Post-HPV-Vaccination Mast Cell Activation Syndrome: Possible Vaccine-Triggered Escalation of Undiagnosed Pre-Existing Mast Cell Disease?

Abstract

For nearly a decade, case reports and series have emerged regarding dysautonomias—particularly postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)—presenting soon after vaccination against human papilloma virus (HPV). We too have observed a number of such cases (all following vaccination with the Gardasil product), and have found several to have detectable mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) as well as histories suggesting that MCAS was likely present long before vaccination. We detail 11 such cases here, posing a hypothesis that HPV vaccination (at least with the Gardasil product) may have triggered or exacerbated MCAS in teenagers previously not recognized to have it. Only recently recognized, MCAS is being increasingly appreciated as a prevalent and chronic multisystem disorder, often emerging early in life and presenting with inflammatory ± allergic phenomena following from known mast cell (MC) mediator effects. There is rising recognition, too, of associations of MCAS with central and peripheral neuropathic disorders, including autonomic disorders such as POTS. Given the recognized potential for many antigens to trigger a major and permanent escalation of baseline MC misbehavior in a given MCAS patient, we hypothesize that in our patients described herein, vaccination with Gardasil may have caused pre-existing (but not yet clinically recognized) MCAS to worsen to a clinically significantly degree, with the emergence of POTS and other issues. The recognition and management of MCAS prior to vaccinations in general may be a strategy worth investigating for reducing adverse events following HPV vaccinations and perhaps even other types of vaccinations.

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) as an Adverse Event to the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine and Its Relationship with Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome (EDS)

“…There is evidence that HPV vaccinations can trigger mast cell activation syndromes [15]. This can explain the association of HPV-triggered POTS and the association of EDS type III.…”

Chronic Fatigue and Dysautonomia following COVID-19 Vaccination Is Distinguished from Normal Vaccination Response by Altered Blood Markers

“…In summary, PACVS presents a phenotype of acquired autonomous dysfunction that overlaps with various established multisystemic dysautonomia syndromes such as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) [6,7], postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) [8], fibromyalgia/chronic pain syndrome [9], small fiber neuropathy (SFN) [10] and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) [11]. Interestingly, symptoms similarly conforming to ME/CFS and POTS have been observed following vaccinations against human papillomavirus [12][13][14][15][16] and hepatitis B virus [17].…”

Chronic Fatigue and Dis-Autonomy following COVID-19 Vaccination is Distinguished from Normal Vaccination Response by Altered Blood Markers

“…In summary, PACVS presents a phenotype of acquired autonomous dysfunction, which overlaps with various established multisystemic dis-autonomy syndromes such as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) [6,7], postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) [8], fibromyalgia/chronic pain syndrome [9], small fiber neuropathy (SFN) [10] and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) [11]. Interestingly, symptoms similarly conforming to ME/CFS and POTS have been observed following vaccinations against human papilloma virus [12][13][14][15][16] and hepatitis B virus [17].…”