Fatal case of bilateral internal jugular vein thrombosis following IVIg infusion in an adolescent girl treated for ITP

Disseminated thrombosis of the internal jugular vein, superior ophthalmic vein and cavernous sinus as the primary manifestation of occult malignancy: a case report

Internal jugular vein (IJV) thrombosis is a life-threatening condition most often associated with local risk factors such as head or neck infection or central venous catheterisation. Underlying malignancy is a rare but important aetiology to consider in patients presenting with spontaneous IJV thrombosis. We describe a case of necrotic cervical lymphadenopathy with thrombosis of the IJVs, cavernous sinuses and superior ophthalmic veins in a patient with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, which was further complicated by an orbital compartment syndrome. The differential diagnosis of IJV thrombosis includes a range of infective, metastatic and thrombophilic pathologies. This case illustrates that, in the absence of an underlying precipitating factor, spontaneous IJV thrombosis should prompt further systemic investigations. Furthermore, patients with thrombotic events affecting the orbital venous drainage system should be monitored closely for signs of an acute orbital compartment syndrome.

Intravenous immunoglobulins reduce skin thickness in systemic sclerosis: evidence from Systematic Literature Review and from real life experience

INTRODUCTION

Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) are a new therapeutic approach in systemic sclerosis SSc. An immunomodulatory and antifibrotic activity has been postulated. IVIG are generally well tolerated and have only rare side effects. Our retrospective study focused its attention on SSc, an autoimmune connective tissue disease, characterized by several complications which has a significant impact on patient's quality of life. The pathophysiology comprises fibrotic, vascular and immunological aspects.

AIM

The aim of this study was to verify the effectiveness of IVIG on SSc skin involvement. Moreover, a systematic review of the literature (SLR) of the results obtained to date on the use of Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in SSc has been also performed.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The data of 24 patients (21 women, 3 male) with refractory diffuse SSc skin involvement were evaluated (mean age was 52.13 years). IVIG infusion at a dosage of 2 g/Kg body weight for 4 consecutive days/month, was started between 2002 and 2019. Skin involvement was evaluated with the modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS) before therapy and then again after 6 and 12 months. To perform the SLR, the PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Web of Science database were searched from 1990 to 2020 (keywords: IVIG, systemic sclerosis). Three assessors (E.A., C.B. & M.M.C) identified the criteria to scan all papers.

RESULTS

From the total SLR (106 results), 17 papers were identified after the separation of the clinical cases from the studies (total number of treated patients 183). The studies were classified according to the organ involvement considered in each study, as well as the prescribed dose (high or low doses), and the therapeutic regimens. In the selected papers, the organs mainly involved were the skin, the gastrointestinal, the joint and the cardiovascular systems. Only in one case, plasmapheresis was associated to IVIG. All papers reported significant reduction of the skin involvement, although generally the strength of the works was limited the lack of control cases or by the low number of patients involved. From the real life experience, a statistically significant reduction of mRSS was obtained at 6 months follow-up (average value of -6.61 ± 5.2, p < 0.001), and it was further maintained with a significant stabilization after 12-months (-11.45 ± 9.63, p < 0.002).

DISCUSSION

This SLR and the data of the retrospective study suggest that IVIG may improve skin involvement reducing mRSS in particular in those patients that were refractory to other standard of care therapies and represents a therapeutic option in patients with concomitant myositis. The literature review revealed encouraging perspectives on the use of this therapy, given the effectiveness found in the selected works.

iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomics analysis of immune thrombocytopenia patients before and after Qishunbaolier treatment

RATIONALE

Treatment of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) usually involves long-term use of immunosuppressive corticosteroids and splenectomy. However, these treatments often have side effects in patients. The Mongolian medicine Qishunbaolier (QSBLE) has a high curative effect, reduces the chances of relapse, and has no obvious side effects. This study was designed to identify potential therapeutic targets of QSBLE for treating ITP.

METHODS

To reveal differences in protein expression between ITP patients (ITPs) before and after QSBLE treatment, comparative proteomics studies were performed using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ). The analysis used nanospray liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (nano-LC/MS/MS) in positive ion electrospray ionization mode. Key proteins relevant to ITP were revealed by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and other bioinformatics tools. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis was carried out for confirmation of differentially expressed proteins.

RESULTS

A total of 982 differentially expressed proteins were identified in ITPs compared with the controls. Compared with the pre-QSBLE treatment group, 61 differentially expressed proteins were identified in the post-QSBLE treatment group, with 48 proteins being significantly upregulated and 13 downregulated. Twenty-nine pathways were significantly enriched. Q6N030 and other proteins were the key players in the protein-pathway network. Twenty proteins that may play important roles in the treatment of ITP were further filtered. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses further confirmed that MIF, PGK1 and IGHM were upregulated in ITPs after QSBLE treatment, in accordance with the proteomics data.

CONCLUSIONS

It is believed that the identified proteins and the results of bioinformatics analysis will provide a potential therapeutic target site for QSBLE for ITP therapy and biomarkers.

Cyclosporine-A-Induced Intracranial Thrombotic Complications: Systematic Review and Cases Report

This study reported two cases of intracranial thrombotic events of aplastic anemia (AA) under therapy with cyclosporine-A (CsA) and reviewed both drug-induced cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) and CsA-related thrombotic events systematically. We searched PubMed Central (PMC) and EMBASE up to Sep 2019 for publications on drug-induced CVT and Cs-A-induced thrombotic events. Medical subject headings and Emtree headings were used with the following keywords: "cyclosporine-A" and "cerebral venous thrombosis OR cerebral vein thrombosis" and "stroke OR Brain Ischemia OR Brain Infarction OR cerebral infarction OR intracerebral hemorrhage OR intracranial hemorrhage." We found that CsA might be a significant risk factor in inducing not only CVT but also cerebral arterial thrombosis in patients with AA.

Dural Venous Sinus Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism Following Immunoglobulin Treatment in Pediatric Patient With Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a widely used agent as the first choice of treatment of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). IVIG has several side effects, but it is a relatively safe treatment. Life-threatening thrombosis has been reported in adults and rarely in children. We report a case of a 14-year-old boy with dural venous sinus thrombosis and pulmonary embolism after treatment with IVIG for ITP. The patient was treated with low-molecular-weight heparin followed by warfarin and the symptoms were recovered. If a patient with ITP shows mental change or respiratory difficulty, we should consider thrombosis as well as hemorrhage.

Successful management of multilineage autoimmune cytopenia complicated with severe infection and deep vein thrombosis in a patient with Hodgkin lymphoma post-autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Autoimmune cytopenia (AIHA, AITP or AIN) were uncommon paraneoplastic manifestations of HL and have been recognized in patients after HSCT with dismal outcome. We presented a case of 16-yr-old male with Hodgkin's lymphoma who developed severe AIC involving all three cell lineages after autologus bone marrow transplantation. No disease relapse was noted. Treatments with steroid, IVIG and immunosuppresants were in vain and the disease course was complicated with sepsis and deep vein thrombosis. Rituximab was administered along with broad-spectrum antibiotics and low-molecular weight heparin. The condition became stable and pancytopenia recovered after four doses of rituximab treatment. Severe multi-lineage AIC post HSCT is usually refractory to first-line treatment and difficult to manage. Second-line treatment, such as rituximab, and dedicated care for pancytopenia-induced or treatment-related complications may provide a better outcome.

On the dark side of therapies with immunoglobulin concentrates: the adverse events

Therapy by human immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrates is a success story ongoing for decades with an ever increasing demand for this plasma product. The success of IgG concentrates on a clinical level is documented by the slowly increasing number of registered indication and the more rapid increase of the off-label uses, a topic dealt with in another contribution to this special issue of Frontiers in Immunology. A part of the success is the adverse event (AE) profile of IgG concentrates which is, even at life-long need for therapy, excellent. Transmission of pathogens in the last decade could be entirely controlled through the antecedent introduction by authorities of a regulatory network and installing quality standards by the plasma fractionation industry. The cornerstone of the regulatory network is current good manufacturing practice. Non-infectious AEs occur rarely and mainly are mild to moderate. However, in recent times, the increase in frequency of hemolytic and thrombotic AEs raised worrying questions on the possible background for these AEs. Below, we review elements of non-infectious AEs, and particularly focus on hemolysis and thrombosis. We discuss how the introduction of plasma fractionation by ion-exchange chromatography and polishing by immunoaffinity chromatographic steps might alter repertoire of specificities and influence AE profiles and efficacy of IgG concentrates.

[Cerebral venous thrombosis and immune thrombocytopenia in a 7-year-old girl: a fortuitous association?]

Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by autoantibody-mediated peripheral platelet destruction. It is rarely accompanied by thrombosis. Here, we describe a wide cerebral venous thrombosis that occurred at the onset of a primary ITP in a 7-year-old girl. ITP was confirmed by the presence of anti-platelet antibodies. Whether ITP is a risk factor for venous thrombosis is a matter of debate. The platelet microparticles released during the platelet destruction and the interaction between the autoantibodies and the platelet glycoproteins may contribute to platelet activation. Increased risk of thromboembolic events should be considered in all patients with ITP, including children.

Intravenous immunoglobulin-associated thrombosis: is it such a rare event? Report of a pediatric case and of the Quebec Hemovigilance System

BACKGROUND

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is frequently given in autoimmune disorders. Side effects are usually mild but severe complications such as thrombosis may occur. After one patient with IVIG-associated thrombotic complication at Sainte-Justine Hospital, the incidence of serious adverse events (SAEs) reported to the Quebec Hemovigilance System (QHS) was reviewed.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

This study was a retrospective review of QHS database of IVIG-related thrombotic complications since 2003, including a case report of a pediatric patient.

RESULTS

QHS is one of the rare national hemovigilance systems that have included IVIG reports for almost a decade. Over an extended period of 11 years (2003-2013), there have been eight cases of IVIG-related thrombosis, seven in adults and one in the pediatric population (respective rate of 0.06 case and 0.17 case per 100,000 g of IVIG given). The single pediatric case occurred in a 16-year-old female receiving IVIG for severe immune thrombocytopenia.

CONCLUSION

Thrombosis after IVIG is a rare though SAE occurring mostly in adults. This underlines the importance of properly reporting IVIG SAEs to improve hemovigilance data and study such rare events.

Bilateral jugular vein and sigmoid sinus thrombosis related to an inherited coagulopathy: an unusual presentation

Internal jugular vein thrombosis (IJVT) is a rare condition associated with malignancy, coagulopathy, and trauma. The optimal management of any IJVT must be individualized and depends on the condition of the patient. Case Presentation. We report the case of a 42-year-old woman with a history of a first trimester spontaneous abortion. Apart from a tension-type headache, she had no neurological symptoms. She reported an incidental diagnosis of right-sided IJVT when she was evaluated for hyperthyroidism ultrasonographically. On ultrasonography, we observed bilateral jugular vein thrombosis. The patient was started on oral warfarin. Seven months later, when she was adequately anticoagulated, she developed a second thrombosis. According to the etiological workup, she had a mutation in the homozygous methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene and reduced protein C levels and activity. Conclusion. This report illustrates an unusual presentation of a rare condition. In this case, the etiology was associated with the coagulopathy, which occurred despite adequate anticoagulation.

Cerebral infarctions after intravenous immunoglobulin therapy for ITP in a child

BACKGROUND

Intravenous immunoglobulin is the favored therapy in childhood immune thrombocytopenic purpura. It is usually well tolerated with manageable side effects, but venous and arterial thrombosis following its administration have been described, mostly in adults.

METHODS

We describe a 3-year-old girl with immune thrombocytopenic purpura and intracranial hemorrhage who received intravenous immunoglobulin therapy and subsequently developed multifocal cerebral infarctions.

RESULTS

Product specific as well as other factors may play a role in the development of this complication of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. This is the only reported case of intravenous immunoglobulin-related thrombosis in a child with immune thrombocytopenic purpura and intracranial hemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONS

Thrombotic complications are associated with intravenous immunoglobulin administration and this includes cerebral infarcts.

Adverse effects of human immunoglobulin therapy

Human immunoglobulin (IG) is used for IgG replacement therapy in primary and secondary immunodeficiency, for prevention and treatment of certain infections, and as an immunomodulatory agent for autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. IG has a wide spectrum of antibodies to microbial and human antigens. Several high-titered IGs are also available enriched in antibodies to specific viruses or bacterial toxins. IG can be given intravenously (IGIV), intramuscularly (IGIM) or by subcutaneous infusions (SCIG). Local adverse reactions such as persistent pain, bruising, swelling and erythema are rare with IGIV infusions but common (75%) with SCIG infusions. By contrast, adverse systemic reactions are rare with SCIG infusions but common with IGIV infusions, occurring as often as 20% to 50% of patients and 5% to 15% of all IGIV infusions. Systemic adverse reactions can be immediate (60% of reactions) occurring within 6 hours of an infusion, delayed (40% of reactions) occurring 6 hours-1 week after an infusion, and late (less than 1% of reactions), occurring weeks and months after an infusion. Immediate systemic reactions such as head and body aches, chills and fever are usually mild and readily treatable. Immediate anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions are uncommon. The most common delayed systemic reaction is persistent headache. Less common but more serious delayed reactions include aseptic meningitis, renal failure, thromboembolism, and hemolytic reactions. Late reactions are uncommon but often severe, and include lung disease, enteritis, dermatologic disorders and infectious diseases. The types, incidence, causes, prevention, and management of these reactions are discussed.

Perioperative care of a patient with refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura undergoing total knee arthroplasty

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder leading to low platelet count and an increased risk of bleeding. Major joint replacement surgery in a patient with ITP can be associated with severe postoperative bleeding. We present our experience of perioperative management in a patient with severe refractory chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura who successfully underwent a cemented total knee replacement.

Arterial and venous thromboses in patients with idiopathic (immunological) thrombocytopenia: a possible contributing role of cortisone-induced hypercoagulable state

Immunological thrombocytopenias, as other forms of thrombocytopenia, are associated with bleeding. Occasionally, these patients manifest thrombotic events. A total of at least 29 patients were reported to have had either arterial (20 cases) or venous (9 cases) thrombosis while platelet count was less than 50 × 10(3)/μL. The most frequent clinical manifestation was a myocardial infarction. Thrombosis occurred in the large majority of patients during prednisone therapy. Patients receiving cortisone or patients with Cushing syndrome show a hypercoagulable state characterized by elevated factor VIII levels, decreased fibrinolysis, and abnormal von Willebrand factor multimers composition. The same is probably true for prednisone-treated patients with thrombocytopenia. However, the 2 conditions are not identical since prednisone is a mainly glycoactive compound, whereas cortisol produced in excess in Cushing syndrome is mainly mineraloactive. The presence of large, young, hyperactive platelets may also play a role. Prednisone-treated patients with thrombocytopenia have to be considered as potentially thrombophilic.

Cerebral sinus thrombosis following IV immunoglobulin therapy of immune thrombocytopenia purpura

We present a pediatric patient treated with high dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for acute immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), who developed cerebral sinus thrombosis in the absence of any identifiable hypercoagulable state. This report describes the successful management of this rare complication in this challenging setting. This report shows IVIG induced cerebral sinus thrombosis in ITP.