Page 109 - ITPS-8-3
P. 109
INNOSC Theranostics and
Pharmacological Sciences Persistent olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions caused by COVID-19 vaccination
Table 1. Case reports of persistent smell and taste disorders following COVID‑19 vaccination
References Causative vaccine Onset after Manifestations Persistent Previous COVID‑19
vaccination manifestations and infection and course
duration
Zamzami Second dose of the 7 days - A 38-year-old male Parosmia for more than - Yes
et al. 6 AstraZeneca/Oxford - Sudden onset of parosmia (unpleasant 4 months - Smell and taste loss
vaccine (August 2021) smoke-like odor) - Complete resolution
- No smell or taste loss within 10 – 12 days
- Treatment included oral and nasal
steroids, omega-3 supplement
Fantin et al. First dose of the 2 days - A 76-year-old male Hyposmia for more than N/A
7
AstraZeneca/Oxford - Hyposmia, dysgeusia, parosmia, left 3 months
vaccine aural fullness, and tinnitus
- Treatment included nasal steroids,
multivitamins, and olfactory training
- MRI showed mild atrophy of the
olfactory bulbs
Ogata et al. 8 Second dose of the 1 day - A 70-year-old Japanese man Dysgeusia for several No
Pfizer-BioNTech - Acute onset of weakness and months
vaccine paresthesia in all four limbs, impaired
proprioception, sensory ataxia
(acute inflammatory demyelinating
polyneuropathy, more commonly
known as GBS), tongue paresthesia, and
dysgeusia (bitter taste sensation)
- Normal smell, sweet, sour, and salt
sensation
- Seronegative for post-infective GBS
antibodies
- Partial improvement of dysgeusia and
motor and sensory manifestations with
corticosteroids, not IVIG.
- The authors suggested that the
improvement with steroids, rather
than IVIG, might be due to that
the mechanism of GBS after
COVID-19 vaccination is related to
immune-mediated inflammation rather
than molecular mimicry
Barter and Johnson and Johnson 3 weeks - A 39-year-old male Phantosmia for more No
Bagnato 9 (Janssen) vaccine - Phantosmia (burning or smoke odor): than 21 months
Initially daily for~1 h, then decreased in
duration, frequency, and intensity over
11 months (1 to 2 times per week)
Shin and First dose of the Several days - A 74-year-old male Hyposmia and dysgeusia No
Tam. 10 Moderna vaccine - Hyposmia and dysgeusia for more than 2 years
(March 2021) - History of ESKD (on hemodialysis),
peripheral neuropathy, hypertension,
hyperlipidemia, atrial fibrillation,
cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and
cerebrovascular stroke.
- Prior dysgeusia improved with dialysis
(pre-pandemic)
- Post-vaccine hyposmia and dysgeusia
did not improve with dialysis
- Normal blood glucose, zinc, vitamin
B12, thyroid function, and Sjogren’s
disease workup
(Cont'd...)
Volume 8 Issue 3 (2025) 103 doi: 10.36922/ITPS025140020
