Kikuchi Fujimoto Lymphadenitis: A Rare Association With COVID-19 Vaccination

Abstract

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD), also known as histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is an uncommon cause of protracted cervical lymphadenopathy in both children and adults. Although the majority of cases have been documented in Asia, this disease has been characterized globally since it was first identified in Japan in 1972. KFD's etiology is not entirely understood, although various theories have been postulated. Usually benign, Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease resolves within six months. KFD must be distinguished from other causes of chronic lymphadenopathy, such as lymphoma, inflammatory illnesses, autoimmune conditions, viral lymphadenopathy, and also from tuberculosis, especially in India, where it is still endemic. Here, we present the case report of a healthcare worker with a known case of hypothyroidism and autoimmune skin disorder who presented with prolonged fever, joint pain, and generalized lymphadenopathy post-COVID vaccination and was diagnosed as having KFD on biopsy, which can be associated with a very unusual presentation of this disease.

Kikuchi‐Fujimoto disease following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection: A rare disease with increased incidence during the COVID‐19 pandemic?

“…A literature search was conducted on PubMed and google scholar with keywords including Kikuchi, Fujimoto, COVID‐19, and SARS‐CoV‐2. Since the start of the pandemic, 13 cases of post‐COVID‐19 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 KFD and 12 cases of post‐COVID‐19 vaccination 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 KFD have been reported worldwide. It has been suggested that SARS‐CoV‐2 can excessively stimulate the immune system, leading to generation of autoimmunity, 33 but the exact pathophysiological mechanism of post‐COVID‐19 KFD is still unknown.…”

“…4 COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, was suggested to trigger KFD. 5 Cases of post-COVID-19 [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] KFD and post-COVID-19 vaccine [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] KFD have emerged in recent years. In this article, we report the first case of post-COVID-19 KFD in Hong Kong.…”

“… 4 COVID‐19, the disease caused by SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, was suggested to trigger KFD. 5 Cases of post‐COVID‐19 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 KFD and post‐COVID‐19 vaccine 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 KFD have emerged in recent years. In this article, we report the first case of post‐COVID‐19 KFD in Hong Kong.…”