ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: In this review, cases of herpes zoster (HZ) infection following receipt of COVID-19 vaccines will be analyzed. We also present two cases of oral HZ following the COVID-19 vaccine and discuss this clinical anatomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A database search using PubMed was conducted in August 2021 and 20 articles were found to be eligible for review. Patient data and vaccine information were analyzed. In addition, two cases of oral HZ infection following the receipt of COVID-19 vaccines are presented. RESULTS: A total of 399 cases were identified. The affected dermatomes mimicked the regular distribution of HZ. For the dermatomes of the face, the various reports used different ways to describe the areas involved; CNV, CNV1, CNV2, CNV3, lower jaw, forehead, and under the eyebrow (CNV, 2 cases; CNV1, 4 cases; CNV2, 3 cases; and CNV3, 3 cases). Some patients who had a history of varicella zoster virus vaccination had HZ following the COVID-19 vaccination. Two patients with oral HZ following vaccination were found to have involvement of the greater palatine nerve. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccine-related HZ cases have been reported worldwide. Although many studies with a larger number of cases are ongoing, detailed information can be obtained from case reviews as reported herein.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Herpes Zoster Vaccine , Herpes Zoster , COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects , Herpes Zoster/etiology , Herpes Zoster Vaccine/adverse effects , Humans , SARS-CoV-2 , Vaccination/adverse effectsABSTRACT
The distribution of cells expressing SARS-CoV-2 entry factor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) in human oral tissues were tested. The investigation was conducted with normal flesh tissue and paraffin-embedded specimens. The ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression was detected with all subjects in the normal mucosa of the keratinized stratified squamous epithelia of the tongue and non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelia of the lip and cheek. It was found that ACE2 is expressed in the cytoplasm and on the cell membrane mainly in the stratum granulosum of the epithelia while the TMPRSS2 is strongly expressed on the cell membrane mainly in the stratum granulosum and stratum spinosum, but not in the stratum basale. Antibodies' reactions for ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were not observed in the nuclei or keratin layer. The expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the oral epithelia appears to be general, and the expression was also observed in the mucous and serous acini of the labial glands. The SARS-CoV-2 may transiently attach to the oral mucosa and the minor salivary glands which are present under all of the oral mucosa. The oral cavity can be considered an important organ for SARS-CoV-2 attachment and may provide a preventive medical avenue to guard against COVID-19 by preventing saliva from scattering.