Thrombotic Microangiopathy, Antibody-Mediated Rejection, and Posterior Reversible Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome in a Liver Transplant Recipient: Interplay Between COVID-19 and Its Treatment Modalities

Exp Clin Transplant. 2021 Sep;19(9):990-993. doi: 10.6002/ect.2021.0020. Epub 2021 Jul 16.

Abstract

The present COVID-19 pandemic is a cause for concern among solid-organ transplant recipients, who are generally at high risk for infection and for whom infection with COVID-19 carries additional risks for complications and mortality that are higher than the COVID-19-associated risks for the general population. We report the case of a liver transplant recipient who presented with COVID-19 and multiple complications. A 39-year-old woman with a liver transplant was diagnosed with COVID-19 within the first week after transplant surgery. Mycophenolate was withheld, and interferon β was administered for management of COVID-19. She developed thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, acute antibody-mediated rejection, and posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome during hospitalization. All of these complications may be related to COVID-19 or its management modalities. We considered 3 possible causes for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in this patient: the COVID-19 infection itself, immunosuppression treatment with cyclosporine, and treatment with interferon β. Immunosuppression reduction and interferon treatment may result in antibody-mediated rejection. COVID-19, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, and cyclosporine may play a combined role in the development of posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome. In conclusion, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, antibody-mediated rejection, and posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome may represent a continuum of 3 thrombotic microangiopathy conditions fostered by interplay between the COVID-19 infection and the treatment modalities for COVID-19 management in this patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • COVID-19 / complications*
  • Female
  • Graft Rejection / complications*
  • Humans
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome / complications*
  • Thrombotic Microangiopathies / complications*
  • Transplant Recipients