Marked increase of interferon-β after BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination: a case of polyarthritis with pleurisy

Abstract

Exacerbation of rheumatic disease after vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is being reported. However, there are only a few cases of new-onset rheumatic diseases. We present two cases of new-onset persistent polyarthritis that developed in patients after receiving the mRNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. One patient had bilateral pleural effusions with markedly elevated serum interferon (IFN)-β, while the other had no effusion, with serum IFN-β comparable with that in healthy subjects. Other cytokines were unaltered in association with effusion. Both patients responded well to treatment with 20 mg prednisolone. Although more investigations are needed, the marked increase in serum IFN-β levels observed in the case with pleural effusion may reflect an excessive response from the innate immune system to mRNA vaccines.