In an important report published in the American Journal of Cardiology, 2 patients (1 female and 1 male) who received the same COVID-19 vaccine messenger RNA-1273 (Moderna) developed acute myocardial infarction 1 day after the first dose. The authors speculated that the Moderna vaccine can induce an antibody response with a lipid-nanoparticle-encapsulated messenger RNA, whereas the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AstraZeneca) can trigger an immune response by the nCoV-19 spike protein.Recent reports have shown Kounis hypersensitivity-associated acute myocardial infarction to be associated with other COVID-19 vaccines including BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech), Covishield vaccine,
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and Sinovac (Coronavac) in addition to Moderna
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and AstraZeneca.Kounis syndrome is a condition associated with hypersensitivity reactions caused by drugs, metals, environmental exposures, conditions, and foods. In a recent report that dealt with 2 patients who developed myocarditis after getting vaccinated with Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech, respectively, endomyocardial biopsy specimens showed inflammatory infiltrates comprising eosinophils and other interacting inflammatory cells, including T cells, B cells, plasma cells, and macrophages, indicating hypersensitivity reactions. Indeed, all currently used vaccines contain excipients (constituents of a pharmaceutical form apart from the active substance) that are speculated to induce hypersensitivity reactions.The viral vector Covishield vaccine, which is similar to AstraZeneca and manufactured in India, contains polysorbate 80, disodium edetate dihydrate (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), and aluminum hydroxide. The Moderna vaccine contains polyethylene glycol and tromethamine, also known as trometamol. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine contains polyethylene glycol. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine contains polysorbate 80. The Sputnik V vaccine contains polysorbate 80 and disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid dehydrate. The Sinovac (Coronavac), which is manufactured in China, contains disodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate, and sodium chloride.These excipients are also found in creams, ointments, lotions, other cosmetics, various dental materials, and anticancer drugs which could sensitize their users. It is estimated that 1% to 5.4% of the population is already sensitized to cosmetics or cosmetic ingredients. Free polysorbate oncology medications are already in the market. Alternatives to these excipients, such as alkylsaccharides, are promising agents because they can reduce immunogenicity, improve stability, suppress oxidative damage problems, and may prevent thrombotic and cardiovascular events. COVID-19 free allergenic vaccines would be beneficial.
Disclosures
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Authors: İbrahim Halil Özdemir; Bülent Özlek; Mehmet Burak Özen; Ramazan Gündüz; Özgür Bayturan Journal: J Emerg Med Date: 2021-05-07 Impact factor: 1.484