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Published on: September 9, 2012
Genetic Predisposition to Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia: is there a Family Link?
Rita Pombal1, Luciana Silva2, David Ferreira1
1Immunohemotherapy Department, Unidade Local de Saúde Gaia/Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
Background:
Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a rare life-threatening thrombotic reaction to COVID-19 vaccines.
Case Description:
Two young male first cousins, with a family history of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, developed VITT after the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine. Both had a favourable clinical and analytical outcome. We investigated the genetic factors that could be associated with a genetic predisposition to VITT.
Conclusions:
There are no published cases where the VITT patients were relatives. The genetic study did not reveal any likely pathogenic variants, although the prevalent polymorphism c.497A>G (p.(His166Arg)) in the FCGR2A gene was found in a homozygous state. More studies are required to better understand VITT's pathophysiology and any underlying genetic predispositions.
Learning Points:
Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), a rare but life-threatening disease, emerged with COVID-19 vaccines.The genetic analyses revealed the FCGR2A gene in a homozygous state.These cases may raise new questions about a family predisposition to VITT.
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