Life-threatening COVID-19 presenting as stroke with antiphospholipid antibodies and low ADAMTS-13 activity, and the role of therapeutic plasma exchange: A case series

Generation of potentially inhibitory autoantibodies to ADAMTS13 in coronavirus disease 2019

It has recently been shown that von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimers contribute to immunothrombosis in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Since COVID-19 is associated with an increased risk of autoreactivity, the present study investigates, whether the generation of autoantibodies to ADAMTS13 contributes to this finding. In this observational prospective controlled multicenter study blood samples and clinical data of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 were collected from April to November 2020. The study included 156 individuals with 90 patients having confirmed COVID-19 of mild to critical severity. 30 healthy individuals and 36 critically ill ICU patients without COVID-19 served as controls. ADAMTS13 antibodies occurred in 31 (34.4%) COVID-19 patients. Antibodies occurred more often in critically ill COVID-19 patients (55.9%) than non-COVID-19 ICU patients and healthy controls (5.6% and 6.7%; p < 0.001), respectively. Generation of ADAMTS13 antibodies in COVID-19 was associated with lower ADAMTS13 activity (56.5%, interquartile range (IQR) 21.25 vs. 71.5%, IQR 24.25, p = 0.0041), increased disease severity (severe or critical in 90% vs. 62.3%, p = 0.019), and a trend to higher mortality (35.5% vs. 18.6%, p = 0.077). Median time to antibody development was 11 days after first positive SARS-CoV-2-PCR specimen. Gel analysis of VWF multimers resembled the constellation in patients with TTP. The present study demonstrates for the first time, that generation of ADAMTS13 antibodies is frequent in COVID-19, associated with lower ADAMTS13 activity and increased risk of an adverse disease course. These findings provide a rationale to include ADAMTS13 antibodies in the diagnostic workup of SARS-CoV-2 infections.

COVID-19 and antiphospholipid antibodies

Antiphospholipid syndrome and the coagulopathy of COVID-19 share many pathophysiologic features, including endotheliopathy, hypercoagulability, and activation of platelets, complement pathways, and neutrophil extracellular traps, all acting in concert via a model of immunothrombosis. Antiphospholipid antibody production in COVID-19 is common, with 50% of COVID-19 patients being positive for lupus anticoagulant in some studies, and with non-Sapporo criteria antiphospholipid antibodies being prevalent as well. The biological significance of antiphospholipid antibodies in COVID-19 is uncertain, as such antibodies are usually transient, and studies examining clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients with and without antiphospholipid antibodies have yielded conflicting results. In this review, we explore the biology of antiphospholipid antibodies in COVID-19 and other infections and discuss mechanisms of thrombogenesis in antiphospholipid syndrome and parallels with COVID-19 coagulopathy. In addition, we review the existing literature on safety of COVID-19 vaccination in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies and antiphospholipid syndrome.

Role of Therapeutic Plasmapheresis in SARS-CoV-2 Induced Cytokine Release Syndrome: A Retrospective Cohort Study on COVID-19 Patients

Background

Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) significantly contributes to the pathophysiology and progression of COVID-19. It is speculated that therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) can dampen CRS via elimination of pathogenic cytokines.

Objectives

The study is intended to compare the outcomes of COVID-19 patients with CRS treated with TPE and standard care (SC) to their counterparts receiving SC alone.

Methodology

A retrospective cohort study of severe COVID-19 confirmed patients presenting with CRS and admitted to the medical ICU was conducted between March and August 2021. Using case-control (CC) matching 1:1, 162 patients were selected and divided into two equal groups. The primary outcome was 28-day in-hospital survival analysis in severe COVID-19 patients with CRS. However, secondary outcomes included the effect of plasmapheresis on inflammatory markers, the need for mechanical ventilation, the rate of extubation, and the duration of survival.

Results

After CC matching, the study cohort had a mean age of 55.41 (range 56.41±11.56 in TP+SC and 54.42±8.94 in SC alone; p=0.22). There were 25.95% males and 74.05% females in both groups. The mean time from first day of illness to hospitalization was 6.53±2.18 days. The majority of patients with CRS had comorbid conditions (75.9%). Diabetes mellitus was the most common comorbidity (40.1%), followed by hypertension (25.3%), and chronic kidney disease (21%). Notable reduction in some inflammatory markers (D-dimers, LDH, CRP and serum ferritin) (p<0.0001) was observed in the group that received TPE+SC. Moreover, the patients in the plasmapheresis plus standard care group required relatively less mechanical ventilation as compared to the group receiving SC alone (46.9% vs 58.1%, respectively; p>0.05). The rate of extubation in the TP+SC group vs SC alone was 60.5% vs 44.7%, respectively (p>0.05). Similarly, the mortality percentages in both groups were 19.8% and 24.7%, respectively.

Conclusion

For this particular group of matched patients with COVID-19-induced CRS, TPE+SC was linked with relatively better overall survival, early extubation, and earlier discharge compared to SC alone. As these results were not statistically significant, multi-centered randomized control trials are needed to further elaborate the role of therapeutic plasmapheresis in COVID-19 induced CRS.

Non-pharmacological treatments for COVID-19: current status and consensus

Purpose

COVID-19 is a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus type 2 of the severe acute respiratory syndrome), isolated in China, in December 2019. The strategy currently used by physicians is to control disease and to treat symptoms, including non-pharmacological treatments, as there is still no specific treatment for COVID-19. Thus, the aim of this article is to carry out a systematic review about non-pharmacological treatments used for COVID-19, addressing current status and consensus found in the literature.

Methods

Three databases were consulted for evidence referring to the drugs indicated for COVID-19 (Cochrane Central, MEDLINE and Embase). The following terms and combinations were used: ((“2019-nCoV” OR 2019nCoV OR nCoV2019 OR “nCoV-2019” OR “COVID-19” OR COVID19 OR “HCoV-19” OR HCoV19 OR CoV OR “2019 novel*” OR Ncov OR “n-cov” OR “SARS-CoV-2” OR “SARSCoV-2” OR “SARSCoV2” OR “SARSCoV2” OR SARSCov19 OR “SARS-Cov19” OR “SARS-Cov-19”) OR “severe acute respiratory syndrome*” OR ((corona* OR corono*) AND (virus* OR viral* OR virinae*)) AND ((“lung injury”) OR (“ventilation use”) OR (“respiratory injuries” OR prone)) AND (treatment)) NOT Drugs NOT medicines NOT antivirals.

Results

A total of 28 articles were selected. These articles adopted one or more treatment methods for patients with severe cases of COVID-19, i.e., oxygen therapy, prone position, inhaled nitric oxide, intravenous infusion, passive immunotherapy, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC).

Conclusion

There is still no specific treatment approved for patients with COVID-19. The available evidence is not able yet to indicate the benefits or harms of non-pharmacological treatments, but some studies show that some treatments can play an important role in relation to COVID-19. The current consensus among researchers is that several studies using a randomized clinical trial should be carried out to provide evidence of safety and efficacy of the proposed treatments.

At the Root of 3 “Long” Diseases: Persistent Antigens Inflicting Chronic Damage on the Brain and Other Organs in Gulf War Illness, Long-COVID-19, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Several foreign antigens such as those derived from viruses and bacteria have been linked to long-term deleterious effects on the brain and other organs; yet, health outcomes subsequent to foreign antigen exposure vary depending in large part on the host’s immune system, in general, and on human leukocyte antigen (HLA) composition, in particular. Here we first provide a brief description of 3 conditions characterized by persistent long-term symptoms, namely long-COVID-19, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and Gulf War Illness (GWI), followed by a brief overview of the role of HLA in the immune response to foreign antigens. We then discuss our Persistent Antigen (PA) hypothesis and highlight associations between antigen persistence due to HLA-antigen incongruence and chronic health conditions in general and the 3 “long” diseases above in particular. This review is not intended to cover the breadth and depth of symptomatology of those diseases but is specifically focused on the hypothesis that the presence of persistent antigens underlies their pathogenesis.

Exploring the pathways of inflammation and coagulopathy in COVID-19: A narrative tour into a viral rabbit hole

Worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has taken a huge toll of morbidity and mortality. In selected patients, classified as severe, the overwhelming inflammatory state imposed by this infection is accompanied by a hypercoagulable state, hallmarked by a unique pattern; a marked increase in D-dimer, out of proportion to other markers of coagulopathy. In this review, we turn a spotlight to this phenomenon, offering a unified conceptual model depicting the leading hypotheses of coagulopathy in COVID-19. The key players of the coagulation cascades accompanying the COVID-19 inflammation malfunction on virtually every level; tissue factor expression is amplified, physiological anti-coagulant pathways (anti-thrombin, protein C and S, and the inhibitor of the tissue factor pathway) are impaired and fibrinolysis is inhibited. Components of autoimmunity, the complement system amongst others, further contribute to the pathology. As data continue to gather, our model offers a pathophysiological overview of COVID-19 coagulopathy, defined by the resultant histopathology: either intra-vascular or extra-vascular. We hope this review will facilitate understanding and serve as a lead point to future therapeutic directives.

Systematic Review of Antiphospholipid Antibodies in COVID-19 Patients: Culprits or Bystanders?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

COVID-19 patients have a procoagulant state with a high prevalence of thrombotic events. The hypothesis of an involvement of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) has been suggested by several reports. Here, we reviewed 48 studies investigating aPL in COVID-19 patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

Prevalence of Lupus Anticoagulant (LA) ranged from 35% to 92% in ICU patients. Anti-cardiolipin (aCL) IgG and IgM were found in up to 52% and up to 40% of patients respectively. Anti-β2-glycoprotein I (aβ2-GPI) IgG and IgM were found in up to 39% and up to 34% of patients respectively. Between 1% and 12% of patients had a triple positive aPL profile. There was a high prevalence of aβ2-GPI and aCL IgA isotype. Two cohort studies found few persistent LA but more persistent solid phase assay aPL over time. aPL determination and their potential role is a real challenge for the treatment of this disease.

Ischemic Stroke: An Underestimated Complication of COVID-19

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly as a pandemic around the world. In addition to severe acute respiratory syndrome, more and more studies have focused on the complication of COVID-19, especially ischemic stroke. Here, we propose several pathophysiological processes and possible mechanisms underlying ischemic stroke after COVID-19 for early prevention and better treatment of COVID-19-related stroke.

Increased VWF and Decreased ADAMTS-13 in COVID-19: Creating a Milieu for (Micro)Thrombosis

von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a large adhesive multimeric protein involved in hemostasis. The larger the size (or number of VWF multimers), the greater the functionality of the protein. A deficiency or defect of VWF can lead to von Willebrand disease (VWD) and cause bleeding. Conversely, an increase in VWF may create an environment that promotes thrombosis. ADAMS-13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13), sometimes called VWF-cleaving protease, is primarily responsible for controlling the size of VWF. The most severe deficiency (<10% of normal levels) of ADAMTS-13 arises in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, a condition characterized by the presence of ultralarge VWF and clinically resulting in enhanced risk of thrombosis. However, ADAMTS-13 deficiency may result from other pathological processes. Of relevance is the recent finding that COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is associated with both increased levels and activity of VWF as well as generally decreased (or occasionally normal) activity levels of ADAMTS-13. Thus, in COVID-19 there is an alteration in the VWF/ADAMTS-13 axis, most often described by increased VWF/ADAMTS-13 ratio (or reduced ADAMTS-13/VWF ratio). COVID-19 is also associated with high prothrombotic risk. Thus, the imbalance of VWF and ADAMTS-13 in COVID-19 may be providing a milieu that promotes (micro)thrombosis, in a clinical picture resembling a secondary thrombotic microangiopathy in some patients. This review therefore assesses the literature on VWF, ADAMTS-13, and COVID-19. Whenever reported in COVID-19, VWF has always been identified as raised (compared with normal reference ranges or control populations). Reports have included VWF level (i.e., VWF antigen) and in some cases one or more VWF "activity" (e.g., collagen binding; platelet glycoprotein Ib [GPIb] binding, using ristocetin cofactor or more modern versions including VWF:GPIbR [recombinant] and VWF:GPIbM [mutant]). Whenever reported, ADAMTS-13 has been reported as "normal" or reduced; however, it should be recognized that "normal" levels may still identify a relative reduction in individual cases. Some reports also discuss the raised VWF/ADAMTS-13 (or reduced ADAMTS-13/VWF) ratio, but very few provide actual numerical data.

Beta-2-Glycoprotein-I Deficiency Could Precipitate an Antiphospholipid Syndrome-like Prothrombotic Situation in Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019

Objective

Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) present coagulation abnormalities and thromboembolic events that resemble antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). This work has aimed to study the prevalence of APS‐related antigens, antibodies, and immune complexes in patients with COVID‐19 and their association with clinical events.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted on 474 adults with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection hospitalized in two Spanish university hospitals. Patients were evaluated for classic and extra‐criteria antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs), immunoglobulin G (IgG)/immunoglobulin M (IgM) anticardiolipin, IgG/IgM/immunoglobulin A (IgA) anti‐β2‐glicoprotein‐I (aβ2GPI), IgG/IgM antiphosphatidylserine/prothrombin (aPS/PT), the immune complex of IgA aβ2GPI (IgA‐aβ2GPI), bounded to β2‐glicoprotein‐1 (β2GPI) and β2GPI levels soon after COVID‐19 diagnosis and were followed‐up until medical discharge or death.

Results

Prevalence of aPLs in patients with COVID‐19 was as follows: classic aPLs, 5.8%; aPS/PT, 4.6%; IgA‐aβ2GPI, 15%; and any aPL, 21%. When patients were compared with individuals of a control group of a similar age, the only significant difference found was the higher prevalence of IgA‐aβ2GPI (odds ratio: 2.31; 95% confidence interval: 1.16‐4.09). No significant differences were observed in survival, thrombosis, or ventilatory failure in aPL‐positive versus aPL‐negative patients. β2GPI median levels were much lower in patients with COVID‐19 (15.9 mg/l) than in blood donors (168.8 mg/l; P < 0.001). Only 3.5% of patients with COVID‐19 had normal levels of β2GPI (>85 mg/l). Low levels of β2GPI were significantly associated with ventilatory failure (P = 0.026).

Conclusion

β2GPI levels were much lower in patients with COVID‐19 than in healthy people. Low β2GPI‐levels were associated with ventilatory failure. No differences were observed in the COVID‐19 evolution between aPL‐positive and aPL‐negative patients. Functional β2GPI deficiency could trigger a clinical process similar to that seen in APS but in the absence of aPLs.

A Retrospective Analysis of Thromboembolic Phenomena in Mechanically Ventilated Patients with COVID-19

Background

Recent studies have shown an increased prevalence of thromboembolic disease in critically ill patients with the novel SARS-CoV-2 disease (COVID-19). However, the use of enhanced anticoagulation therapy in these patients remains controversial.

Objectives

To determine the incidence of thromboembolic phenomena (TEP) and hemorrhagic events (HEs) in intensive care unit (ICU) COVID-19 patients.

Methods

One hundred and sixty ICU patients with COVID-19 were enrolled. Clinical examination results, laboratory data, and imaging studies (computed tomography/Doppler ultrasound scans) for these patients were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Outcome measures including days on mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, and day-28 mortality were recorded.

Results

Sixty patients (37.5%) developed TEP including thirty patients with deep vein thrombosis, 55 patients with pulmonary embolism, and 7 patients with arterial thromboembolism. Cardiac arrhythmias, lymphocytopenia, and increased D-dimers were more frequently observed in the TEP group compared to the non-TEP group of patients (all p < 0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of a cutoff D-dimer level of 3.0 μg/mL for predicting PE were 74.5%, 95.1%, 86.8%, and 91.9%, respectively. Thirteen patients experienced HEs, which were more frequently observed in the TEP group (p < 0.05). Twenty-eight-day mortality was higher in the TEP group (60%) compared to the non-TEP group (30%) of patients (p=0.02).

Conclusions

The rates of TEP and HEs in mechanically ventilated critically ill COVID-19 patients were 37. 5% and 8.1%. Twenty-eight-day mortality was higher in the TEP group (60%) compared to the non-TEP group (30%) of patients.

Plasma exchange in the treatment of complex COVID-19-related critical illness: controversies and perspectives

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), emerged in Wuhan, China, and has spread worldwide, resulting in over 73 million cases and more than 1 600 000 deaths as of December 2020. Although the disease is asymptomatic in most cases, some patients develop life-threatening disease characterised by acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, multisystem organ failure (MSOF), extrapulmonary manifestations, thromboembolic disease and associated cytokine release syndrome. The rationale for applying therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) early in the course of fulminant COVID-19 is the suppression of thromboinflammation and amelioration of microangiopathy, thus preventing the ensuing MSOF. In the course of complicated critical illness due to COVID-19, immune dysregulation may be as important as viral replication itself. Moreover, the natural course of SARS-CoV-2 infection remains obscure, as re-infections and/or recurrently positive real-time PCR results have been reported. Although concerns still exist regarding its potential immunosuppressive effects and safety, TPE shows promise in the management of life-threatening COVID-19 as documented by various pilot studies, which remain to be confirmed by future randomised controlled trials. However, current data suggest that TPE could be an adjunctive rescue therapy in complex COVID-19 critical illness.