Published online Sep 26, 2021. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i27.8274
Peer-review started: June 13, 2021
First decision: June 25, 2021
Revised: June 28, 2021
Accepted: July 28, 2021
Article in press: July 28, 2021
Published online: September 26, 2021
Processing time: 94 Days and 22.3 Hours
With rapid and extensive administration of inactivated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine to the general population in China, it is crucial for clinicians to recognize neurological complications or other side effects associated with COVID-19 vaccination.
Here we report the first case of Bell’s palsy after the first dose of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine in China. The patient was a 36-year-old woman with a past history of Bell’s palsy. Two days after receiving the first dose of the Sinovac Life Sciences inactivated COVID-19 vaccine, the patient developed right-side Bell’s palsy and binoculus keratoconjunctivitis. Prednisone, artificial tears and fluorometholone eye drops were applied. The patient’s symptoms began to improve by day 7 and resolved by day 54.
As mRNA COVID-19 vaccine trials reported cases of Bell’s palsy as adverse events, we should pay attention to the occurrence of Bell’s palsy after inactivated COVID-19 vaccination. A history of Bell’s palsy, rapid increase of immunoglobulin M and immunoglobin G-specific antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 may be risk factors for Bell‘s palsy after COVID-19 vaccination.
Core Tip: Bell’s palsy has been reported as an adverse event in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccine trials, but no cases have been seen following administration of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines. Here we report a case of Bell’s palsy in a patient with a history of recurrent Bell’s palsy following one dose of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine. Because of a rapid increase of immunoglobin M- and immunoglobin G-specific antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and keratoconjunctivitis of both eyes after vaccination, we assumed that the humoral immune system was intensively activated, causing local inflammation of the facial nerve and cornea. A history of Bell’s palsy and rapid increase of specific antibodies may be risk factors for Bell’s palsy after COVID-19 vaccination.