COVID-19 Vaccine Linked to Rare Autoimmune Response in Pre-Existing Autoimmune Disease Patient

Strategic Insights -

A study published in Clinical Immunology Communications has described a rare case of an individual with pre-existing autoimmunity who developed severe autoimmune symptoms after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The patient, a 64-year-old Caucasian female, experienced progressively worsening fingertip necrosis and other symptoms associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) after receiving the vaccine. Researchers from the State University of New York (SUNY) concluded that the vaccine RNA moiety may induce SLE manifesting in APS, cryoglobulinemia, and digital necrosis.

Key Takeaways:

  • A 64-year-old Caucasian female with pre-existing autoimmunity developed severe autoimmune symptoms, including fingertip necrosis, after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
  • The patient's symptoms were associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), and the researchers concluded that the vaccine RNA moiety may induce SLE manifesting in APS, cryoglobulinemia, and digital necrosis.
  • The patient failed to develop anti-spike IgG antibodies up to two months following vaccination.
  • Disease progression was halted by plasmapheresis, anticoagulation, and immune suppression.
  • The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Central New York Community Foundation.
  • The researchers noted that this case highlights the importance of monitoring patients with pre-existing autoimmunity for potential adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines.

Statistics:

  • The patient was 64 years old.
  • The patient received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
  • The patient developed anti-phospholipid autoantibodies (aPL) directed against phosphatidylserine (aPL-PS).
  • The patient had high levels of IgM antiphospholipid autoantibodies (aPL).
  • The patient's symptoms were associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).
  • Disease progression was halted by plasmapheresis, anticoagulation, and immune suppression.

Sources:

  • Pfizer-biontech COVID-19 RNA vaccination induces phosphatidylserine autoantibodies, cryoglobulinemia, and digital necrosis in a patient with pre-existing autoimmunity. Clinical Immunology Communications, 2021, 1():1-3. DOI: 10.1016/j.clicom.2021.08.001.
  • NewsRx. State University of New York (SUNY) Researchers Release New Data on COVID-19 (Pfizer-biontech COVID-19 RNA vaccination induces phosphatidylserine autoantibodies, cryoglobulinemia, and digital necrosis in a patient with pre-existing autoimmunity). Vaccine Weekly. April 20, 2022; p 707.