct a comprehensive review of the recent literature focusing on cases of new diagnoses and flare-ups of pemphigus and BP following COVID-19 vaccination. By examining these cases, we seek to elucidate any patterns or trends that may contribute to a better understanding of the potential risks associated with COVID-19 vaccines in relation to these serious autoimmune conditions [4].

2. Methods

Comprehensive literature research was conducted on MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, embase, scopus, and Google Scholar databases until May 2024. The following keywords were used to research data: “bullous pemphigoid”, “pemphigus”, “pemphigus vulgaris (PV”), “pemphigus foliaceus (PF)”, “autoimmune bullous disease”, “immune-mediated inflammatory disease”, “COVID-19”, “vaccination”, “vaccine”, “skin manifestations”, “adverse events”, “Pfizer/BioNTech”, “BNT162b2”, “Moderna”, “mRNA-1273”, “AstraZeneca”, “AZD1222”, “Covishield”, “Johnson & Johnson”, “Ad26.COV2.S”, “BBIBP-CorV”, “Sinopharm”, “CoronaVac”, “mRNA”, “viral-vector”, “cutaneous”, “side effect”. Data from the selected case reports and case series were analyzed, and a total of 62 articles were found to be relevant. The references of the selected manuscripts were evaluated to include articles that could have been missed. Our analysis included EMA-approved vaccines, and the main vaccines spread globally.
The selection and extraction of relevant data followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines (Figure 1).

2.1. Study Selection

In the first step, two researchers (M.D. and F.M.) reviewed the retrieved articles and removed the duplicates. In other steps, the researchers screened the title and abstract of the records, and the ineligible studies were removed. Then, the authors surveyed the full text of the remaining studies based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the eligible studies were identified.
We decided to exclude certain articles based on the following criteria: articles that were not original research, such as reviews or editorials; articles for which the full text was unavailable; papers that were only available as abstracts, including conference abstracts; clinical trials that were still ongoing and had not yet published results; articles written in languages other than English.

2.2. Risk of Bias Selection

The quality of enrolled studies was appraised by two investigators (F.M. and T.B) using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for letter to editor, case report, case series, and reviews. Through evaluating the methodology, the overall risk of bias was judged as low, high, or of some concern. If differing opinions existed, the third author (M.M.) was consulted for arbitration.

3. Result

Data resulting from the 62 reviewed manuscripts are synthesized in Table 1. A total of 59 cases of pemphigus and 83 of BP following COVID-19 vaccination were collected, amounting to a total of 142 cases of autoimmune blistering skin diseases (AIBDs). Data on the vaccination dose and the time to onset the symptoms refer to the last dose of vaccine administered before the onset of clinical manifestations.
Data on registered cases of BP are reported in Table 2. A total of 83 cases of pemphigoid were registered, including 78 BP cases, 2 oral mucous membrane pemphigoid cases, 1 case of pemphigoid gestationis, 1 case of anti-p200 BP, and 1 case of dyshidrosiform BP. Among these, 46 cases involved the male population (55.42%). The mean age was 72 ± 12.7, while the average time of onset of symptoms was 11 ± 10.8 days. Most cases occurred following vaccination with BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) [49, (59%)]. The new diagnoses were 43 (51.8%), and pemphigoid cases occurred mainly after the administration of the second dose [38 (45.8%)].
Data on registered cases of pemphigus are reported in Table 3. A total of 59 cases of pemphigus were registered, including 33 cases of PV, 19 cases of PF, 1 case of pemphigus vegetans, 1 case of pemphigus erythematosus, 1 case of oral pemphigus, 1 case of IgA pemphigus, and 3 cases of an unspecified subtype of pemphigus. The mean age was 55 ± 16.6, while the average time of onset of symptoms was 14 ± 11.7 days from the last vaccination. The female population was involved in a higher percentage [34, (57.6%)]. Most cases developed as a result of vaccinations with BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) [29, (49.2%)] and mainly after the administration of the second dose [24, (40.7%)].

4. Discussion

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune blistering disease involving autoantibodies against BP180 and BP230 proteins in the basement membrane. Triggers include UV radiation, trauma, drugs, malignancies, and vaccinations. Cases have been associated with vaccines for influenza, tetanus, diphtheria, polio, pertussis, meningococcal disease, pneumococcal disease, hepatitis B, and rabies. Pemphigus, another autoimmune disorder affecting the skin and mucous membranes, can also be triggered by infections, radiation, drugs, vaccines, pregnancy, or stress, particularly in genetically predisposed individuals. Vaccines such as those for influenza, hepatitis B, rabies, and tetanus have been reported to trigger or exacerbate the disease [65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72].
It is well-established that vaccinations and infections can exacerbate autoimmune diseases, including after COVID-19 vaccines [73,74,75,76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,84,85]. Numerous new-onset autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, Guillain-Barré syndrome, autoimmune liver diseases, and rheumatoid arthritis, have been reported post-COVID-19 vaccination. Among autoimmune skin conditions, cases of vitiligo, alopecia areata, lupus, pityriasis rosea, herpes zoster, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, and autoimmune blistering diseases (AIBD) have also been noted in a systematic review by Ghanaatpisheh et al. [86].
BP and pemphigus can be triggered by environmental factors stimulating autoimmunity in susceptible individuals. COVID-19 vaccines may contribute through mechanisms such as epitope spreading, molecular mimicry, and bystander activation. A systematic review suggests that molecular mimicry between the spike protein and basement membrane components, like BP230 and BP180, could lead to autoantibody production. Vaccination also strongly activates T-helper lymphocytes, cytokine production, autoantibody generation, and complement pathway activation, causing basement membrane damage.
Pemphigus cases post-vaccination are similarly linked to mechanisms like molecular mimicry and bystander activation, with a potential role for CD8+ lymphocytes and the Fas/FasL pathway [33]. Our findings show an increased number of BP and pemphigus cases following mRNA vaccines, particularly BNT162b2, consistent with other studies [78,79,80,81,82,83,84,85,86,87].
There are cases in the literature to report regarding the occurrence or exacerbation of pemphigus following other vaccines. Regarding PV, Cozzani et al. reported a case of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) that developed following tetanus and diphtheria vaccination in an 11-year-old girl. Additionally, Berkun et al. and Mignogna et al. documented two separate instances of PV occurring after vaccination, with one emerging 3 months post-hepatitis B vaccination and the other 1 month after receiving the influenza vaccine [88,89,90].
Other cases are reported as exacerbation of pre-existing PV after influenza vaccination [91].
A different discussion exists for BP because there are no definite and reported data of association in the literature but only reports mostly in pediatric age following the combination of various vaccines. Therefore, with respect to PV, it is not possible to correlate it with one type of vaccine [92,93,94,95].
The mechanisms that cause relapse after vaccination remain uncertain. Two main hypotheses have been proposed: (i) an overactive immune response in individuals with a genetic predisposition, possibly leading to the development of anti-desmoglein antibodies, and (ii) cross-reactivity between vaccine antigens and pemphigus antigens. While there is no definitive evidence supporting these theories in pemphigus or other immune-mediated blistering conditions, such mechanisms have been suggested in the vaccine-induced worsening of other autoimmune diseases [96].
Influenza vaccination is generally recommended for patients on immunosuppressive therapy; however, it may trigger a flare-up of the underlying disease in individuals receiving treatment for autoimmune disorders [96,97,98,99,100].
As reported for COVID-19 vaccination, we can certainly say that although the association may also be present with other vaccines, the benefit of the vaccine itself far outweighs the risk of both occurrence and exacerbation.

5. Conclusions

COVID-19 vaccines were developed to overcome the pandemic period, and the mass administration of such vaccines has led to adverse reactions not often detected in clinical trials. The association between COVID-19 vaccines and AIBD is a possible event. However, the exact correlation between the development of bullous diseases and vaccine administration requires clarification and needs further investigation. The identification of a potential causal relationship between vaccination and the occurrence or recurrence of these diseases is important for assessing the risk and counseling patients.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, F.M. and T.B.; methodology, M.M.; software, M.N.; validation, M.D., L.P. and C.P.; formal analysis, M.D.; investigation, F.M.; resources, T.B.; data curation, L.P.; writing—original draft preparation, L.P.; writing—review and editing, F.M.; visualization, C.P.; supervision, M.M.; project administration, C.P.; funding acquisition, M.N. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

Data are reported in the current study.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Viruses 16 01896 g001
Figure 1. PRISMA 2020 flow diagram for new systematic reviews that include searches of databases and registers only. * Consider, if feasible to do so, reporting the number of records identified from each database or register searched (rather than the total number across all databases/registers). ** If automation tools were used, indicate how many records were excluded by a human and how many were excluded by automation tools. From: Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ 2021;372:n71. doi: 10.1136/bmj.n71 [5]. For more information, visit: http://www.prisma-statement.org/.
Figure 1. PRISMA 2020 flow diagram for new systematic reviews that include searches of databases and registers only. * Consider, if feasible to do so, reporting the number of records identified from each database or register searched (rather than the total number across all databases/registers). ** If automation tools were used, indicate how many records were excluded by a human and how many were excluded by automation tools. From: Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ 2021;372:n71. doi: 10.1136/bmj.n71 [5]. For more information, visit: http://www.prisma-statement.org/.
Viruses 16 01896 g001
Table 1. Pemphigus and BP following COVID-19 vaccination. BP: bullous pemphigoid; PV: pemphigus vulgaris (PV); PF: pemphigus foliaceus.
Table 1. Pemphigus and BP following COVID-19 vaccination. BP: bullous pemphigoid; PV: pemphigus vulgaris (PV); PF: pemphigus foliaceus.
AuthorsNumber of CasesClinical ManifestationsPatient (Age/Sex)COVID-19 Vaccination, Vaccination DoseDays to Onset the Symptoms New Onset or Recurrence
Shakoei et al. [3]4PV28, FSinopharm
First dose		14Recurrence
PV30, FSinopharm
First dose		16New onset
BP85, FSinopharm
First dose		20New onset
BP91, MSinopharm
First dose		19New onset
Rasner et al. [4]3BP88, MPfizer/BioNTech
Second dose		1Recurrence
BP69, MModerna
Second dose		14Recurrence
PF50, FPfizer/BioNTech
First dose		7Recurrence
Baffa et al. [6]1BP91, FPfizer/BioNTech
Second dose		10New onset
Calabria et al. [7]1Oral mucous membrane pemphigoid72, FPfizer/BioNTech
Third dose		9New onset
Yamamoto et al. [8]1BP72, MPfizer/BioNTech
Second dose		UnspecifiedNew onset
Sun et al. [9]1BP79, FPfizer/BioNTech
Second dose		3New onset
Dell’Antonia et al. [10]1BP83, MPfizer/BioNTech
First dose		7New onset
Martora et al. [11]4BP60, MPfizer/BioNTech
second dose		7Recurrence
74, MPfizer/BioNTech
second dose		5Recurrence
78, MPfizer/BioNTech
second dose		8Recurrence
80, FModerna
First dose		6Recurrence
Corrá et al. [12]5PV61, FPfizer/BioNTech
Third dose		3New onset
PF80. MPfizer/BioNTech
Third dose		17New onset
PF66, FPfizer/BioNTech
Second dose		28New onset
PV73, FPfizer/BioNTech
Third dose		28New onset
PV63, FAstraZeneca
First dose		28New onset
Cowan et al. [13]10BP: 7Medium age: 75.1
Sex: F:2 M: 5		Pfizer/BioNTech: 3
Unspecified dose:3
AstraZeneca:4
Second dose:4		Medium time: 55.4New onset: 4
Recurrence: 3
Pemphigus: 3Medium age:51.3
Sex: F: 2 M: 1		Pfizer/BioNTech:3
Unspecified dose:3		Medium time: 37.6New onset: 1
Recurrence: 2
Diab et al. [14]4BP70, FSinopharm
First dose		20New onset
PF30, FSinopharm
Second dose		14New onset
BP77, FSinopharm
Second dose		30New onset
PV45, MBIv1-CoViran
Second dose		20New onset
Maronese et al. [15]21BPF: 9
M: 12,
Medium age: 82		Pfizer/BioNTech: 17
AstraZeneca: 2
Moderna: 2
First dose: 8
Second dose: 13		Medium time:
Unspecified		Unspecified
Rouatbi et al. [16]2PF70, MPfizer/BioNtech
First dose		7New onset
48, MAstraZeneca
First dose		5New onset
Young et al. [17]1BP68, MPfizer BioNTech
First dose		3New onset
Bailly-Caillé [18]1anti-p200 BP74, MModerna
Second dose		2New onset
Knechtl et al. [19]1PV89, MPfizer BioNTech
second dose		30New onset
Pauluzzi et al. [20]1BP46, MPfizer/BioNTech
first dose		15New onset
Avallone et al. [21]1PV46, MPfizer/BioNTech
First dose		5Recurrence
Damiani et al. [22]5BP63, FModerna
First dose		3Recurrence
PV40, MModerna
first dose		3Recurrence
BP84, MModerna
first dose		14Recurrence
BP82, FPfizer/BioNTech
First dose		3Recurrence
PV80, MPfizer/BioNTech
First dose		3Recurrence
Hung et al. [23]1BP39, MModerna
first dose		30New onset
Ligrone et al. [24]1PV56, FModerna
Third dose		5Recurrence
Lua et al. [25]1PF83, MPfizer/BioNTech
Second dose		2New onset
Hali et al. [26]5BP51, MAstraZeneca
Second dose		7New onset
BP54, FAstraZeneca
First dose		3New onset
BP68, MAstraZeneca
Second dose		7New onset
PF50, FPfizer/BioNTech
Second dose		15New onset
PV58, FPfizer/BioNTech
First dose		30New onset
Hinterseher et al. [27]4PV: 136, FPfizer/BioNTech
Third dose		7Recurrence
BP: 366, MPfizer/BioNTech
First dose		21New onset
67, MAstraZeneca
First dose		7Recurrence
61, FPfizer/BioNTech
Third dose		UnspecifiedRecurrence
Schmidt et al. [28]1BP84, FModerna
first dose		UnspecifiedNew onset
Pérez-López et al. [29]1BP78, FPfizer/BioNTech
First dose		3New onset
Alshammari et al. [30]1BP78, MPfizer/BioNTech
Second dose		1New onset
Desai et al. [31]1BP73, FModerna
Second dose		1New onset
Agharbi et al. [32]1BP77, MAstraZeneca
First dose		1New onset
Aryanian et al. [33]1PV43, MAstraZeneca
Second dose		2New onset
Hatami et al. [34]2PV34, MAstraZeneca
Unspecified dose		UnspecifiedNew onset
PV61, MAstraZeneca
Unspecified dose		7Recurrence
Pham et al. [35]2PF53, FAstraZeneca
Fourth dose		21New onset
PF30, FModerna
Second dose		60New onset
Bostan et al. [36]1BP67, MUnspecified
First dose		35New onset
Maronese et al. [37]3BP67, MPfizer/BioNTech
First dose		UnspecifiedNew onset
BP84, FPfizer/BioNTech
First dose		UnspecifiedNew onset
BP86, MPfizer/BioNTech
First dose		UnspecifiedNew onset
Solimani et al. [38]1PV40, FPfizer/BioNTech
First dose		5New onset
Singh et al. [39]1PV40, MCovishield
Second dose		7New onset
Koutlas et al. [40]1PV60, MModerna
Second dose		7New onset
Thongprasom et al. [41]1Oral pemphigus38, FAstraZeneca
First dose		7New onset
Shanshal [42]1Dyshidrosiform BP90, FPfizer/BioNTech
First dose		7New onset
Corrá et al. [12]5PV61, FPfizer/BioNTech
Third dose		3New onset
PF80, MPfizer/BioNTech
Third dose		17New onset
PF66, FPfizer/BioNTech
Second dose		28New onset
PV73, FPfizer/BioNTech
Third dose		28New onset
PV63, FAstraZeneca
First dose		28New onset
Alami et al. [43]1PF44, MSinopharm
First dose		7New onset
Lansang et al. [44]1IgA pemphigus64, MModerna
Second dose		20New onset
eWan et al. [45]2BP50, FPfizer/BioNTech
Second dose		14New onset
BP82, MPfizer/BioNTech
Second dose		3New onset
Afacan et al. [46]7BPMedium Age:75.2
F: 5
M: 2		CoronaVac:7
First dose: 1
Second dose: 4
Third dose: 2		Medium time: 18.7New onset: 4
Recurrence: 3
Matsumoto et al. [47]1PF73, MUnspecified
First dose		22New onset
Rungraungrayabkul et al. [48]1Oral mucous membrane pemphigoid74, FPfizer/BioNTech
First dose		21New onset
Pourani et al. [49]1PF75, MSinopharm
Third dose		14New onset
Yıldırıcı et al. [50]1PF65, MPfizer/BioNTech
First dose		30New onset
Bardazzi et al. [51]4BP76, FPfizer/BioNTech
Third dose		12New onset
BP79, MPfizer/BioNTech
Third dose		9New onset
BP57, FModerna
Third dose		7Recurrence
BP62, MPfizer/BioNTech
Third dose		7Recurrence
Mustin et al. [52]1Pemphigoid Gestationis36, FPfizer/BioNTech
Second dose		10New onset
Gui et al. [53]2Pemphigus vegetans25, MPfizer/BioNTech
Second dose		30New onset
PF67, FModerna
Second dose		14New onset
Zou et al. [54]3PV60, MModerna
Second dose		7New onset
PV40, FPfizer/BioNTech
First dose		5New onset
PV38, FAstraZeneca
First dose		7New onset
Reis et al. [55]1PF35, FPfizer/BioNTech
Second dose		14New onset
Akoglu [56]3PV69, FUnspecified
Second dose		7New onset
PV58, FUnspecified
Seconde dose		UnspecifiedRecurrence
PV31, FPfizer/BioNTech
Second dose		7Recurrence
Khalayli et al. [57]1PV50, FUnspecified
Second dose		7New onset
Norimatsu et al. [58]1PV86, MPfizer/BioNTech
Second dose		1New onset
Almasi-Nasrabadi et al. [59]1PF62, FAstraZeneca
First dose		7New onset
Falcinelli et al. [60]1Pemphigus erythematosus63, FPfizer/BioNTech
Second dose		2New onset
Ong et al. [61]1PV46, FModerna
First dose		7Recurrence
Saffarian et al. [62]1PV76, FSinopharm
Second dose		30New onset
Gambichler et al. [63]2BP80, MPfizer/BioNTech
First dose		7New onset
BP89, MPfizer/BioNTech
First dose		2New onset
Agharbi et al. [64]1PV72, MPfizer/BioNTech
Second dose		7New onset
Table 2. Patient characteristics, clinical manifestations, timing to onset of symptoms, type and dose of COVID-19 vaccination received in patients with pemphigoid after vaccination. BP: bullous pemphigoid.
Table 2. Patient characteristics, clinical manifestations, timing to onset of symptoms, type and dose of COVID-19 vaccination received in patients with pemphigoid after vaccination. BP: bullous pemphigoid.
Number of Patients (n = 83)
Sex
Male46 (55.4%)
Female37 (44.6%)
Mean Age (SD)72 ± 12.7
Clinical Manifestations
BP78 (94%)
Others5 (6%)
Days to symptom onset (SD)11 ± 10.8
New onset diagnosis43 (51.8%)
Recurrence19 (22.9%)
Unspecified21 (25.3%)
Type of COVID-19 vaccination
BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech)49 (59%)
mRNA-1273 (Moderna)11 (13.3%)
ChAdOx1 nCoV-19
AZD1222 (AstraZeneca)		11 (13.3%)
BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm)4 (4.8%)
CoronaVac (Sinovac)7 (8.4%)
Unspecified1 (1.2%)
Vaccination dose
1st dose34 (41%)
2nd dose38 (45.8%)
3rd dose8 (9.6%)
Unspecified3 (3.6%)
Table 3. Patient characteristics, clinical manifestations, timing to onset of symptoms, type and dose of COVID-19 vaccination received in patients with pemphigus after vaccination. PV: pemphigus vulgaris (PV); PF: pemphigus foliaceus.
Table 3. Patient characteristics, clinical manifestations, timing to onset of symptoms, type and dose of COVID-19 vaccination received in patients with pemphigus after vaccination. PV: pemphigus vulgaris (PV); PF: pemphigus foliaceus.
Number of Patients (n = 59)
Sex
Male25 (42.4%)
Female34 (57.6%)
Mean Age (SD)55 ± 16.6
Clinical Manifestations
PV33 (55.9%)
PF19 (32.2%)
Others7 (11.9%)
Days to symptom onset (SD)14 ± 11.7
New onset diagnosis46 (78%)
Recurrence13 (22%)
Type of COVID-19 vaccination
BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech)29 (49.2%)
mRNA-1273 (Moderna)8 (13.5%)
ChAdOx1 nCoV-19
AZD1222 (AstraZeneca)		10 (16.9%)
ChAdOx1 nCoV-19
(Covishield)		1 (1.7%)
BIv1-CoViran1 (1.7%)
BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm)6 (10.2%)
Unspecified4 (6.8%)
Vaccination dose
1st dose20 (33.9%)
2nd dose24 (40.7%)
3rd dose9 (15.2%)
4th dose1 (1.7%)
Unspecified5 (8.5%)
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MDPI and ACS Style

Martora, F.; Battista, T.; Potestio, L.; Napolitano, M.; Patruno, C.; Megna, M.; D’Agostino, M. Pemphigus and Bullous Pemphigoid Following COVID-19 Vaccination: A Systematic Review. Viruses 2024, 16, 1896. https://doi.org/10.3390/v16121896

AMA Style

Martora F, Battista T, Potestio L, Napolitano M, Patruno C, Megna M, D’Agostino M. Pemphigus and Bullous Pemphigoid Following COVID-19 Vaccination: A Systematic Review. Viruses. 2024; 16(12):1896. https://doi.org/10.3390/v16121896

Chicago/Turabian Style

Martora, Fabrizio, Teresa Battista, Luca Potestio, Maddalena Napolitano, Cataldo Patruno, Matteo Megna, and Michela D’Agostino. 2024. "Pemphigus and Bullous Pemphigoid Following COVID-19 Vaccination: A Systematic Review" Viruses 16, no. 12: 1896. https://doi.org/10.3390/v16121896

APA Style

Martora, F., Battista, T., Potestio, L., Napolitano, M., Patruno, C., Megna, M., & D’Agostino, M. (2024). Pemphigus and Bullous Pemphigoid Following COVID-19 Vaccination: A Systematic Review. Viruses, 16(12), 1896. https://doi.org/10.3390/v16121896

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