Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination: A case report
Authors' conclusion
This emblematic report brings a rare complication of APS in association with immunization using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, presenting clinical features that resemble those described in other CAPS cases documented in the CAPS Registry. Additional reports of immune-mediated diseases induced by vaccine platforms have also been described, suggesting pathophysiological mechanisms that remain incompletely understood, particularly molecular mimicry. Immunization against COVID-19 and other pathogens should not, however, be discouraged, as vaccines continue to play a fundamental role in preventing potentially severe infectious diseases. Instead, scientific research should be encouraged in order to better understand which individuals are more predisposed to such a severe complication.
Study context
- Population
- A single 40-year-old patient admitted to a Brazilian university hospital with dysarthria, gross hematuria, signs of pulmonary embolism and a large intracavitary cardiac thrombus, ≈48 hours after the second dose of the Pfizer® mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2)a single patient
- Outcome
- Laboratory and clinical response to treatment (anticoagulation, corticosteroids, low-dose aspirin, hydroxychloroquine)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Laboratory improvement - restoration of renal function and increased platelet count - as well as clinical improvement, with resolution of neurological deficits
Further findings
Follow-up APS-related serologies
- Persistent triple positivity for APS-related serologies
Original publication
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