Psoriasis Exacerbation Following COVID-19 Mrna Vaccination in an Elderly Patient

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic recurrent inflammatory disease of the skin and joints mediated by different subsets of T-cells and other immune cells. Known trigger factors of psoriasis include bacterial, viral and fungal infections, various drugs, stress, and mechanic irritation. Onset of psoriasis post vaccination for influenza, tuberculosis and pneumococcal pneumonia has been observed, but the exact mechanisms are still unclear. We herein report of an elderly patient with a history of mild to moderate psoriasis episodes in the past years experiencing a severe generalized psoriasis flare-up two weeks after the second dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccination with Corminaty (bnt162b2 biontech/pfizer) had been administered. In the light of current data on psoriasis onset in context with COVID-19, potential molecular psoriasis trigger factors and disease mechanisms are briefly reviewed.