Open AccessHematologic Autoimmune Manifestation Secondary to Coronavirus Disease 19 Infection – A Single-Center Experience
Author(s) -
Сања Трајкова,
Simona Stojanovska,
Nevenka Ridova,
Svetlana Krstevska-Balkanov,
Aleksandra Pivkova-Veljanovska,
Lidija Čevreska,
Marija Popova-Labacevska,
Irina Panovska-Stavridis
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
open access macedonian journal of medical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.288
H-Index - 17
ISSN - 1857-9655
DOI - 10.3889/oamjms.2021.6766
Subject(s) - medicine , autoimmune hemolytic anemia , immunology , thrombocytopenic purpura , hematology , autoimmune thrombocytopenia , autoimmune disease , retrospective cohort study , thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura , disease , anemia , immune system , platelet
Since December 2019, multiple human cases of novel coronavirus infection were reported, representing with upper respiratory symptoms (influenza-like presentation). The virus was named the Severe acute respiratory system coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2). Studies have reported cases of patients with COVID-19 infection, including development of several autoimmune events that suggests that infection with SARS CoV-2 may be associated with initiation of autoimmune hematological autoimmune disorders.
Aim: Review the hematological autoimmune phenomenon after infection with SARS-COV-2 in order to assist into the pathogenic mechanisms, clinical manifestations and treatment of this group of patients.
Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study that includes 21 patients with autoimmune diseases like secondary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), autoimmune hemolytic anemia( AIHA) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) that have emerged after COVID-19 infection. The patients were diagnosed and treated at the University Clinic of Hematology for a period of time from January 2020 to April 2021.
Results: The most common hematologic autoimmune disorder was ITP in 13 cases (62%) followed by AIHA in 5 cases (24%) and TTP in 3 individuals (14%). The mean time of onset of the hematologic auto-immune presentations was 18,4 ± 10,3 days. The therapy of this conditions in patients with COVID-19 infection requires an individualized approach to achieve a precise balance between the risk of severe bleeding and of thromboembolic events.
Conclusion: Causal relationship between COVID-19 infection and these autoimmune events still requires further studies. We should all have in mind the risk of development of hematologic autoimmune disorders in infected patients.