Case Report: Two Cases of Subacute Thyroiditis Following SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination

Abstract

Subacute thyroiditis is an inflammatory thyroid disorder associated with viral infections. Rare cases of subacute thyroiditis have also been described following vaccination. Recently, a few cases of subacute thyroiditis following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination have also been reported. Here, we present two cases of cytological proven subacute thyroiditis after receiving the first dose of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. We describe clinical, laboratory, imaging and cytological findings in two cases of subacute thyroiditis that presented in our department 2 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination with Spikevax (Moderna Biotech, Spain) and Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca; Sweden). Both cases did not have a previous history of thyroid disorders and presented with anterior and lateral neck pain. Clinical test results as well as cytological findings were consistent with subacute thyroiditis. Subacute thyroiditis may develop following a SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and should be considered as a possible side effect in cases that present with thyroid pain.

Recurring subacute thyroiditis after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine: A case report

“…Recently, following the massive vaccination programme worldwide, there have been a few reports of thyroid dysfunction after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, including SAT [ [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] ] and Graves' disease [ 19 , [29] , [30] , [31] ]. All types of vaccines have been involved, namely inactivated virus SARS-CoV-2 vaccines CORONAVAC [ [13] , [14] , [15] ] and COVAXIN [ 21 ], viral vector-based vaccines VAXZEVRIA [ [16] , [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , 31 ] and Janssen [ 19 ] and mRNA-based vaccines COMIRNATY [ [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] ] and MODERNA [ 20 ].…”

“…In addition, SAT has been described following influenza or hepatitis B vaccination [ [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] ]. Recently, cases have been reported of SAT following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination with CoronaVac (Sinovac Life Sciences, China) [ [13] , [14] , [15] ], Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca, Sweden) [ [16] , [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] ], Spikevax (Moderna Biotech, Spain) [ 20 ], Covaxin (Bharat Biotech, India) [ 21 ], and Pfizer-BioNTech SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine (BioNTech, Fosun Pharma, Pfizer, Germany and USA) [ [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] ].…”

Subacute thyroiditis post-Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccination for COVID-19

“…A small number of cases of subacute thyroiditis following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination have been reported recently ( 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ). Only one previous case of subacute thyroiditis post-Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been described in the literature with clinical and biochemical improvement in symptoms after a short course of anti-inflammatory therapy ( 6 ).…”

“…Oyibo has reported a case of subacute thyroiditis following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination with AstraZeneca ( 9 ). Two more cases of subacute thyroiditis have been described after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination with Moderna Biotech and AstraZeneca ( 10 ). One other case has been described post-AstraZeneca vaccine, which contains recombinant replication-deficient chimpanzee adenovirus vector encoding the SARS CoV-2 spike glycoprotein ( 11 ).…”

Development of Graves' Disease After SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccination: A Case Report and Literature Review

“…Indeed, there are several case reports of thyroiditis after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. These events of thyroiditis occurred after mRNA vaccines ( 2 , 3 ), inactivated vaccines ( 3 – 6 ) and adenovirus-vectored SARS-CoV-2 vaccines ( 7 ). In contrast, reports of Graves' disease occurring after SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are restricted to after mRNA vaccines ( 8 , 9 ).…”