Severe immune thrombocytopenic purpura after SARS-CoV-2 vaccine

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a rare hematologic condition through to affect 3.3 in 100,000 adults per year in the United States. Many cases of immune thrombocytopenia are diagnosed incidentally with laboratory tests that reveal low platelet count, without a clear cause. However, when platelet counts are very low, patients may show signs of bleeding. Here we present the case of a 24-year-old female with mucocutaneous bleeding ten days after receiving her first dose of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, who was subsequently found to have severe thrombocytopenia. Extensive work up for new thrombocytopenia was unremarkable suggesting a diagnosis of ITP, potentially secondary to vaccination. Empiric treatment with glucocorticoids was initiated without response prompting the use of intravenous immunoglobulin G. The patient was discharged on hospital day five with a platelet count over 20,000 platelets per microliter. In summary, ITP is a potential sequela of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, and otherwise healthy young individuals may be at risk for hematologic side effects.

Erythema multiforme-like rash as a manifestation of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare and serious manifestation of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) infection. Skin lesions occur in more than half the cases of MIS-C. We report a 57-dayold female baby who presented with features of MIS-C with skin lesions suggestive of erythema multiforme. Her condition improved rapidly with systemic steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin G.

USE OF INTRAVENOUS IMMUNOGLOBULIN G IN COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT OF COVID-19 SEVERE PATIENTS. SERIES OF CLINICAL CASES

Introduction. The incidence of COVID-19 continues to rise rapidly worldwide, leading to significant socio-economic damage to health and economic systems.Objective. To determine the effectiveness of intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) in combination with a basic therapy in severe COVID-19.Materials and methods. A retrospective cohort study of 8 case histories of patients with severe COVID-19 for the period from 27.08.2020 to 20.03.2021 was conducted in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the infectious diseases department of the Municipal Non-Profit Enterprise «Kyiv City Clinical Hospital №17» (MNE KCCH №17).Results and discussions. During the period from 27.08.20 to 20.03.21 in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the infectious department of the Municipal Non-Profit Enterprise «Kyiv City Clinical Hospital №17» (MNE KCCH №17) there were 163 patients, of whom 79 died and the mortality rate was 48.4%. The mean age of patients was 63.5 ± 12.9 years (19 to 95 years). The mean age of death was 66.9 ± 9.9 years (40 to 87 years).During the study period, 8 patients received IVIG (5%) together with a basic therapy. The mean age of patients was 51.4 ± 14.7 years (from 29 to 69 years). Mortality among patients receiving IVIG was 37.5%.Conclusions. Mortality of patients who received IVIG in addition to a basic therapy was significantly lower compared to patients who received only basic therapy, 37.5% and 48.4%, respectively.

Intravenous immunoglobulin G in the treatment of ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn during the early neonatal period at a tertiary academic hospital: a retrospective study

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) in infants with ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN). Methods Infants with moderate-to-severe ABO HDN during early neonatal period (<7 days) at our hospital in 2017 were included in this retrospective study. Patients treated with IVIG and phototherapy were classified as the IVIG group, and those who only received phototherapy were classified as the phototherapy only group. Results Forty-six patients were classified into the IVIG group and 68 other patients were classified into the phototherapy only group. There was no significant difference in duration of phototherapy, hospitalization periods, needs for exchange transfusion, transfusions, and incidence of bilirubin-induced neurological sequelae between these two groups (P = 0.20, 0.27, 0.65, 0.47, 0.78, respectively). Conclusion It seems unnecessary to expose neonates to IVIG in moderate-to-severe ABO HDN when the available data show no appreciable benefits.

Should Intravenous Immunoglobulin G (IVIg) be used in the treatment of COVID-19?

KEY FINDINGS There is conflicting evidence on the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobin G in the treatment of COVID-19 patients with severe disease. Intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIg) is a mixture of polyclonal immunoglobulin G (IgG3, IgG4) antibodies as well as variable amounts of proteins; IgA, IgE and IgM antibodies isolated and pooled from healthy donors. IgG is involved in viral neutralization, modulates anti-inflammatory cytokines and cytokine antagonists. Immediate adverse effects of IVIg include flu-like syndrome, dermatologic side effects, arrhythmia, hypotension, and transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI). Delayed adverse effects can involve any organ which could be severe or even lethal There was a retrospective study (Yun Xie 2020) and several case reports that described recovery of COVID positive patients with severe disease. However, a retrospective study showed that immunoglobulin G with steroids and antivirals did not improve COVID patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (Liu Y 2020). Similarly, another study showed no significant difference in the 28- and 60-day mortality between the IVIg and non-IVIg groups but subgroup analyses reported that in those with critical COVID illness, 28 day mortality is decreased with IVIg (Shao Z). There are eight registered clinical trials on the use of intravenous immunoglobulin G in COVID-19 patients.