A case of acute demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy with bilateral facial palsy after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine

Neurol Sci. 2021 Nov;42(11):4747-4749. doi: 10.1007/s10072-021-05467-w. Epub 2021 Jul 17.

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began in late 2019. Researchers around the world are aggressively working to develop a vaccine. One of the vaccines approved against COVID-19 is Oxford-AstraZeneca chimpanzee adenovirus vectored vaccine ChAdOx1 nCoV-19.

Case report: We described a patient who developed four limb distal paraesthesia, postural instability, and facial diplegia, ten days after vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (ABW1277). The electrophysiological findings were compatible with acute demyelinating motor polyneuropathy (Guillain-Barrè syndrome).

Discussion: We therefore want to describe a temporal correlation between administration of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (ABW1277) vaccine and GBS without evidence of other predisposing infectious or autoimmune factors. This paper aims to highlight the importance of pharmacovigilance and subsequent reports will be needed to evaluate the possible correlation between these two events.

Keywords: COVID-19; Guillain-Barrè syndrome; Pandemic; Vaccine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • COVID-19*
  • ChAdOx1 nCoV-19
  • Facial Paralysis*
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome*
  • Humans
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Vaccines*

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Vaccines
  • ChAdOx1 nCoV-19