Miller-Fisher Syndrome following Single-dose J&J COVID-19 Vaccine

Wilson Rodriguez¹*, Margarita Fedorova², Gunjanpreet Kaur³, Lissette Orozco⁴, Karthik Narayanan⁵ and Jafar Kafaie^6
1,3,5,6Department of Neurology, Saint Louis University, USA
²Saint Louis University School of Medicine, USA
⁴St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor hospital, USA
*Corresponding Author: Wilson Rodriguez, Department of Neurology, Saint Louis University, USA.

Published: June 01, 2023

DOI: 10.55162/MCMS.04.133

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Abstract  

GBS and its rare subtype MFS are autoimmune diseases characterized by inflammatory demyelination. Cases of MFS have recently been documented following the SARS-CoV-2 infection and some SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. We describe a 64-year-old Caucasian male who developed gait ataxia, diplopia and bilateral facial paresis within 3 weeks following the J&J vaccine. Diagnosis of MFS was established based on the clinical presentation, CSF analysis, electrophysiology, and serology. He received a 5-day course of IVIG with initial mild improvement of symptoms but with long-term favorable clinical recovery showing favorable prognosis of postvaccination GBS documented in literature. Although the benefits of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination largely outweigh its risk, and the incidence of MFS is rare, it is pertinent to monitor for neurological complications, for an early intervention could be lifesaving.

Keywords: Polyradiculoneuropathy; weakness; immunization; ophthalmoplegia; ataxia