Adult paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination

EJHaem. 2022 Jun 15;3(3):992-995. doi: 10.1002/jha2.508. eCollection 2022 Aug.

Abstract

Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria (PCH) is an extremely rare subtype of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) in adults. PCH is caused by the biphasic Donath-Landsteiner (DL) antibody which fixes complement to red blood cells at low temperatures and dissociates at warmer temperatures, leading to complement-mediated intravascular hemolysis. Autoimmune hematological disorders including AIHA and immune thrombocytopenia have been reported to develop following the mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. However, PCH developing subsequent to mRNA vaccination has never been reported. We report a 59-year-old male who developed PCH approximately a month after his second mRNA COVID-19 vaccination.

Keywords: COVID‐19 vaccination; autoimmune disease; paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria.

Publication types

  • Case Reports