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Kim JH, Chung JY, Bong JB. Probable secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis manifesting as central nervous system lesions after COVID-19 vaccination: a case report. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1363072. [PMID: 38529033 PMCID: PMC10962393 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1363072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare systemic inflammatory disease commonly characterized by histiocyte infiltration in multiple organs, such as the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and central nervous system. The clinical features of HLH include fever, splenomegaly, cytopenia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypofibrinogenemia, and elevated blood ferritin levels. HLH is categorized as either primary or secondary. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines may occasionally trigger secondary HLH, which is related to hyperinflammatory syndrome. Case presentation A 58-year-old woman, previously diagnosed with Graves' disease, presented with cognitive decline 2 weeks after receiving the first dose of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. Brain MRI revealed a hyperintense lesion on T2-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images in the bilateral subcortical white matter and right periventricular area. Vaccination-associated acute disseminated encephalomyelitis was suspected and methylprednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) were administered. From the 5th day of IVIg administration, the patient developed fever and pancytopenia. In the findings of bone marrow biopsy, hemophagocytosis was not observed; however, six of the eight diagnostic criteria for HLH-2004 were met, raising the possibility of HLH. Although there was no definitive method to confirm causality, considering the temporal sequence, suspicion arose regarding vaccine-induced HLH. Splenectomy was considered for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes; however, the patient died on the 28th day of hospitalization owing to multiple organ failure. Conclusion To date, 23 cases of COVID-19 vaccine-related HLH have been reported. Additionally, HLH in COVID-19 patients has been reported in various case reports. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of central nervous system involvement in HLH related to any type of COVID-19 vaccine. This case suggests that even when there are no systemic symptoms after COVID-19 vaccination, HLH should be considered as a differential diagnosis if brain lesions are suggestive of CNS demyelinating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jeong Bin Bong
- Department of Neurology, Chosun University College of Medicine, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
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Rocco JM, Boswell KL, Laidlaw E, Epling B, Anderson M, Serebryannyy L, Narpala S, O'Connell S, Kalish H, Kelly S, Porche S, Oguz C, McDermott A, Manion M, Koup RA, Lisco A, Sereti I. Immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in people with idiopathic CD4 lymphopenia. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2024; 153:503-512. [PMID: 38344971 PMCID: PMC10861932 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The immunogenicity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA vaccines is variable in individuals with different inborn errors of immunity or acquired immune deficiencies and is yet unknown in people with idiopathic CD4 lymphopenia (ICL). OBJECTIVE We sought to determine the immunogenicity of mRNA vaccines in patients with ICL with a broad range of CD4 T-cell counts. METHODS Samples were collected from 25 patients with ICL and 23 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers (HVs) after their second or third SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine dose. Anti-spike and anti-receptor binding domain antibodies were measured. T-cell receptor sequencing and stimulation assays were performed to quantify SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses. RESULTS The median age of ICL participants was 51 years, and their median CD4 count was 150 cells/μL; 11 participants had CD4 counts ≤100 cells/μL. Anti-spike IgG antibody levels were greater in HVs than in patients with ICL after 2 and 3 doses of mRNA vaccine. There was no detectable significant difference, however, in anti-S IgG between HVs and participants with ICL and CD4 counts >100 cells/μL. The depth of spike-specific T-cell responses by T-cell receptor sequencing was lower in individuals with ICL. Activation-induced markers and cytokine production of spike-specific CD4 T cells in participants with ICL did not differ significantly compared with HVs after 2 or 3 vaccine doses. CONCLUSIONS Patients with ICL and CD4 counts >100 cells/μL can mount vigorous humoral and cellular immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination; however, patients with more severe CD4 lymphopenia have blunted vaccine-induced immunity and may require additional vaccine doses and other risk mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Rocco
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Kristin L Boswell
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Elizabeth Laidlaw
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Brian Epling
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Megan Anderson
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Leonid Serebryannyy
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Sandeep Narpala
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Sarah O'Connell
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Heather Kalish
- Trans-NIH Shared Resource on Biomedical Engineering and Physical Science, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Sophie Kelly
- Trans-NIH Shared Resource on Biomedical Engineering and Physical Science, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Sarah Porche
- Trans-NIH Shared Resource on Biomedical Engineering and Physical Science, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Cihan Oguz
- Integrated Data Sciences Section, Research Technologies Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Adrian McDermott
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Maura Manion
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Richard A Koup
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Andrea Lisco
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Irini Sereti
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.
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Premec H, Živko M, Mijić M, Jelić-Puškarić B, Lalovac M, Filipec Kanižaj T, Sobočan N. Acute Liver Failure Caused by Secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis After COVID-19 Vaccination - Case Report and Literature Review. Int Med Case Rep J 2023; 16:449-455. [PMID: 37577009 PMCID: PMC10416787 DOI: 10.2147/imcrj.s417347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a congenital or acquired hyperinflammatory syndrome, in some cases accompanied by acute liver failure. We present a case report of acute liver failure associated with HLH after COVID-19 vaccination and bring a literature review of the connection between HLH and COVID-19 vaccination. HLH has significant mortality rate, and liver transplantation is not a therapeutic option. Therefore, early recognition and timely conservative treatment are corner stones in reducing HLH-related morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hrvoje Premec
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Merkur, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Matea Živko
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Mijić
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Merkur, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Biljana Jelić-Puškarić
- Department of Pathology and Cytology, University Hospital Merkur, Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Miloš Lalovac
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Merkur, Zagreb, Croatia
- University of Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Croatia
| | - Tajana Filipec Kanižaj
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Merkur, Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nikola Sobočan
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Merkur, Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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Zhang HQ, Cao BZ, Cao QT, Hun M, Cao L, Zhao MY. An analysis of reported cases of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) after COVID-19 vaccination. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2023; 19:2263229. [PMID: 37811764 PMCID: PMC10563610 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2263229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Although COVID-19 vaccines are an effective public health tool to combat the global pandemic, serious adverse events, such as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), caused by them are a concern. In this systematic review, cases of HLH reported after COVID-19 vaccination have been examined to understand the relationship between the two and propose effective therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, ruxolitinib's potential as a cytokine inhibitor and its affinity for CD25 were initially assessed through molecular docking, aiming to aid targeted HLH therapy. PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for published individual case reports on the occurrence of HLH after the administration of any COVID-19 vaccine. A total of 17 articles (25 patients) were included in this qualitative analysis. Furthermore, molecular docking was employed to investigate the therapeutic potential of ruxolitinib for HLH after COVID-19 vaccination. The mean age of patients who developed HLH after COVID-19 vaccination was 48.1 years. Most HLH episodes occurred after the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination (14/25 cases) and to an extent after the ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccination (5/25 cases). Almost all affected patients received steroid and antibiotic therapy. Three patients died despite treatment because of esophagus rupture, neutropenic fever, bacteroides bacteremia, refractory shock, and encephalopathy and shock. Visual docking results of IL-2 Rα and ruxolitinib using the Discovery Studio 2019 Client software yielded a model score of 119.879. The findings highlight the importance of considering and identifying the adverse effects of vaccination and the possibility of using ruxolitinib for treating HLH after COVID-19 vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Qi Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bu-Zi Cao
- Department of Pediatrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Medical School, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Qing-Tai Cao
- Department of Pediatrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Transplantation Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Marady Hun
- Department of Pediatrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lin Cao
- Academician Workstation, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of the Research and Development of Novel Pharmaceutical Preparations, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
| | - Ming-Yi Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Shimada Y, Nagaba Y, Okawa H, Ehara K, Okada S, Yokomori H. A case of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis after BNT162b2 COVID-19 (Comirnaty®) vaccination. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e31304. [PMID: 36316859 PMCID: PMC9622336 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000031304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus, was reported in Wuhan of China in December 2019. The world is still in a state of pandemic owing to COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines help our bodies develop immunity against the virus that causes COVID-19 without having to get the illness. Herein, we describe a rare case of a critical disorder, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), in a patient with nephritic sclerosis associated with hypertension, following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. HLH is a life-threatening hyperinflammatory syndrome caused by aberrantly activated macrophages and cytotoxic T cells that may rapidly progress to terminal multiple organ failure. PATIENT CONCERNS An 85-year-old Japanese woman with chronic renal failure and hypertension was included in this study. Routine laboratory investigations provided the following results: white blood cell (WBC) count, 4.6 × 109/L; hemoglobin (Hb), 8.1 g/dL; platelet count, 27 × 109/L; blood urea nitrogen 48.9 mg/dL, and serum creatinine 3.95 mg/dL. The patient developed malaise, vomiting, and persistent high fever (up to 39.7°C) on the 12th day after receiving the second dose of the vaccine. Initial evaluation revealed neutropenia. The total WBC count was 0.40 × 109/L (Neutrophils 0, Lymphocytes 240/μ, blast 0%); Hb 9.0 g/dL, platelet count 27 × 109/L; and, C Reactive Protein 9.64 mg/dL. DIAGNOSIS Further tests showed hyperferritinemia (serum ferritin 2284.4 μg/L). Bone marrow examination revealed haemophagocytosis. A provisional diagnosis of HLH associated with the Comirnaty® vaccination was made based on the HLH-2004 diagnostic criteria. INTERVENTIONS The patient was treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and 500 mg methylprednisolone. OUTCOMES A significant improvement was observed in the patient's condition; the abnormal laboratory results resolved gradually, and the patient was discharged. LESSONS This case serves to create awareness among clinicians that HLH is a rare complication of COVID-19 vaccination and should be considered, especially in patients with a history of chronic renal failure and hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshitaka Shimada
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kitasato University Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Yasushi Nagaba
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kitasato University Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Okawa
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kitasato University Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Kaori Ehara
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kitasato University Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Shinya Okada
- Division of Pathology, Kitasato University Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Yokomori
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kitasato University Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
- * Correspondence: Hiroaki Yokomori, Department of Internal Medicine, Kitasato University Medical Center, Saitama 365-8501, Japan (e-mail: )
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Hoffmann C, Wechselberger T, Drexel H, Dertinger S, Dirnhofer S, Pierson SK, Fajgenbaum DC, Kessler A. Idiopathic Multicentric Castleman Disease Occurring Shortly after mRNA SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1725. [PMID: 36298590 PMCID: PMC9609308 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10101725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic Multicentric Castleman Disease (iMCD) is a potentially life-threatening systemic disease whose complex symptomatology is due to cytokine dysregulation. We, herein, present a case of severe iMCD occurring in a previously healthy young man shortly after mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, responding to interleukin-6 blockade with siltuximab. Six months after the completion of siltuximab, the patient remained without any signs of iMCD or inflammation, indicating a temporal trigger of the disease. This case not only adds to the potential pathogenetic spectrum of MCD, but also extends the clinical picture of potential but rare adverse events following COVID-19 immunization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Hoffmann
- ICH Study Center Hamburg, 20095 Hamburg, Germany
- Campus Kiel, University of Schleswig Holstein, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Thomas Wechselberger
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Hemostaseology, Provincial Hospital Bregenz, 6900 Bregenz, Austria
| | - Heinz Drexel
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Hemostaseology, Provincial Hospital Bregenz, 6900 Bregenz, Austria
- Vorarlberg Institute for Vascular Investigation and Treatment (VIVIT), 68540 Feldkirch, Austria
| | - Susanne Dertinger
- Department of Pathology, Academic Teaching Hospital Feldkirch, 6800 Feldkirch, Austria
| | - Stefan Dirnhofer
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Schoenbeinstr. 40, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sheila K. Pierson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19019, USA
| | - David C. Fajgenbaum
- Department of Medicine, Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19019, USA
| | - Andreas Kessler
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Medicine, Hemostaseology, Provincial Hospital Bregenz, 6900 Bregenz, Austria
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Park HW, Min GJ, Kim TY, Cho SG. A Case of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis following Second Dose of COVID-19 Vaccination. Acta Haematol 2022; 146:65-71. [PMID: 36096118 PMCID: PMC9747738 DOI: 10.1159/000526980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare, severe hyperinflammatory disease characterized by overproduction of cytokines and hemophagocytosis of hematopoietic cells, resulting in multiorgan failure. Prompt treatment initiation is essential for patient survival. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to the rapid development of several vaccines, including BNT162b2 by Pfizer-BioNTech. Few cases of immune-mediated complications of COVID-19 and its vaccines have been reported, characterized by persistent stimulation of the immune system, resembling HLH. We report the case of a 21-year-old man with secondary HLH following a second dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine. The patient did not have primary HLH or other contributors to secondary HLH and met the HLH-2004 diagnostic criteria. He was safely treated with steroid pulse therapy alone, without etoposide, cyclosporin, or immunoglobulins, which are recommended for pediatric patients. Physicians need to be aware of such severe complications following a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
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He Y, Hui Y, Liu H, Wu Y, Sang H, Liu F. Adult-Onset Familial Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Presenting with Annular Erythema following COVID-19 Vaccination. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10091436. [PMID: 36146514 PMCID: PMC9501607 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10091436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare genetic and life-threatening immunodeficiency disease. Here, we present a 38-year-old male who initially developed multiple annular to irregular erythema accompanied by a fever after COVID-19 vaccination. He was diagnosed with HLH with evidence of leukocytopenia in a full blood test, elevations of ferritin and sCD25, decreased NK cell function, and hemophagocytosis of a bone marrow biopsy specimen. A genetic examination revealed two probable disease-causing heterozygous mutations on UNC13D associated with type 3 familial HLH. A review of the case reports relevant to HLH following COVID-19 vaccination and the cutaneous manifestations of HLH with genetic defects suggests the necessity that individuals with preexisting immune dysregulation or diseases not classified should be cautious about COVID-19 vaccination and reminds clinicians that various recalcitrant skin lesions may be a sign of HLH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan He
- Department of Dermatology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210002, China
| | - Yun Hui
- Department of Dermatology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, China
| | - Haibo Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, China
| | - Yifan Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210002, China
| | - Hong Sang
- Department of Dermatology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210002, China
- Department of Dermatology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, China
- Correspondence: (H.S.); (F.L.)
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, China
- Correspondence: (H.S.); (F.L.)
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The First Case of Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Triggered by the Booster Dose of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine in a Patient with β-Thalassemia. THALASSEMIA REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/thalassrep12020009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare and potentially life-threatening systemic hyperinflammatory disease, which can have several aetiologies. Clinical case: a 48-year-old woman affected by a transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia was hospitalized in our haematology unit presenting with intermittent fever, haepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia, which developed a few days after the booster dose of anti-SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine. The investigations performed during hospitalization led to a diagnosis of HLH and steroid therapy where IV dexamethasone was initiated and provided benefits. Conclusions: the severity of HLH mandates early treatment, but the management of patients with post-vaccine HLH is still challenging and requires further study. No cases of HLH in patients with thalassemia were previously described.
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Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Infection 2022; 50:1399-1404. [PMID: 35218512 PMCID: PMC8881936 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-022-01786-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to the approval of novel vaccines with different mechanisms of action. Until now, more than 4.7 billion persons have been vaccinated around the world, and adverse effects not observed in pre-authorization trials are being reported at low frequency. METHODS We report a case of severe hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) after SARS-CoV-2 immunization and performed a literature search for all reported cases of COVID-19 vaccine-associated HLH. RESULTS A 24-year-old female developed HLH after immunization with the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty. Diagnosis was made according to HLH-2004 criteria; the HScore was 259 (> 99% HLH probability) with maximum ferritin of 138.244 µg/L. The patient was initially treated with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIGs) and dexamethasone without response. The addition of the human interleukin 1 receptor antagonist Anakinra resulted in full recovery within 6 weeks after vaccination. A literature search revealed 15 additional cases of HLH after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, the majority after immunization with Comirnaty (n = 7) or the viral vector vaccine Vaxzevria (n = 6). Treatment modalities included corticosteroids (n = 13), Anakinra (n = 5), IVIGs (n = 5), and etoposide (n = 2). Eight patients underwent combination treatment. Three of 16 patients died. CONCLUSION COVID-19 vaccines may occasionally trigger HLH, and Anakinra may be an efficacious treatment option for this condition.
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