Post-COVID-19 Vaccine Parosmia: A Case Report

Zamzami, Osama S; Kabli, Abdulrahman F; Alhothali, Ammar S; Alhothali, Omar S; Alharbi, Tayil A; Bahakim, Abdullah K; Marglani, Osama

doi:10.7759/cureus.20292

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…However, these reports were more frequently reported by non-healthcare professionals (when compared with other drugs), which may alter their overall reliability. This transient symptom has been attributed to a vaccine-induced inflammatory reaction localized in the olfactory neuroepithelium in a few reports [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]. Furthermore, our study reinforces previous findings about the HPV vaccine [ 40 ], suggesting a possible class–effect association.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drug-Associated Parosmia: New Perspectives from the WHO Safety Database

Merino

Gérard

Thümmler

et al. 2022

JCM

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Parosmia is a qualitative distortion of smell perception. Resulting from central causes, sinonasal diseases, and infections, parosmia has also been associated with medications. Therefore, we aimed to investigate potential signals for drugs associated with parosmia. VigiBase® (the WHO pharmacovigilance database) was queried for all reports of “Parosmia” (MedDRA Preferred Term), registered up to 23 January 2022. Disproportionality analysis relied on the reporting odds ratio and the information component. A signal is detected when the lower end of the 95% confidence interval of the information component is positive. We found 14,032 reports of parosmia, with a median patient age of 53 years. Most reported drugs were antiinfectives, among which COVID-19 vaccines accounted for 27.1% of reports. Antibiotics and corticosteroids were involved in 6.8% and 4.6% of reports. Significant disproportionate reporting was detected for corticosteroids, antibiotics, drugs used in nicotine dependence, COVID-19 and HPV vaccines, serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI), and incretin mimetics. We suggest potential safety signals involving nicotine replacement therapies and vaccines. We also highlight the potential role of less suspected classes, such as SNRIs and incretin mimetics. An iatrogenic etiology should be evoked when parosmia occurs, especially in the elderly.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drug-Associated Parosmia: New Perspectives from the WHO Safety Database

Merino

Gérard

Thümmler

et al. 2022

JCM

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“…Several case reports have been published detailing instances of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction following the COVID-19 vaccination ( 4 , 5 ). However, the potential for broader otolaryngological adverse event following immunization (AEFI)—encompassing the ear, nose, and throat regions—associated with COVID-19 vaccination remains largely unexplored.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Otorhinolaryngologic complications after COVID-19 vaccination, vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS)

Shin,

Shim,

Lee

et al. 2024

Front. Public Health

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BackgroundThere have been reports of otolaryngological adverse event following immunization (AEFI) such as instances of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction following COVID-19 vaccination. This study aimed to analyze otolaryngological AEFIs following COVID-19 vaccination.MethodsThis study was conducted with a secondary data analysis that the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) and the COVID-19 Data Tracker, which are both administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US. Using Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) concepts, AEFIs included: Considering the overall frequency and similarity of symptoms in the first 153 PTs, they were grouped into major 19 AEFIs groups. The incidence rates (IRs) of AEFIs per 100,000 were calculated on individual and cumulative AEFIs levels, involving people who received complete primary series and an updated bivalent booster dose with one of the available COVID-19 vaccines in the US. The proportions of AEFIs by age, sex, and vaccine manufacturer were reported. We also calculated the proportional reporting ratio (PRR) of AEFIs.ResultsWe identified 106,653 otorhinolaryngologic AEFIs from the VAERS database, and a total of 226,593,618 people who received complete primary series in the US. Overall, the IR of total Otorhinolaryngologic AEFIs was 47.068 of CPS (completed primary series) and 7.237 UBB (updated bivalent booster) per 100,000. For most symptoms, being female was associated with statistically significant higher AEFIs. Upon examining the impact of different vaccine manufacturers, the researchers found that Janssen’s vaccine exhibited higher IRs for hearing loss (5.871), tinnitus (19.182), ear infection (0.709), dizziness (121.202), sinusitis (2.088), epistaxis (4.251), anosmia (5.264), snoring (0.734), allergies (5.555), and pharyngitis (5.428). The highest PRRs were for Anosmia (3.617), Laryngopharyngeal Reflux - Acid Reflux (2.632), and Tinnitus -Ringing in the ears (2.343), in that order, with these three significantly incidence than other background noises.ConclusionThis study, utilizing an extensive sample sizes, represents a significant step toward comprehensively characterizing the otolaryngological AEFIs associated with COVID-19 vaccinations. This large-scale analysis aims to move beyond isolated case reports and anecdotal evidence, providing a robust and detailed portrait of the otolaryngological AEFIs landscape in response to COVID-19 vaccinations.

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A singular case of hyposmia and transient audiovestibular post-vaccine disorders: case report and literature review

Fantin

Frosolini

Tundo

et al. 2022

Translational Neuroscience

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Introduction Rare and mild adverse effects on cranial nerves have been reported after vaccination. Here, we report a singular case of smell and taste disorder associated with tinnitus that occurred after Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccination together with a review of the available literature. Case presentation A 76-year-old patient experienced smell disorder, ear fullness and tinnitus 2 days after the first dose of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. The patient then underwent a complete audiological and Ear, Nose and Throat evaluation, nasal endoscopy, Sniffin’Sticks battery, audiometric test battery, and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The exams revealed hyposmia and bilateral reduction of the volume of the olfactory bulbs (OB). At the follow-up, tinnitus was completely resolved while olfactory dysfunction only partially reduced. Review of the literature A PubMed search was conducted on olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions after COVID-19 vaccination resulting in four case reports with a total of 10 patients. The main symptoms were hyposmia, parosmia, and dysgeusia developed after 1–9 days from vaccination with complete resolution occurring within 1 month. Notably, none of the considered articles reported reduction of OB volumes at cerebral MRI. Discussion So far, no definitive cause–effect relationship has been established between anti-COVID19 vaccination and otolaryngologic adverse reactions. The persistence of hyposmia in our patient could possibly be explained by the reduction in OB volume, even though also the advanced age of the patient needs to be taken into account. This is a first indication of a cause–effect relation between hyposmia and Covid19 vaccination, even though a more robust study is needed to confirm the autoimmunological mechanisms responsible for these rare adverse reactions. However, it is worth highlighting that benefits of the anti-COVID-19 vaccination clearly outweigh the risk of rare adverse events.

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Post-COVID-19 Vaccine Parosmia: A Case Report

Cited by 3 publications

References 10 publications

Drug-Associated Parosmia: New Perspectives from the WHO Safety Database

Drug-Associated Parosmia: New Perspectives from the WHO Safety Database

Otorhinolaryngologic complications after COVID-19 vaccination, vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS)

A singular case of hyposmia and transient audiovestibular post-vaccine disorders: case report and literature review

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