ABSTRACT
Vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a well-known complication of adenoviral vector COVID-19 vaccines including ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AstraZeneca) and Ad26. COV2.S (Janssen, Johnson & Johnson). To date, only a few cases of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine such as mRNA-1273 (Moderna) or BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech)-induced VITT have been reported. We report a case of VITT with acute cerebral venous thrombosis and hemorrhage after a booster of mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccine in a patient previously vaccinated with two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. A 42-year-old woman presented with sudden onset of weakness of the right upper limb with focal seizure. She had received two doses of AstraZeneca vaccines and a booster with Moderna vaccine 32 days before presentation. She had also undergone a laparoscopic myomectomy 12 days previously. Laboratory examinations revealed anemia (9.5 g/dl), thrombocytopenia (31 × 103/μl), and markedly elevated d-dimer (>20.0 mg/L;reference value < 0.5 mg/L). The initial brain computed tomography (CT) was normal, but a repeated scan 10 h later revealed hemorrhage at the left cerebrum. Before the results of the blood smear were received, on suspicion of thrombotic microangiopathy with thrombocytopenia and thrombosis, plasmapheresis and pulse steroid therapy were initiated, followed by intravenous immunoglobulin (1 g/kg/day for two consecutive days) due to refractory thrombocytopenia. VITT was confirmed by positive anti-PF4 antibody and both heparin-induced and PF4-induced platelet activation testing. Clinicians should be aware that mRNA-1273 Moderna, an mRNA-based vaccine, may be associated with VITT with catastrophic complications. Additionally, prior exposure to the AstraZeneca vaccine and surgical procedure could also have precipitated or aggravated autoimmune heparin-induced thrombocytopenia/VITT-like presentation.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a rare but fatal complication observed within 2 weeks of adenovirus-vectored vaccination. Case Report: A 52-year-old male patient, with a family history of autoimmune diseases, presented with a new onset of worsening headache with nausea and vomiting post-vaccination. The patient was diagnosed with VITT based on laboratory findings demonstrating thrombocytopenia, elevated D-dimer, and dural sinus thrombosis identified on neuroimaging. The patient was successfully treated with high-dose immunoglobulin, steroids, and non-heparin anticoagulants, without any neurologic sequelae. Finally, a confirmatory test with anti-platelet factor 4 antibody was strongly positive. Conclusion: Physicians should be vigilant when treating patients presenting with new-onset thunderclap headache, progressive worsening headache, and awakening headache accompanied by nausea or vomiting after vaccination, even if no definite clinical neurological deficits are identified. Emergency laboratory test results for demonstrating elevated D-dimer levels, decreased platelet count, and neuroimaging correlation are integral for diagnosis and must be the standard protocol. Treatment with non-heparin anticoagulants, high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin, and steroids that halt or slow the immune-mediated prothrombotic process should be initiated immediately. Considering the high mortality rate of VITT, treatment should be initiated prior to confirmatory test results.