Severe Thrombocytopenia, Thrombosis and Anti-PF4 Antibody after Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Booster-Is It Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia?

Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a serious and life-threatening complication occurring after adenovirus-vector COVID-19 vaccines, and is rarely reported after other vaccine types. Herein, we report a case of possible VITT after the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine booster, who presented with extensive lower limb deep vein thrombosis, severe thrombocytopenia, markedly elevated D-dimer and positive anti-PF4 antibody occurring 2 weeks post-vaccination, concurrent with a lupus anticoagulant. A complete recovery was made after intravenous immunoglobulin, prednisolone and anticoagulation with the oral direct Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban. The presenting features of VITT may overlap with those of antiphospholipid syndrome associated with anti-PF4 and immune thrombocytopenia. We discuss the diagnostic considerations in VITT and highlight the challenges of performing VITT confirmatory assays in non-specialized settings. The set of five diagnostic criteria for VITT is a useful tool for guiding initial management, but may potentially include patients without VITT. The bleeding risks of severe thrombocytopenia in the face of thrombosis, requiring anticoagulant therapy, present a clinical challenge, but early recognition and management can potentially lead to favorable outcomes.

[Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia: novel insights on anti-platelet factor 4 antibodies].

The levels of anti-platelet factor 4 (PF4) antibodies, also known as anti-PF4 or heparin complex antibodies, are used to diagnose heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). In HIT, anti-PF4 antibodies induced by heparin exposure cause thrombocytopenia and thrombosis. However, anti-PF4 antibodies were recently reported to be associated with the development of fatal vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) after adenoviral vector vaccination for coronavirus disease 2019. HIT and VITT are caused by anti-PF4 antibodies and have similar pathological conditions. However, the severity of these conditions differs and the detection sensitivity of their antibodies varies depending on the assays used. Herein, we review HIT and VITT associated with anti-PF4 antibodies.

[Novel disease entities due to antiplatelet factor 4 antibodies: HIT, aHIT, and VITT].

Antiplatelet factor 4 (PF4) antibodies, also known as anti-PF4/heparin complex antibodies, are measured to diagnose heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). In HIT, anti-PF4 antibodies induced by heparin exposure cause thrombocytopenia and thrombosis. However, in recent years, autoimmune HIT (aHIT) that develops without heparin exposure has been getting attention. In 2021, anti-PF4 antibodies were reported to cause the fatal vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) that developed after adenoviral vector vaccination for COVID-19. HIT, aHIT, and VITT are considered to be caused by anti-PF4 antibodies, and their pathological conditions are similar. However, they have different levels of severity, and the detection sensitivity of their antibodies varies depending on the assay. Herein, we review three pathologies, namely, HIT, aHIT, and VITT, associated with anti-PF4 antibodies.

Relationship between blood clots and COVID-19 vaccines: A literature review.

SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is one of the most critical pandemics during human civilization. Several therapeutic strategies for COVID-19 management have been offered; nonetheless, none of them seems to be sufficiently beneficial. In effect, vaccines have been proffered as a viable option. The critical issue now is to concentrate on protecting individuals against illness through immunization. One of the causes for concern among the researchers, physicians, and generally the whole community from the onset of vaccination has been the adverse effects (specifically blood clots) that may be observed after the injection of the COVID-19 vaccine. In some countries, such concerns have even resulted in the temporary or permanent discontinuation or abandonment of the application of some vaccines (especially AstraZeneca and Janssen). By evaluating rigorous studies published on this subject, the present article is aimed at identifying the association between blood clot incidence and COVID-19 vaccination. Various methods for producing the COVID-19 vaccines are analyzed, along with their possible pros and cons as well as common and rare side effects, especially VITT and blood clots. Finally, the differences of various vaccines on thrombotic events, WHO recommendations for VITT treatment, and blood clots statics are discussed.