Olfactory and gustatory disorder after COVID-19 vaccination

ABSTRACT

Background Olfactory and gustatory disorders after COVID-19 vaccination have been described in the literature in case reports. These are mainly described after the Comirnaty vaccination. In this case report, the olfactory and gustatory disorders of two patients after Comirnaty vaccination are described. Methods The two affected patients with persistent subjective olfactory and/ or gustatory dysfunction after COVID-19 vaccination were evaluated using olfactory testing with Sniffin Sticks (TDI) and taste testing. Therapy was subsequently initiated and patients were followed up at regular intervals. Results 2 Patients (1 male and 1 female) with an average age of 80 years, who developed olfactory and/or gustatory disorders after the first and second vaccination respectively, were examined and tested. One case exhibited in the subjective and objective tests a functional anosmia (TDI right 14.3, left 12.8) whilst the second case displayed hyposmia (TDI right 18.75, left 21.75) and hypogeusia (right 4/16, left 6/16). Antibody testing showed the presence of IgG(S) but no IgG(Nc) was detected. Discussion Olfactory dysfunction in terms of hyp- or anosmia, as well as parosmia, may occur in patients after COVID-19 vaccination without previous COVID- 19-infection and should always be tested objectively. One case even exhibited hypogeusia. Despite laboratory diagnostics, previous COVID-19 infections cannot be ruled out with certainty. Age-related pre-existing disorders cannot be evaluated. Whether the course of olfactory dysfunction is comparable to that of patients after COVID-19 infection needs to be investigated in further studies.