Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia after ChAdOx1 nCov-19 Vaccination

Background Several cases of unusual thrombotic events and thrombocytopenia have developed after vaccination with the recombinant adenoviral vector encoding the spike protein antigen of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (ChAdOx1 nCov-19, AstraZeneca). More data were needed on the pathogenesis of this unusual clotting disorder. Methods We assessed the clinical and laboratory features of 11 patients in Germany and Austria in whom thrombosis or thrombocytopenia had developed after vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCov-19. We used a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect platelet factor 4 (PF4)-heparin antibodies and a modified (PF4-enhanced) platelet-activation test to detect platelet-activating antibodies under various reaction conditions. Included in this testing were samples from patients who had blood samples referred for investigation of vaccine-associated thrombotic events, with 28 testing positive on a screening PF4-heparin immunoassay. Results Of the 11 original patients, 9 were women, with a median age of 36 years (range, 22 to 49). Beginning 5 to 16 days after vaccination, the patients presented with one or more thrombotic events, with the exception of 1 patient, who presented with fatal intracranial hemorrhage. Of the patients with one or more thrombotic events, 9 had cerebral venous thrombosis, 3 had splanchnic-vein thrombosis, 3 had pulmonary embolism, and 4 had other thromboses; of these patients, 6 died. Five patients had disseminated intravascular coagulation. None of the patients had received heparin before symptom onset. All 28 patients who tested positive for antibodies against PF4-heparin tested positive on the platelet-activation assay in the presence of PF4 independent of heparin. Platelet activation was inhibited by high levels of heparin, Fc receptor-blocking monoclonal antibody, and immune globulin (10 mg per milliliter). Additional studies with PF4 or PF4-heparin affinity purified antibodies in 2 patients confirmed PF4-dependent platelet activation. Conclusions Vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCov-19 can result in the rare development of immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia mediated by platelet-activating antibodies against PF4, which clinically mimics autoimmune heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. (Funded by the German Research Foundation.) Thrombosis after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccination In this case series, investigators report a very rare but life-threatening sequela of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination. Beginning 5 to 16 days after a first injection, some patients had symptoms consistent with thrombocytopenia, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and thromboses, including cerebral venous sinus thrombosis with catastrophic outcome. An anti-PF4 antibody capable of platelet activation appears to be the cause. Intravenous immune globulin may be therapeutic.

Automated summary

After vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCov-19, rare immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia can occur due to platelet-activating antibodies against PF4, resulting in various thrombotic events. Most patients in this case series were women, with fatal outcomes such as cerebral venous thrombosis and intracranial hemorrhage. Additional studies are needed to further investigate and understand this phenomenon.