Increment of immunogenicity after third dose of a homologous inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in a large population of patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the immunogenicity of the third dose of CoronaVac vaccine in a large population of patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD) and the factors associated with impaired response. METHODS: Adult patients with ARD and age-balanced/sex-balanced controls (control group, CG) previously vaccinated with two doses of CoronaVac received the third dose at D210 (6 months after the second dose). The presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG and neutralising antibodies (NAb) was evaluated previously to vaccination (D210) and 30 days later (D240). Patients with controlled disease suspended mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for 7 days or methotrexate (MTX) for 2 weekly doses after vaccination. RESULTS: ARD (n=597) and CG (n=199) had comparable age (p=0.943). Anti-S1/S2 IgG seropositivity rates significantly increased from D210 (60%) to D240 (93%) (p<0.0001) in patients with ARD. NAb positivity also increased: 38% (D210) vs 81.4% (D240) (p<0.0001). The same pattern was observed for CG, with significantly higher frequencies for both parameters at D240 (p<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analyses in the ARD group revealed that older age (OR=0.98, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.0, p=0.024), vasculitis diagnosis (OR=0.24, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.53, p<0.001), prednisone ≥5 mg/day (OR=0.46, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.77, p=0.003), MMF (OR=0.30, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.61, p<0.001) and biologics (OR=0.27, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.46, p<0.001) were associated with reduced anti-S1/S2 IgG positivity. Similar analyses demonstrated that prednisone ≥5 mg/day (OR=0.63, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.90, p=0.011), abatacept (OR=0.39, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.74, p=0.004), belimumab (OR=0.29, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.67, p=0.004) and rituximab (OR=0.11, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.30, p<0.001) were negatively associated with NAb positivity. Further evaluation of COVID-19 seronegative ARD at D210 demonstrated prominent increases in positivity rates at D240 for anti-S1/S2 IgG (80.5%) and NAb (59.1%) (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: We provide novel data on a robust response to the third dose of CoronaVac in patients with ARD, even in those with prevaccination COVID-19 seronegative status. Drugs implicated in reducing immunogenicity after the regular two-dose regimen were associated with non-responsiveness after the third dose, except for MTX. Trial registration number NCT04754698.

Poor Prognosis of COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Lupus Erythematosus: Nationwide Cross-Sectional Population Study Of 252 119 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has progressed rapidly around the world, reaching a lethality of up to 20% due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This latter condition is a relevant concern for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); however, data on this topic are limited to few case series. Our objective was to evaluate in hospitalized patients with SLE and with COVID-19-associated ARDS (confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) the risk of mortality and combined poor outcomes (death, intensive care unit [ICU] admission, and/or mechanical ventilation [MV] use) and to compare with that of patients without SLE. METHODS: This is a nationwide cross-sectional study of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 nested in the national Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System (Sistema de Informação de Vigilância Epidemiológica da Gripe [SIVEP-gripe]). Mortality rates, frequencies of ICU admissions, and MV use for 319 patients with SLE and 251 800 patients without SLE were calculated as well as relative risks (RRs). A fully adjusted multiple logistic regression was performed to adjust factors, such as age and well-known comorbidities, that might impact worse outcomes. RESULTS: Patients with SLE had an increased risk of death and combined poor outcome compared with patients without SLE (RR = 1.738, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.557-1.914, and RR = 1.391, 95% CI: 1.282-1.492, respectively). Among all investigated comorbidities, SLE yielded the higher risk of death and combined poor outcomes (RR = 2.205, 95% CI: 1.780-2.633, and RR = 1.654, 95% CI: 1.410-1.88, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides novel evidence that patients with SLE hospitalized because of COVID-19 have significantly higher risks of death and poor outcomes compared with patients without comorbidities and patients with other comorbidities.

Renal histological findings in a patient with acute renal injury associated with purpura fulminans: a case report / Achados histológicos renais em paciente com injúria renal aguda associada à purpura fulminans: relato de caso

ABSTRACT Introduction: Purpura fulminans (PF) is a rapid progressive thrombotic disease in which hemorrhagic infarction of the skin and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) occurs. It can potentially cause acute kidney injury (AKI). However, there is no description in the medical literature of renal histological findings of PF. Case report: A 20-year-old female patient, previously healthy, was admitted to the emergency department (ED) with odynophagia, fever, generalized myalgia and anuria, which evolved with the appearance of purpuric plaques on the face and limbs. She required dialysis on admission. Laboratorial tests showed anemia, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, and elevation of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH). The purpuric lesions became bullous with ruptures and then necrotic and erosive, reaching the dermis, subcutaneous tissue and musculature, until bone exposure. There was no improvement with initial antibiotic therapy aimed at the treatment of meningococcemia. Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) and PF were then suspected. The patient remained in daily dialysis, requiring plasmapheresis. After sustained improvement of the thrombocytopenia, she underwent renal biopsy, which was not compatible with TMA, characterizing possible PF. A complete recovery of the renal function was achieved and cutaneous sequels were treated with grafts. Conclusion: When thrombotic and hemorrhagic phenomena overlap, obtaining a renal biopsy can be difficult. However, in the presented case, the biopsy allowed the exclusion of AKI caused by TMA, presenting for the first time, histological findings compatible with PF.

RESUMO Introdução: Purpura Fulminans (PF) é uma doença trombótica de rápida progressão, com infarto hemorrágico da pele e coagulação intravascular disseminada (CIVD). É potencialmente causadora de injúria renal aguda (IRA). Porém, não há descrição na literatura médica dos achados histológicos renais causados por PF. Relato de caso: Mulher, 20 anos, previamente hígida, hospitalizada por odinofagia, febre, mialgia generalizada e anúria, evoluiu com aparecimento de placas purpúricas em face e membros. Necessitou de hemodiálise (HD) já na admissão. Exames laboratoriais mostravam anemia, leucocitose, plaquetopenia e elevação de desidrogenase lática. As lesões purpúricas tornaram-se bolhosas com rompimento e progressão para necrose, se aprofundaram, atingindo derme, subcutâneo e musculatura, até a exposição óssea. Não houve melhora com antibioticoterapia inicial voltada para tratamento de meningococemia. Suspeitou-se, então, de microangiopatia trombótica (MAT) e PF. A paciente permaneceu em HD diária e necessitou também de plasmaférese, após melhora sustentada da plaquetopenia, foi submetida à biópsia renal, que não foi compatível com MAT, possivelmente caracterizando PF. Houve recuperação completa da função renal e as sequelas cutâneas foram tratadas com enxerto. Conclusão: Em casos nos quais os fenômenos trombóticos e hemorrágicos se sobrepõem, a obtenção da biópsia renal se torna difícil. Neste caso, a biópsia permitiu excluir IRA causada por MAT e mostrar, pela primeira vez, achados compatíveis com PF.

Renal histological findings in a patient with acute renal injury associated with purpura fulminans: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Purpura fulminans (PF) is a rapid progressive thrombotic disease in which hemorrhagic infarction of the skin and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) occurs. It can potentially cause acute kidney injury (AKI). However, there is no description in the medical literature of renal histological findings of PF. CASE REPORT: A 20-year-old female patient, previously healthy, was admitted to the emergency department (ED) with odynophagia, fever, generalized myalgia and anuria, which evolved with the appearance of purpuric plaques on the face and limbs. She required dialysis on admission. Laboratorial tests showed anemia, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, and elevation of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH). The purpuric lesions became bullous with ruptures and then necrotic and erosive, reaching the dermis, subcutaneous tissue and musculature, until bone exposure. There was no improvement with initial antibiotic therapy aimed at the treatment of meningococcemia. Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) and PF were then suspected. The patient remained in daily dialysis, requiring plasmapheresis. After sustained improvement of the thrombocytopenia, she underwent renal biopsy, which was not compatible with TMA, characterizing possible PF. A complete recovery of the renal function was achieved and cutaneous sequels were treated with grafts. CONCLUSION: When thrombotic and hemorrhagic phenomena overlap, obtaining a renal biopsy can be difficult. However, in the presented case, the biopsy allowed the exclusion of AKI caused by TMA, presenting for the first time, histological findings compatible with PF.