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Musuuza JS, Kumar S, Posa DK, Hans A, Nayyar S, Christensen L, Kamoga GR. Cold Agglutinin Disease and COVID-19: A Scoping Review of Treatments and Outcomes. J Clin Med Res 2024; 16:8-14. [PMID: 38327389 PMCID: PMC10846489 DOI: 10.14740/jocmr5102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Reports suggest that patients with both acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and cold agglutinin disease (CAD) may experience poorer survival when treated with rituximab. We conducted a scoping review to evaluate severe outcomes, including intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality, in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with CAD on various treatments, including rituximab. Methods This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Four literature databases were searched on December 19, 2023, for studies reporting lab-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 and CAD, excluding rheumatological conditions. Results Of the 741 screened articles, 19 were included. Studies, predominantly case reports (17/19) or case series (2/19), were mainly from the USA (8/19) and India (3/19), with others across Europe and Asia. Among 23 patients (61% female, median age 61 years), 21/23 had a new CAD diagnosis; only two had pre-existing CAD. Overall, 74% recovered, 21% died, and outcomes for one were unreported. Nine (39%) were ICU-admitted. Of rituximab-treated patients (n = 4), 25% were ICU-admitted, none died. Non-rituximab treatments (n = 19) saw 42% ICU admissions and 26% mortality. Conclusions This review found no increased risk of severe outcomes in CAD and COVID-19 patients treated with rituximab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackson S Musuuza
- Department of Internal Medicine, White River Health, Batesville, AR 72501, USA
| | - Silpa Kumar
- Department of Internal Medicine, White River Health, Batesville, AR 72501, USA
| | - Dheeraj Kumar Posa
- Department of Internal Medicine, White River Health, Batesville, AR 72501, USA
| | - Aakash Hans
- Department of Internal Medicine, White River Health, Batesville, AR 72501, USA
| | - Sankett Nayyar
- Department of Internal Medicine, White River Health, Batesville, AR 72501, USA
| | - Leslie Christensen
- Ebling Library for the Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Gilbert-Roy Kamoga
- Department of Internal Medicine, White River Health, Batesville, AR 72501, USA
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2
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Bhagat YV, Hussien S, Queenan H, Michael MB. Exacerbation of Secondary Cold Agglutinin Syndrome in the Setting of SARS-CoV-2. Cureus 2021; 13:e19387. [PMID: 34925989 PMCID: PMC8655486 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.19387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
In this report, we present a case of exacerbation of cold agglutinin syndrome (CAS) potentially due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia. An 83-year-old female with a history of cold agglutinin hemolytic anemia presented with shortness of breath, productive cough, worsening orthopnea, darkening fingers and urine, and jaundice. Laboratory investigations found elevated white blood cells (WBC) and total bilirubin, severely low hemoglobin, and positive direct Coombs test. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was also found to be positive in a sample from the nasal swab by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), indicating exacerbation of CAS secondary to viral coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection. A treatment regime for SARS-CoV-2 consisting of five days of remdesivir and seven days of dexamethasone 6 mg IV was initiated, resulting in significant improvement in the patient's condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yash V Bhagat
- Internal Medicine, University of Maryland Midtown Campus, Baltimore, USA.,College of Medicine, American University of Antigua, St. John's, ATG
| | - Siham Hussien
- Internal Medicine, University of Maryland Midtown Campus, Baltimore, USA
| | - Helen Queenan
- Internal Medicine, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Miriam B Michael
- Internal Medicine, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, D.C., USA.,Internal Medicine, University of Maryland Midtown Campus, Baltimore, USA
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3
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Fattizzo B, Pasquale R, Bellani V, Barcellini W, Kulasekararaj AG. Complement Mediated Hemolytic Anemias in the COVID-19 Era: Case Series and Review of the Literature. Front Immunol 2021; 12:791429. [PMID: 34899761 PMCID: PMC8655106 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.791429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The complex pathophysiologic interplay between SARS-CoV-2 infection and complement activation is the subject of active investigation. It is clinically mirrored by the occurrence of exacerbations of complement mediated diseases during COVID-19 infection. These include complement-mediated hemolytic anemias such as paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), particularly cold agglutinin disease (CAD), and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). All these conditions may benefit from complement inhibitors that are also under study for COVID-19 disease. Hemolytic exacerbations in these conditions may occur upon several triggers including infections and vaccines and may require transfusions, treatment with complement inhibitors and/or immunosuppressors (i.e., steroids and rituximab for AIHA), and result in thrombotic complications. In this manuscript we describe four patients (2 with PNH and 2 with CAD) who experienced hemolytic flares after either COVID-19 infection or SARS-Cov2 vaccine and provide a review of the most recent literature. We report that most episodes occurred within the first 10 days after COVID-19 infection/vaccination and suggest laboratory monitoring (Hb and LDH levels) in that period. Moreover, in our experience and in the literature, hemolytic exacerbations occurring during COVID-19 infection were more severe, required greater therapeutic intervention, and carried more complications including fatalities, as compared to those developing after SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, suggesting the importance of vaccinating this patient population. Patient education remains pivotal to promptly recognize signs/symptoms of hemolytic flares and to refer to medical attention. Treatment choice should be based on the severity of the hemolytic exacerbation as well as of that of COVID-19 infection. Therapies include transfusions, complement inhibitor initiation/additional dose in the case of PNH, steroids/rituximab in patients with CAD and warm type AIHA, plasma exchange, hemodialysis and complement inhibitor in the case of atypical HUS. Finally, anti-thrombotic prophylaxis should be always considered in these settings, provided safe platelet counts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Fattizzo
- Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaella Pasquale
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Bellani
- Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Wilma Barcellini
- Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is associated with a variety of clinical manifestations related to viral tissue damage, as well as a virally induced immune response. Hyperstimulation of the immune system can serve as a trigger for autoimmunity. Several immune-mediated manifestations have been described in the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) are the most common hematologic autoimmune disorders seen in the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Vaccine-induced thrombocytopenia is a unique autoimmune hematologic cytopenia associated with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. This paper will review the current literature on the association of SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination with autoimmune cytopenias and the clinical course of autoimmune cytopenias in patients with COVID-19.
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5
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Taherifard E, Taherifard E, Movahed H, Mousavi MR. Hematologic autoimmune disorders in the course of COVID-19: a systematic review of reported cases. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 26:225-239. [PMID: 33594951 DOI: 10.1080/16078454.2021.1881225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE As COVID-19 is a new emerging disease, the hematological/immunological changes that develop in the infected patients remain unknown. This study aims to systematically review the hematologic autoimmune complications in these patients. METHOD Data from three online databases including Medline (via PubMed), Scopus and Web of Science were searched on 19 December 2020, and after excluding duplicate, irrelevant and inappropriate records, eligible documents were identified. Afterwards, information such as patients' history, presentations, paraclinical data, treatment course and outcome were extracted from the records. RESULTS A total of 58 documents were considered to be eligible for data extraction which described 94 patients with COVID-19 who developed hematologic autoimmune disorder in their course of infection. Of these patients with COVID-19, the most common hematologic autoimmune disorder was immune thrombocytopenic purpura (55 cases) followed by autoimmune hemolytic anemia (22 cases). Other hematologic autoimmune disorders include antiphospholipid syndrome, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, Evans syndrome and autoimmune neutropenia. CONCLUSION The current study would help us to always consider an autoimmune etiology for cases with abnormal hematologic finding which further lead to an appropriate treatment of the patients, especially when the symptoms present in about 1-2 weeks after the first manifestation of the infection symptoms. Maybe, at least in this pandemic, it should be recommended to evaluate patients with unexpected and unexplained decrease in their hemoglobulin or platelet count for COVID-19. Another challenging issue is the treatment options. Given the multiorgan involvement and multifaceted nature of the infection, an individualized approach should be taken for each patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erfan Taherifard
- Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ehsan Taherifard
- Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Hamed Movahed
- Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shiraz, Iran
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6
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Barcellini W, Giannotta JA, Fattizzo B. Are Patients With Autoimmune Cytopenias at Higher Risk of COVID-19 Pneumonia? The Experience of a Reference Center in Northern Italy and Review of the Literature. Front Immunol 2021; 11:609198. [PMID: 33574816 PMCID: PMC7870679 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.609198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
During COVID-19 pandemic the care of onco-hematologic and autoimmune patients has raised the question whether they are at higher risk of infection and/or worse outcome. Here, we describe the clinical course of COVID-19 pneumonia in patients with autoimmune cytopenias (AIC) regularly followed at a reference center in Northern Italy. The study period started from COVID-19 outbreak (February 22, 2020) until the time of writing. Moreover, we provide a review of the literature, showing that most cases reported so far are AIC developed during or secondary to COVID-19 infection. At variance, data about AIC pre-existing to COVID infection are scanty. The 4 patients here described (2 autoimmune hemolytic anemias, AIHA, 1 Evans syndrome, and 1 immune thrombocytopenia) with COVID-19 pneumonia belong to a large cohort of 500 AIC patients, making this study nearly population-based. The observed frequency (4/501; 0.7%) is only slightly superior to that of the general population admitted to hospital/intensive care unit (0.28/0.03%, respectively) in Lombardy in the same period of observation. All cases occurred between March 21 and 25, whilst no more AIC were recorded later on. Although different in intensity of care needed, all patients recovered from COVID-19 pneumonia, with apparently no detrimental effect of previous/current immunomodulatory treatments. AIHA relapse occurred in two patients, but promptly responded to therapy. With limitations due to sample size, these results suggest a favorable outcome and a lower-than-expected incidence of COVID-19 pneumonia in patients with previously diagnosed AIC, and allow speculating that immunomodulatory drugs used for AIC may play a beneficial rather than a harmful effect on COVID-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilma Barcellini
- Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Bruno Fattizzo
- Hematology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Oncohematology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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7
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Novelli L, Motta F, De Santis M, Ansari AA, Gershwin ME, Selmi C. The JANUS of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases onset during COVID-19 - A systematic review of the literature. J Autoimmun 2020; 117:102592. [PMID: 33401171 PMCID: PMC7833462 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2020.102592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The diverse clinical manifestations of COVID-19 is emerging as a hallmark of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. While the initial target of SARS-CoV-2 is the respiratory tract, it is becoming increasingly clear that there is a complex interaction between the virus and the immune system ranging from mild to controlling responses to exuberant and dysfunctional multi-tissue directed autoimmune responses. The immune system plays a dual role in COVID-19, being implicated in both the anti-viral response and in the acute progression of the disease, with a dysregulated response represented by the marked cytokine release syndrome, macrophage activation, and systemic hyperinflammation. It has been speculated that these immunological changes may induce the loss of tolerance and/or trigger chronic inflammation. In particular, molecular mimicry, bystander activation and epitope spreading are well-established proposed mechanisms to explain this correlation with the likely contribution of HLA alleles. We performed a systematic literature review to evaluate the COVID-19-related autoimmune/rheumatic disorders reported between January and September 2020. In particular, we investigated the cases of incident hematological autoimmune manifestations, connective tissue diseases, antiphospholipid syndrome/antibodies, vasculitis, Kawasaki-like syndromes, acute arthritis, autoimmune-like skin lesions, and neurologic autoimmune conditions such as Guillain–Barré syndrome. We screened 6263 articles and report herein the findings of 382 select reports which allow us to conclude that there are 2 faces of the immune response against SARS-CoV-2, that include a benign virus controlling immune response and a many faceted range of dysregulated multi-tissue and organ directed autoimmune responses that provides a major challenge in the management of this viral disease. The number of cases for each disease varied significantly while there were no reported cases of adult onset Still disease, systemic sclerosis, or inflammatory myositis. The immune system plays a major role in the acute progression of COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 infection shares features with autoimmune diseases. SARS-CoV-2 can induce Guillain-Barré syndrome, arthritis, chilblain-like lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Novelli
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center- IRCCS, Rozzano, MI, Italy
| | - Francesca Motta
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center- IRCCS, Rozzano, MI, Italy; Humanitas University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Pieve Emanuele, MI, Italy
| | - Maria De Santis
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center- IRCCS, Rozzano, MI, Italy
| | - Aftab A Ansari
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - M Eric Gershwin
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Carlo Selmi
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center- IRCCS, Rozzano, MI, Italy; Humanitas University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Pieve Emanuele, MI, Italy.
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8
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Moonla C, Watanaboonyongcharoen P, Suwanpimolkul G, Paitoonpong L, Jantarabenjakul W, Chanswangphuwana C, Polprasert C, Rojnuckarin P, Putcharoen O. Cold agglutinin disease following SARS-CoV-2 and Mycoplasma pneumoniae co-infections. Clin Case Rep 2020; 8:2402-2405. [PMID: 32837721 PMCID: PMC7404354 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.3152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS‐CoV‐2 and other respiratory co‐infections may occur. As Mycoplasma pneumoniae and various viruses can cause cold agglutinin disease (CAD), the presence of CAD in COVID‐19 patients should indicate the need of investigations for those pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chatphatai Moonla
- Department of Medicine Faculty of Medicine Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital Thai Red Cross Society Bangkok Thailand.,Research Unit in Translational Hematology Department of Medicine King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital Thai Red Cross Society Bangkok Thailand
| | - Phandee Watanaboonyongcharoen
- Research Unit in Translational Hematology Department of Medicine King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital Thai Red Cross Society Bangkok Thailand.,Department of Laboratory Medicine Faculty of Medicine Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital Thai Red Cross Society Bangkok Thailand
| | - Gompol Suwanpimolkul
- Department of Medicine Faculty of Medicine Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital Thai Red Cross Society Bangkok Thailand.,Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Clinical Center King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital Thai Red Cross Society Bangkok Thailand
| | - Leilani Paitoonpong
- Department of Medicine Faculty of Medicine Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital Thai Red Cross Society Bangkok Thailand.,Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Clinical Center King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital Thai Red Cross Society Bangkok Thailand
| | - Watsamon Jantarabenjakul
- Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Clinical Center King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital Thai Red Cross Society Bangkok Thailand.,Department of Pediatrics Faculty of Medicine Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital Thai Red Cross Society Bangkok Thailand
| | - Chantiya Chanswangphuwana
- Department of Medicine Faculty of Medicine Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital Thai Red Cross Society Bangkok Thailand.,Research Unit in Translational Hematology Department of Medicine King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital Thai Red Cross Society Bangkok Thailand
| | - Chantana Polprasert
- Department of Medicine Faculty of Medicine Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital Thai Red Cross Society Bangkok Thailand.,Research Unit in Translational Hematology Department of Medicine King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital Thai Red Cross Society Bangkok Thailand
| | - Ponlapat Rojnuckarin
- Department of Medicine Faculty of Medicine Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital Thai Red Cross Society Bangkok Thailand.,Research Unit in Translational Hematology Department of Medicine King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital Thai Red Cross Society Bangkok Thailand
| | - Opass Putcharoen
- Department of Medicine Faculty of Medicine Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital Thai Red Cross Society Bangkok Thailand.,Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Clinical Center King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital Thai Red Cross Society Bangkok Thailand
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