TAFRO Syndrome and COVID-19

TAFRO syndrome is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by thrombocytopenia and anasarca. It results from hyperinflammation and produces severe cytokine storms. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, which led to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, also causes cytokine storms. COVID-19 was reported to be associated with various immune-related manifestations, including multisystem inflammatory syndrome, hemophagocytic syndrome, vasculitis, and immune thrombocytopenia. Although the pathogenesis and complications of COVID-19 have not been fully elucidated, the pathogeneses of excessive immunoreaction after COVID-19 and TAFRO syndrome both involve cytokine storms. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a few case reports about the onset of TAFRO syndrome after COVID-19 or COVID-19 vaccination. Castleman disease also presents with excessive cytokine production. We reviewed the literature about the association between TAFRO syndrome or Castleman disease and COVID-19 or vaccination against it. While the similarities and differences between the pathogeneses of TAFRO syndrome and COVID-19 have not been investigated previously, the cytokines and genetic factors associated with TAFRO syndrome and COVID-19 were reviewed by examining case reports. Investigation of TAFRO-like manifestations after COVID-19 or vaccination against COVID-19 may contribute to understanding the pathogenesis of TAFRO syndrome.