Sex: F
Vaccine: COVID19
Symptoms: SARS-CoV-2 test
Clinical narrative: Pleurodynia after the covid-19 vaccine; This is a literature report.  COVID vaccinations have been encouraged by many healthcare providers but many adverse effects have also been reported. The adverse effects of the vaccine can vary based on each individual. Common adverse effects of the vaccine included fatigue, fever, chills, sore throat, muscle pain, headache, rash at injection site. Pleurodynia, also known as Devil's Grip, is a viral myalgia which causes sharp chest pain or the sensation of a grip around one's chest. Pleurodynia treatment is mostly supportive like anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), pain management, and antibiotics (if bacterial inflammation is suspected). Authors present a case report of a 63-year-old female who presented with complaints of pleuritic chest pain worse with inspiration. She had a history of atrial fibrillation and HTN. Patient had received the Pfizer COVID booster vaccine a few days prior to onset of the pleuritic chest pain. She was obese and had a 40 pack year smoking history. She was on room air saturating 92% with no increased work of breathing. Lung sounds were diminished due to body habitus but clear. Chest x-ray showed low lung volumes with no evidence of acute pulmonary disease. Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) chest showed no pulmonary embolism and small left partially loculated pleural effusion with peripheral airspace opacities abutting the pleura. Acute coronary syndrome was ruled out and other cardiac workup was negative. COVID PCR was negative. Patient was treated empirically for bacterial infection with ceftriaxone and azithromycin. She was given NSAIDS to decrease inflammation and pain. Patient's symptoms improved significantly with treatment. She was discharged on NSAIDS and advised to follow up outpatient with her primary care and pulmonology. Research studies have indicated that the COVID vaccines (like Pfizer) can cause exacerbation of inflammatory or autoimmune conditions. Multiple mechanisms may be responsible for myocarditis, pericarditis, and other inflammatory conditions post vaccines. One mechanism describes that lipid particles of SARS mRNA vaccines can induce inflammation by activating the NLR pyrin domain containing 3 inflammasome of mRNA which are recognized by toll like receptors and cytosolic inflammasome components leading to inflammation. Another mechanism explains that viral proteins can cause immune cross reactivity with self-antigens expressed in the myocardium leading to an inflammatory process. As per current literature review there are no case reports about pleurodynia post COVID vaccination but pericarditis and myocarditis have been described. Further research studies are indicated to assess the cause and pathophysiology of pleurodynia post COVID vaccine. Physicians should have a high index of clinical suspicion for pleurodynia when assessing a patient with pleuritic chest pain with a recent history of COVID vaccination.  The information on the batch/lot number for BNT162B2, BNT162B2 OMI BA.4-5 has been requested and will be submitted if and when received.; Sender's Comments: Based on the information provided and temporal association, a causal relationship between BNT162B2, BNT162B2 OMI BA.4-5  and the reported event pleurodynia cannot be excluded. The impact of this report on the benefit/risk profile of the Pfizer product is evaluated as part of Pfizer procedures for safety evaluation, including the review and analysis of aggregate data for adverse events. Any safety concern identified as part of this review, as well as any appropriate action in response, will be promptly notified to RAs, Ethics Committees, and Investigators, as appropriate.