Is the heparin-induced thrombocytopenia-like syndrome associated with ChAdOx vaccine related to the vaccine itself or to an autoimmune reaction to severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 coronavirus: insights and implications from previous reports in infected cases?

A AbdelMassih; R Hozaien; M El Shershaby; A Kamel; H-A Ismail; R Fouda

doi:10.1016/j.nmni.2021.100884

Is the heparin-induced thrombocytopenia-like syndrome associated with ChAdOx vaccine related to the vaccine itself or to an autoimmune reaction to severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 coronavirus: insights and implications from previous reports in infected cases?

New Microbes New Infect. 2021 May:41:100884. doi: 10.1016/j.nmni.2021.100884. Epub 2021 Apr 23.

Authors

A AbdelMassih^{1

2}, R Hozaien³, M El Shershaby³, A Kamel³, H-A Ismail³, R Fouda⁴

Affiliations

¹ Paediatric Cardiology Unit, Paediatrics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
² Paediatric Cardio-Oncology Department, Children Cancer Hospital of Egypt, Cairo, Egypt.
³ Research Accessibility Team, Student and Internship Research Programme, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
⁴ Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.

Abstract

Prothrombotic states, similar to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) in recipients of the ChAdOx vaccine, sounded alarm bells internationally. Equivalent episodes of HIT were detailed in several case reports of coronavirus disease 2019. This suggests a common pathogenesis and warrants a shift in the management of implicated cases.

Keywords: Adenovirus mediated vaccines; COVID-19; ChAdOx vaccine; PF4 antibodies; avoidance of heparin related anticoagulants; thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Publication types

Editorial