Review Article

Is Myasthenia Gravis a Real Complication of the COVID-19 Vaccine? A Case Report-Based Systematic Review

Table 1

Patients’ characteristics in myasthenia gravis diagnosis following COVID-19 vaccines.

Author/ Year/countryAge/genderComorbiditiesName of vaccineTime interval/doseVaccine side effectsMG first signs and symptomsPhysical examination findingsLaboratory findingsEMG findingsRadiologic findingsAcute treatmentMain treatmentFinal outcome

Augustine Chavez et al./August 2021/USA [18]82/MLaryngeal cancer (hemi-laryngectomy) and barrett’s esophagus, stage 3 CKDBNT162b22 days/2ndNRSlurred speech, perioral numbness, and difficulty in chewing and spittingHoarse voice, normal neurologic examination (healthy cranial nerve, no cognitive, sensory, or motor deficits)AchR-binding antibody titer: 11.4, AchR modulating antibody: 93%, and Striational antibody titer: 1 : 245760RNST: decrement responseHead CT scan: changes in white matter (as a result of aging), and no acute intracranial abnormality, MRI: no laryngeal tumorNRPyridostigmin, speech therapy, steroids, and IVIGDischarged (transferred to a rehabilitation center)
Myung Ah Lee et al./November 2021/Korea [14]33/FNo medical historyBNT162b2The evening of the injection/ 2ndMyalgiaGeneralized weakness, binocular diplopia, bilateral ptosis, difficulty with moving her arms and neck, dysarthria, and dysphagiaBoth lower and upper extremities MRC scale: 4.5, sensory and motor NCS results: normalAchR antibody titer: <0.02 nmol/L and Neostigmine test confirmed the diagnosis of MGRNST: remarkable decrement response of right orbicularis oculiChest CT: mild thymus hyperplasiaNROral pyridostigmine (360 mg/day)Recovered and discharged

Abdulla Watad et al./March 2021/Israel [17]72/MRecurrent pericarditis (colchicine-treated)BNT162b21 day/2ndNRNRNRNRDecrement response on the shoulder and facial muscles (28 to 46%)NRPLEXPrednisone 60 mgRecovered
73/MNRBNT162b27 days/2ndNRStarted with ocular signs continued with respiratory symptoms and bulbar signsNRNRBorderline decrement but remarkable pathologic jitterNRPLEXPyridostigmin, prednisoneIntubated
Giuliana Galassi et al./January 2022/Italy [19]73/MMild hypertension and myocardial infarction (smoker)ChAdOx18 days/1stMyalgia and Fever (up to 39°C)Psoriasis (in both elbows) and Painless left-sided ptosisNRRF: 240 IU/ml, COVID-19 PCR: Negative, Anti- AChR antibody titer: 1.9 nmol/lRNST: Decrement response in nasalis muscle (14.7%) and Normal response in the ulnar and accessory nervesBrain CT: normal Chest CT: No thymomaParacetamolPyridostigmine bromide (240 mg per day)Recovered

M: male, F: female, CKD: chronic kidney disease, Plex: plasma exchange, AchR: acetylcholine receptor, RNST: repetitive nerve stimulation test, CT: computed tomography, MRC: muscle power assessment, NCS: nerve conduction studies, Musk: muscle-specific kinase, RF: rheumatoid factor, PCR: polymerase chain reaction, and NR: not reported.