(ANSA) - ROME, APRIL 13 - A rare immune response which in turn resembles a rare reaction to the drug heparin, could be at the basis of the cases of thrombosis that occurred in some of the vaccinated with Astrazeneca.
This was reported by the website of the British Medical Journal, which is based on two studies published by the New England Journal of Medicine.
The first survey involved 11 patients from Austria and Germany with an average age of 36 who developed blood clots and low platelet levels between 5 and 16 days after vaccination: all patients had thrombosis, and 6 died.
In all 11 antibody-heparin (PF4) was detected, which is normally found in people who develop thrombocytopenia (rare reaction to the anticoagulant heparin drug).
"Whether these antibodies are autoantibodies against PF4 induced by the strong inflammatory stimulus of vaccination, or vaccine-induced antibodies interacting with PF4 and platelets requires further study," said Andreas Greinacher of the University of Griefswald in Germany, one of the authors of the research. suggested that the possible activation of PF4 could be free DNA in the vaccine.
The second study, conducted in Norway, was based on the examination of 5 employees in the health sector between 32 and 54 years of age.
All had high levels of PF4 and no previous exposure to heparin.
Four had a brain hemorrhage and three lost their lives.
Both research groups have suggested to doctors that they should request tests more frequently to detect the presence of anti-heparin PF4 antibodies in patients with unusual symptoms after vaccination.
They also recommend treatments with immunoglobulin and blood thinners other than heparin.
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