Convalescent plasma from Norwegian blood donors to treat COVID-19. / Rekonvalesensplasma mot covid-19 fremstilt fra norske blodgivere.

BACKGROUND: At the start of the pandemic, the Norwegian Directorate of Health and Norwegian blood banks initiated the production of COVID-19 convalescent plasma within the framework of clinical studies. In this article we describe the blood donors who participated. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Blood donors who had recovered from COVID-19 were recruited to donate single donor plasma for the purpose of patient treatment. Data on the course of infection, leukocyte antibodies and antibody level against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) per plasma unit were registered after informed consent was obtained. We calculated a disease score defined as the total number of self-reported symptoms/findings and hospitalisation where relevant (score 0-⁠11). RESULTS: A total of 1644 plasma units were collected from 266 plasma donors at 12 blood banks. Median disease score was 5 (interquartile range 3-⁠6), and 15 donors had recovered from pneumonia and/or been hospitalised. A total of 599/1644 plasma units from 106/266 donors met our requirement for SARS-CoV-2 antibody content (> 60 % inhibition of virus binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)) or positive virus neutralisation test. The antibody level in donors waned over time following infection, and showed no clear correlation with disease score. INTERPRETATION: The number of symptoms and findings in blood donors could not predict antibody response at individual level, and antibody testing was crucial for the production of effective convalescent plasma.

Terminating Routine Cord Blood RhD Typing of the Newborns to Guide Postnatal Anti-D Immunoglobulin Prophylaxis Based on the Results of Fetal RHD Genotyping.

INTRODUCTION: Targeted routine antenatal prophylaxis with anti-D immunoglobulin (Ig) only to RhD-negative pregnant women who carry RhD-positive fetuses (determined by fetal RHD genotyping) has reduced D-alloimmunization significantly when administered in addition to postnatal prophylaxis. Achieving high analysis sensitivity and few false-negative fetal RHD results will make RhD typing of the newborn redundant. Postnatal prophylaxis can then be given based on the result of fetal RHD genotyping. Terminating routine RhD typing of the newborns in cord blood will streamline maternity care. Accordingly, we compared the results of fetal RHD genotyping with RhD typing of the newborns. METHODS: Fetal RHD genotyping was performed, and antenatal anti-D Ig was administered at gestational week 24 and 28, respectively. Data for 2017-2020 are reported. RESULTS: Ten laboratories reported 18,536 fetal RHD genotypings, and 16,378 RhD typing results of newborns. We found 46 false-positive (0.28%) and seven false-negative (0.04%) results. Sensitivity of the assays was 99.93%, while specificity was 99.24%. CONCLUSION: Few false-negative results support the good analysis quality of fetal RHD genotyping. Routine cord blood RhD typing will therefore be discontinued nationwide and postnatal anti-D Ig will now be given based on the result of fetal RHD genotyping.

A novel nonsense variant in RHAG underlies a Nordic Rhnull phenotype.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The extremely rare Rhnull phenotype is characterized by the absence of all Rh antigens on erythrocytes. It is divided into the regulator and amorph types based on the underlying genetic background. The more common regulator type depends on critical variants silencing RHAG, which encodes RhAG glycoprotein, necessary for RhD/RhCE expression. Rhnull cells have altered expression of glycophorin B and LW glycoprotein. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four unrelated Rhnull individuals were investigated. Serological testing was performed according to standard blood bank practice. RHD/RHCE and S/s allele-specific Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genotyping was done on genomic DNA using in-house PCR assays. RHAG, and in some cases also RHD/RHCE, were sequenced. Initial s phenotyping results triggered additional serological investigation. RESULTS: Anti-Rh29 was identified in all four individuals. Extended typing with anti-S and anti-s showed that the three samples predicted to type as s+ failed to react with 2 of 5 anti-s. Sequence analysis of all 10 RHAG exons and the immediate intron/exon boundaries revealed a single nucleotide variant in the 3'-end of intron 6, c.946 -2a>g in all samples. RHD/RHCE showed no alterations. CONCLUSION: A novel Nordic Rhnull allele was identified. In addition, it was shown that s+ Rhnull red blood cells are not only U- but also have qualitative changes in their s antigen expression.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are not associated with hypercoagulability in apparently healthy people.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 adenoviral vector DNA vaccines have been linked to the rare but serious thrombotic postvaccine complication vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia. This has raised concerns regarding the possibility of increased thrombotic risk after any SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Objectives: To investigate whether SARS-CoV-2 vaccines cause coagulation activation leading to a hypercoagulable state. Methods: This observational study included 567 health care personnel; 521 were recruited after the first dose of adenoviral vector ChAdOx1-S (Vaxzevria, AstraZeneca) vaccine and 46 were recruited prospectively before vaccination with a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine, either Spikevax (Moderna, n = 38) or Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech, n = 8). In the mRNA group, samples were acquired before and 1 to 2 weeks after vaccination. In addition to the prevaccination samples, 56 unvaccinated blood donors were recruited as controls (total n = 102). Thrombin generation, D-dimer levels, and free tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) levels were analyzed. Results: No participant experienced thrombosis, vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia, or thrombocytopenia (platelet count <100 × 109/L) 1 week to 1 month postvaccination. There was no increase in thrombin generation, D-dimer level, or TFPI level in the ChAdOx1-S vaccine group compared with controls or after the mRNA vaccines compared with baseline values. Eleven of 513 (2.1%) participants vaccinated with ChAdOx1-S had anti-PF4/polyanion antibodies without a concomitant increase in thrombin generation. Conclusion: In this study, SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were not associated with thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, increased thrombin generation, D-dimer levels, or TFPI levels compared with baseline or unvaccinated controls. These findings argue against the subclinical activation of coagulation post-COVID-19 vaccination.

Vaccine associated benign headache and cutaneous hemorrhage after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine: A cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Fatal complications have occurred after vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, a vaccine against Covid-19. Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) with severe outcome is characterized by venous thrombosis, predominantly in cerebral veins, thrombocytopenia and anti-PF4/polyanion antibodies. Prolonged headaches and cutaneous hemorrhages, frequently observed after the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine, have therefore caused anxiety among vaccinees. We investigated whether these symptoms represent a mild form of VITT, with a potential for aggravation, e.g. in case of a second vaccination dose, or a different entity of vaccine complications MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included previously healthy individuals who had a combination of headache and spontaneous severe cutaneous hemorrhages emerging after the 1st dose of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. Twelve individuals were found to meet the inclusion criteria, and a phone interview, cerebral MRI, assessment of platelet counts, anti PF4/polyanion antibodies and other laboratory tests were performed. RESULTS: None of the symptomatic vaccinees had cerebral vein thrombosis, hemorrhage or other pathology on MRI. Platelet counts were within normal range and no anti-PF4/polyanion platelet activating antibodies were found. Moreover, vasculitis markers, platelet activation markers and thrombin generation were normal. Furthermore, almost all symptoms resolved, and none had recurrence of symptoms after further vaccination with mRNA vaccines against Covid-19. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of headaches and subcutaneous hemorrhage did not represent VITT and no other specific coagulation disorder or intracranial pathology was found. However, symptoms initially mimicking VITT demand vigilance and low threshold for a clinical evaluation combined with platelet counts and D-dimer.

Thrombosis and thrombocytopenia after HPV vaccination.

BACKGROUND: Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) has so far only been reported after adenovirus vector severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines. OBJECTIVE: We report findings in a 25-year-old woman who presented with thrombocytopenia, venous thrombosis, elevated D-dimer levels, and high levels of platelet-activating antibodies to platelet factor 4-polyanion complexes 10 days after Gardasil 9 vaccination for human papillomavirus (HPV). The patient exhibited clinical and laboratory features in line with the recently defined VITT syndrome, described after adenoviral vector vaccination to prevent coronavirus disease 2019. CONCLUSION: We report a case of VITT following HPV vaccination. This should raise awareness of the possibility of VITT also occurring after other vaccines, not exclusively adenoviral vector-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Vaccine Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Causing a Severe Form of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis With High Fatality Rate: A Case Series.

During a 2-week period, we have encountered five cases presenting with the combination of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), intracerebral hemorrhage and thrombocytopenia. A clinical hallmark was the rapid and severe progression of disease in spite of maximum treatment efforts, resulting in fatal outcome in for 4 out of 5 patients. All cases had received ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccine 1-2 weeks earlier and developed a characteristic syndrome thereafter. The rapid progressive clinical course and high fatality rate of CVT in combination with thrombocytopenia in such a cluster and in otherwise healthy adults is a recent phenomenon. Cerebral autopsy findings were those of venous hemorrhagic infarctions and thrombi in dural venous sinuses, including thrombus material apparently rich in thrombocytes, leukocytes and fibrin. Vessel walls were free of inflammation. Extra-cerebral manifestations included leech-like thrombi in large veins, fibrin clots in small venules and scattered hemorrhages on skin and membranes. CVT with thrombocytopenia after adenovirus vectored COVID-19 vaccination is a new clinical syndrome that needs to be recognized by clinicians, is challenging to treat and seems associated with a high mortality rate.

The Norwegian experience with nationwide implementation of fetal RHD genotyping and targeted routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis.

OBJECTIVES: To reduce the risk of RhD alloimmunization during the last trimester of pregnancy, a targeted routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis (RAADP) programme was implemented in Norway in 2016. Here, we present and discuss our experience with the nationwide implementation of the programme, and report sample uptake and preliminary data of de novo anti-D in pregnancy. BACKGROUND: The targeted RAADP was advised by the academic community and evaluated by the health authorities. A National Working Group has conducted the implementation in the transfusion services and contributed to organise the administration of the antenatal anti-D prophylaxis. Fetal RhD type is determined by non-invasive prenatal testing at gestational week 24, and anti-D prophylaxis is administrated at gestational week 28 only to women with RhD positive fetuses. METHODS: We describe the implementation process of targeted RAADP in Norway. The sample uptake is calculated by comparing the number of fetal RHD screens with the expected number of samples. RESULTS: The sample uptake shows regional variations: 88%-100% after 3 years. Promising decrease in de novo anti-D detected during pregnancy is observed. CONCLUSIONS: Nationwide targeted RAADP is implemented and included in the Norwegian maternity care programme. Compliance to sample uptake should further improve in some regions. A remaining issue to fulfil is the documentation of the accuracy of the fetal RHD-typing at all sites. Post-natal prophylaxis will then be guided by the fetal RHD result. Dedicated registries will ensure data to evaluate the expected reduction in pregnancy-related RhD immunisations, which is the final success criterion of the programme.

An observational study to identify the prevalence of thrombocytopenia and anti-PF4/polyanion antibodies in Norwegian health care workers after COVID-19 vaccination.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca (AZD1222) is one of several vaccines introduced to provide immunity against SARS-CoV-2. Recently, more than 50 cases have been reported presenting a combination of thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, and remarkably high levels of anti-platelet factor 4 (PF4)/polyanion antibodies post-AZD1222 vaccination. Now linked to the vaccine, the condition is referred to as vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia. The European Medicines Agency still recommends vaccination with AZD1222, but several European countries have temporally paused and/or restricted its use because of the perceived risk of this severe side effect. Because there is no description of PF4/polyanion antibody testing in the clinical trials, knowledge about the prevalence of such antibodies in a vaccinated cohort is needed. OBJECTIVES: To investigate prevalence of thrombocytopenia and anti-PF4/polyanion antibodies in a population recently vaccinated with AZD1222. PATIENTS/METHODS: Four hundred and ninety-two health care workers recently vaccinated with the first dose of AZD1222 were recruited from two hospitals in Norway. Study individuals were screened for thrombocytopenia and the presence of anti-PF4/polyanion antibodies with a PF4/PVS immunoassay. Side effects after vaccination were registered. RESULTS: The majority of study participants had normal platelet counts and negative immunoassay. Anti-PF4/polyanion antibodies without platelet activating properties were only detected in six individuals (optical density ≥0.4, range 0.58-1.16), all with normal platelet counts. No subjects had severe thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSIONS: We found low prevalence of both thrombocytopenia and antibodies to PF4/polyanion-complexes among Norwegian health care workers after vaccination with AZD1222.