Oropharyngeal shedding of herpesviruses before and after BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination against COVID-19.

Introduction: Concerns were raised over an increase in Bell's palsy, herpes simplex and herpes zoster after BNT162b2 vaccination, all are manifestations of herpesviruses reactivation. As herpesviruses commonly reactivate in the oropharynx, we have hypothesized that oropharyngeal shedding of herpesviruses will increase after vaccination.
Methods: Immune-competent Adults, excluding those using topical steroids or manifesting symptomatic herpesvirus infection, were sampled before BNT162b2 vaccination and one week after. Herpesviruses 1-7 shedding was tested with a multiplexed PCR.
Results: In 103 paired samples the prevalence of herpesviruses was similar before and after vaccination: HSV1, 3.9% vs. 5.8% (p = 0.75); HSV2, 0% vs. 1% (p = not applicable, NA); VZV, 0% vs. 0% (p = NA); EBV, 14.6% vs. 17.5% (p = 0.63); CMV, 0% vs. 0% (p = NA); HHV6, 4.9% vs. 7.8% (p = 0.55); HHV7, 71.8% vs. 72.8% (p = 1); any herpesvirus, 73.8% vs. 74.8% (p = 1).
Discussion: We did not find evidence for increased oropharyngeal reactivation of herpesviruses one week after BNT162b2.
Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Tal Brosh-Nissimov reports a relationship with Pfizer Inc that includes: travel reimbursement, with no relevence to COVID-19 vaccines. Tal Brosh-Nissimov is a co-chairman of the Israeli COVID-19 vaccine advisory committee.
(Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)