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Ueda Y, Sakai T, Yamada K, Arita K, Ishige Y, Hoshi D, Yanagisawa H, Iwao-Kawanami H, Kawanami T, Mizuta S, Fukushima T, Yamada S, Yachie A, Masaki Y. Fatal hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis with intravascular large B-cell lymphoma following coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus: an intertwined case. Immunol Med 2024:1-8. [PMID: 38619098 DOI: 10.1080/25785826.2024.2338594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) has been recognized as a rare adverse event following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. We report a case of neuropsychiatric symptoms and refractory HLH in a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) after receiving her COVID-19 vaccine treated with belimumab, later found to have intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) at autopsy. A 61-year-old woman with SLE was referred to our hospital because of impaired consciousness and fever. One month prior to consulting, she received her second COVID-19 vaccine dose. Afterward, her consciousness level decreased, and she developed a high fever. She tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. Neuropsychiatric SLE was suspected; therefore, glucocorticoid pulse therapy was initiated on day 1 and 8. She had thrombocytopenia, increased serum ferritin levels and hemophagocytosis. The patient was diagnosed with HLH and treated with etoposide, dexamethasone and cyclosporine. Despite treatment, the patient died on day 75; autopsy report findings suggested IVLBCL as the underlying cause of HLH. Differentiating comorbid conditions remains difficult; however, in the case of an atypical clinical presentation, other causes should be considered. Therefore, we speculate that the COVID-19 vaccination and her autoimmune condition may have expedited IVLBCL development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Ueda
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Sakai
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Japan
| | - Kazunori Yamada
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Japan
- Department of Medical Education, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Japan
| | - Kotaro Arita
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Japan
| | - Yoko Ishige
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Japan
| | - Daisuke Hoshi
- Department of Oncologic Pathology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Japan
| | - Hiroto Yanagisawa
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Japan
| | - Haruka Iwao-Kawanami
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Japan
| | - Takafumi Kawanami
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Japan
| | - Shuichi Mizuta
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Fukushima
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Japan
| | - Sohsuke Yamada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Japan
| | - Akihiro Yachie
- Division of Medical Safety, Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Yasufumi Masaki
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Japan
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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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Eichenauer DA, La Rosée P. [Treatment of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in patients in the intensive care unit]. INNERE MEDIZIN (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 64:955-960. [PMID: 37702780 DOI: 10.1007/s00108-023-01584-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a hyperinflammatory syndrome characterized by hyperferritinemia. A differentiation is made between hereditary and acquired forms. In contrast to children, almost all cases in adult patients consist of acquired secondary HLH. Infections, malignancies and autoimmune diseases are frequent triggers of secondary HLH. More recently, cases of HLH have also been described in association with immunotherapy, e.g., when using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T‑cell treatment. In critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), sepsis represents the major differential diagnosis of HLH due to the frequently similar clinical presentation. Sometimes both sepsis and HLH are present at the same time. An early diagnosis and timely initiation of immunosuppressive treatment are essential for the further course and prognosis of HLH. Therefore, HLH should be considered as a possible diagnosis in critically ill patients with persistent fever and additional compatible symptoms (e.g., splenomegaly, neurological symptoms) or laboratory parameters (e.g., hyperferritinemia, cytopenia of two or three cell lines, increased transaminases). The diagnosis of HLH is made on the basis of the HLH-2004 criteria. The HScore can be used to estimate the probability of the presence of HLH. Corticosteroids given at high doses are the cornerstone of HLH treatment. Furthermore, immunoglobulins, etoposide, anakinra or ruxolitinib can complement treatment depending on the HLH trigger. The course of HLH depends on the timely initiation of treatment, the underlying trigger and the response to treatment. Despite progress in terms of diagnostics and targeted treatment, the prognosis of critically ill HLH patients is still poor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis A Eichenauer
- Klinik I für Innere Medizin, Zentrum für Integrierte Onkologie Aachen Bonn Köln Düsseldorf, Uniklinik Köln, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Köln, Deutschland.
| | - Paul La Rosée
- Klinik für Innere Medizin, Schwarzwald-Baar Klinikum, Villingen-Schwenningen, Deutschland
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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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Saade EA, Hojat LS, Gundelly P, Salata RA. Prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in patients with benign and malignant blood disorders. Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2022; 35:101375. [PMID: 36494144 PMCID: PMC9398935 DOI: 10.1016/j.beha.2022.101375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Patients with moderate to severe immunosuppression, a condition that is common in many hematologic diseases because of the pathology itself or its treatment, are at high risk for COVID-19 and its complications. While empirical data are sometimes conflicting, this heightened risk has been confirmed in multiple well-done studies for patients with hematologic malignancies, particularly those with B-cell lymphoid malignancies who received lymphocytotoxic therapies, those with a history of recent hematopoietic stem cell transplant and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, and, to a lesser degree, those with hemoglobinopathies. Patients with immunosuppression need to have a lower threshold for avoiding indoor public spaces where they are unable to effectively keep a safe distance from others, and wear a high-quality well-fitting mask, especially when community levels are not low. They should receive an enhanced initial vaccine regimen and additional boosting. Therapeutic options are available and immunosuppressed patients are prioritized per the NIH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elie A. Saade
- Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA,Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA,Corresponding author. Division of Infectious Diseases & HIV Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue – Mailstop Fol. 5083, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Leila S. Hojat
- Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA,Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Praveen Gundelly
- Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA,Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Robert A. Salata
- Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA,Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
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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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Methylprednisolone/prednisone/tozinameran. REACTIONS WEEKLY 2022. [PMCID: PMC9136811 DOI: 10.1007/s40278-022-16074-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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