Acquired Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Following BNT162b2 mRNA Coronavirus Disease Vaccination in a Japanese Patient

• Published in: Internal Medicine Vol. 61; no. 3; pp. 407 - 412
• Main Authors: Yoshida, Kikuaki, Sakaki, Ayaka, Matsuyama, Yoriko, Mushino, Toshiki, Matsumoto, Masanori, Sonoki, Takashi, Tamura, Shinobu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine 01.02.2022; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura; ADAMTS13 Protein; Appetite loss; BNT162 Vaccine - adverse effects; BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine; Case Report; Coronaviruses; Corticosteroids; COVID-19; COVID-19 - prevention & control; COVID-19 vaccines; Erythrocytes; Hemolytic anemia; Humans; Immunization; Internal medicine; Japan; Jaundice; Male; Middle Aged; mRNA; Plasma Exchange; Purpura; Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic - chemically induced; Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic - diagnosis; Rituximab; Thrombocytopenia; Thrombocytopenic purpura; Thrombospondin; Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura; Vaccination; Vaccination - adverse effects; Vaccines; Japan; BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine; COVID-19; plasma exchange; acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
• ISSN: 0918-2918; 1349-7235
• DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.8568-21

A 57-year-old man without underlying diseases presented with fatigue, loss of appetite, and jaundice 1 week after receiving the first dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine and showed hemolytic anemia with fragmented erythrocytes and severe thrombocytopenia 2 weeks after receiving the vaccine. An a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type 1 motifs 13 (ADAMTS13) activity level of <10% and ADAMTS13 inhibitor positivity confirmed the diagnosis of acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Combination therapy with plasma exchange, corticosteroid, and rituximab improved the clinical outcome. We herein report the first Japanese case of TTP possibly associated with vaccination. Physicians should be alert for this rare but life-threatening hematological complication following COVID-19 vaccination.