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Qiao, Jana

A5089437113 | I130769515

Mayo Clinic

Pennsylvania State University

Citations 1

Post-vaccination COVID Toes (Chilblains) Exacerbated by Rituximab Infusion Suggests Interferon Activation as Mechanism

Military Medicine | September 27, 2021 | Volume: 187 | Issue: Special Issue_13 | Pages: e1563-e1565

10.1093/milmed/usab314 | PMID 34570195

ABSTRACT Coronavirus disease (COVID) toes are pernio-like skin lesions associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. We observed pernio-like skin findings presenting after a Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, which significantly worsened after an infusion of rituximab. This suggests that the mechanism for COVID toes is interferon activation. Military providers may avoid unnecessary referrals for this self-limiting condition by anticipating this adverse effect.