thalassemia minor and covid immunity

This condition is called anemia. Marhaeni W, Felicia FV, Sumadi Jap AL, Hartoyo E, Andayani P. Front Med (Lausanne). But you can still pass down the affected gene to future generations. One study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in April of 2021, reviewed nearly 108,000 COVID-19 cases. The third group includes people with Thalassemia minor, who have mild anaemia only. Torti L, Sorrentino F, Maffei L, De Fabritiis P, Abruzzese E. Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis. Thalassaemia International Federation . There are three types of thalassemia, one is minor and the other two Alpha and Beta thalassemia are a major threat to health of a person. Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited. 2021 Mar 1;16(1):114. doi: 10.1186/s13023-021-01757-w. Parakh N, Pahuja S, Singh V, Kumar N, Chandra J. J Paediatr Child Health. When a population has people with pre-existing immunity, as the T cell studies may be indicating is the case, the herd immunity threshold based on an R 0 of 2.5 can be reduced from 60% of a population getting infected right down to 10%, depending on the quantity and distribution of pre-existing immunity among people, Gupta's group calculated. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Al-Shamsi HO, Alhazzani W, Alhuraiji A, Coomes EA, Chemaly RF, Almuhanna M, Wolff RA, Ibrahim NK, Chua MLK, Hotte SJ, Meyers BM, Elfiki T, Curigliano G, Eng C, Grothey A, Xie C. Oncologist. 2020;91(3):e2020007. Impact of IFN-1a in treatment of a COVID-19 patient with beta thalassemia and diabetes mellitus: A case report. We studied 255 positive COVID-19 participants unvaccinated against severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), consecutively . The current evidence suggests that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the risk of side effects for most people with autoimmune disease, according to the Global Autoimmune Institute, which reviewed the available scientific literature. Unable to load your collection due to an error, Unable to load your delegates due to an error, Strategies to enhance information sharing between healthcare professionals and patients and their families by developing communication channel and tools (A), setting up a protocol for answering patient queries (B) and maintaining a regular flow of quality information to patients (C) [Colour figure can be viewed at, Patient pathways during the pandemic: general pathway (left panel) and transfusiondependent patient pathway (right panel) [Colour figure can be viewed at, A proposed algorithm for the diagnosis of COVID19 in patients with haemoglobinopathies [Colour figure can be viewed at. The forgotten people with thalassemia in the time of COVID-19: South Asian perspective. In a preprint review of studies from late July 2022, researchers examined how beta thalassemia minor affects outcomes of COVID-19. A temporary drop in hemoglobin levels was noted 3 months after vaccination. A comprehensive update of ICET-A Network on COVID-19 in thalassemias: what we know and where we stand. Co-inheritance of -thalassaemia and -thalassaemia in a prenatal screening population in mainland China. "At the end of the day, we're still not sure if blood type makes a difference," said Dr. Russo. If symptoms occur, theyre likely to be mild. Symptoms of moderate anemia may include: Beta thalassemia is caused by a genetic mutation inherited from one or both of your parents. (2022). Learn more. In spite of those terrible limits, this systematic-review meta-analysis opens the way to the confirmation of a possible protection/immunity of beta-thalassemia carriers against COVID-19 concerning incidence and ICU admission markers [7,8]. Needs T, et al. Hemoglobin normally is made of four chainstwo alpha chains and two beta chains. Sotiriou S, et al. Would you like email updates of new search results? Chowdhury SF, Anwar S. Management of hemoglobin disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2022). Thalassemias are inherited disorders characterized by abnormal production of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. IgA is active against several pathogens, including rotavirus, poliovirus, influenza virus, and SARS-CoV-2. 2020; 10.1002/ajh.25840 [Epub ahead of print]. Here, experts weigh in on what you really need to know. Treatment is with corticosteroids. Still, you can pass on the disease to your child. Its also the only way to tell if youre a silent carrier. Some people with thalassemia have cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease). Learn more about its symptoms and how it's diagnosed. Epub 2022 Jul 5. When looking into thalassemia and COVID-19 risk, it's important to identify both the risk of potential exposure and susceptibility. Lynne Eldrige, MD, is a lung cancer physician, patient advocate, and award-winning author of "Avoiding Cancer One Day at a Time.". Blood banking and transfusion medicine challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. There is some limited evidence that certain types of thalassemia may offer some protection against SARS-CoV-2. ; 4 Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences . Key areas covered include patients' risk level, adaptation of haemoglobinopathy care, safety of blood transfusions, blood supply challenges, and lifestyle and nutritional considerations. Regardless of if a specific blood type is associated with a greater risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe disease, keep in mind that many other factors, such as age or existing health conditions, are likely to play a larger, dominant role in determining personal risk from COVID-19. April 21, 2020. According to the CDC, people shouldnt get vaccinated if they have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. 2020;105(1):1623. (2014). Does Anemia Cause Weight Loss or Weight Gain? (2020). Thalassemia: Complications & treatment. People with thalassaemia produce either no or too little haemoglobin, which is used by red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body. Yes. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. They also indicate that haemochromatosis type 1 might confer some protection. -Thalassemia is the most prevalent single gene blood disorder, while the assessment of its susceptibility to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) warrants it a pressing biomedical priority. To begin, think of something you've had time to do that you'd otherwise not have time for, or something you learned. If your MCV is too low, they may order further blood tests to check for thalassemia trait. These antigens help prompt a response from your body's immune system. Many times people with thalassemia are prescribed a supplemental B vitamin, known as folic acid, to help treat anemia. 1 Platt L, Warwick R. Are some ethnic groups 2020;40(4):587-601.doi:10.1016/j.cll.2020.08.013, Hossain MS, Raheem E, Siddidqee MH. Objectives: Many patients with haemoglobinopathies, including thalassaemia and sickle cell disease, are at increased risk of developing severe complications from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Conclusions: The forgotten people with thalassemia in the time of COVID-19: South Asian perspective. eCollection 2022 Aug. See this image and copyright information in PMC. In a 2022 study, researchers found that people with beta thalassemia minor had a higher chance of dying from COVID-19 than people in the general population. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have thalassemia trait, it means you carry a genetic mutation that causes thalassemia, but you dont have the disease yourself. EHA and TIF Explore How COVID-19 Is Affecting Thalassemia and SCD Patients. Thalassemia results from an affected gene that causes the problem with hemoglobin. Learn more about beta-thalassemia trait and pregnancy. If the inherited mutation affects only one gene, you are a silent carrier for alpha-thalassemia. FOIA The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Thalassemia International Federation urge people with thalassemia to get the COVID-19 vaccine. government site. Other types of thalassemia cause more severe symptoms that can be found earlier in life, usually before a child is . I declare no competing interests. Jean-Mignard E, et al. eCollection 2023. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. Kakkar S, et al. People with the most severe form of the disease may require regular blood transfusions. People with certain medical conditions. People with the intermedia or major forms of the disease have HBB mutations from both parents. If you have a family history of thalassemia, you may want to know whether you carry the trait. Additionally, COVID-19 has complicated some treatments for thalassemia, such as the availability of lifesaving blood transfusions. "All may acquire COVID-19 and all should take the recommended precautions to reduce the risk.". There are some theories on why there could be a link: Your red blood cells are covered with molecules that are known as antigens, Thomas Russo, MD, professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo, told Health. Beta thalassemia minor or thalassemia trait. They also may have antiviral effects and positive effects on the immune system, particularly with RNA viruses (viruses that have RNA as its genetic material, such as the virus causing COVID-19). Home isolation in transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients with SARS CoV2 infection: Experience from a developing country. It is caused by genetic defects that control the production of hemoglobin. In fact, some medications used for thalassemia may actually be helpful. Early in the pandemic, two studies published in the Blood Advances journal in October 2020 showed a possible link between blood type and vulnerability to COVID-19. (2022). They also shouldnt get it if they have a known allergy to a component of the vaccine. They do not require any specific treatment. Therefore, it is unknown if COVID-19 vaccines are as efficacious for patients with thalassemia as they were found to be for the clinical trial participants . Beta-thalassemia trait is less common. For people living with thalassemia, because too much iron may build up in the blood, foods high in iron may need to be limited. For example, some of the common complications and coexisting conditions caused by thalassemia may also worsen COVID-19. With thalassemia trait, your red blood cells are smaller than those in people who dont have the trait. People with beta thalassemia may be at a higher risk of developing severe disease or death, but studies are conflicting at this time. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder caused by an inherited mutation in your HBB gene. How do I know if I have thalassemia trait? What Blood Tests Can Help Diagnose Sjgrens Syndrome? fatalities for sickle cell anaemia carriers and for -thalassaemia carriers. Thalassemia is a blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin. 2020;7:306.doi:10.3389/fmed.2020.00306, Mungmunpuntipantip R, Wiwanitkit V. Hemoglobinopathy and COVID-19, Hematol Transfus Cell Ther. COVID-19. That means your genetic sex (based on which sex chromosomes you have) doesnt influence whether you inherit the condition. Am J Hematol. Noun P, Ibrahim A, Hodroj MH, Bou-Fakhredin R, Taher AT. In order of increasing severity, its classified as: People with beta thalassemia minor usually dont develop symptoms and have mild anemia. Genetic correction of concurrent - and -thalassemia patient-derived pluripotent stem cells by the CRISPR-Cas9 technology. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccination for people with beta-thalassemia or . Scientists use + to indicate a gene mutation that lowers production and 0 to indicate a mutation that causes the gene to be absent. Experts estimate 1.5% of the worlds population to be carriers. Thalassemia trait, aka thalassemia minor, usually doesnt cause health issues. People with thalassemia tend to experience similar complications from COVID-19 as those without thalassemia. 2020;15(1):265.doi:10.1186/s13023-020-01543-0, Piga A, Perrotta S, Gamberini MR, et al. . Clipboard, Search History, and several other advanced features are temporarily unavailable. (2022). It could be that antigens for people with type O blood block the spike protein in SARS-CoV-2, and keeps it from entering into your cells, said Dr. Russo. A large repertoire of IgA is produced by B lymphocytes with T-independent and T-dependent mechanisms useful in defense against pathogenic microorganisms and to reduce immune activation. Six had their spleens removed. Last medically reviewed on April 6, 2023. 2021.doi:10.1016/j.htct.2021.04.003, Dalamaga M, Karampela I, Mantzoros CS. This shortage has been of even greater concern in South Asia (due to a high incidence of beta-thalassemia), where it's been estimated that 200,000 people depend on regular blood transfusions to manage their condition. Care of patients with hemoglobin disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic: An overview of recommendations. Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Several genes contribute to the production of hemoglobin. Mark S. Lesney. Possible symptoms include: Doctors sometimes mistake symptoms of thalassemia trait for iron deficiency. If you have concerns, speak with a doctor or healthcare professional about your individual risks. There has also been a shortage at other steps in the process, such as personnel available to perform collections, as well as process and deliver donated blood. The vaccines cannot give you COVID-19. See additional information. Thalassemia Benefits. Thalassemias. The ways that a healthcare provider diagnoses thalassemia depends on the type of thalassemia you have. How Might Swollen Glands Be a Sign of COVID-19? Severe thalassemia used to be fatal by early adulthood, but now people frequently live into their 60s or beyond. The use of corticosteroid medications (such as prednisone) can have both positive and negative effects and must be carefully weighed in people with thalassemia. Risk of transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by transfusion: A literature review. Impaired immune cell . Lets look at why and what you can do about it. It's not known whether blood clots with COVID-19 are more common among people with thalassemia, but healthcare providers should be aware of this potential risk. There are very few medications that are contraindicated (should not be used) in people who may be exposed to SARS-CoV-2 or who have developed a COVID-19 infection. National Library of Medicine Vaccines can help people with beta thalassemia lower their chances of getting COVID-19 or having severe illness if they do get COVID-19. Symptoms can range from none at all to severe anemia that requires frequent blood transfusions. marion.cook@wanadoo.fr. Thalassemia may cause you to experience anemia-like symptoms that range from mild to severe. The first study, conducted by . Some genes contribute to the alpha chain, while others contribute to the beta chain. As an example, on March 17, 2020, the Red Cross announced that their blood reserves were reduced by around 80% in the United States due to canceled donations and reduced distribution. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. This blood disorder causes your body not to produce enough hemoglobin. 2020 John Wiley & Sons A/S. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the Luspatercept improves hemoglobin levels and blood transfusion requirements in a study of patients with -thalassemia. Thalassemia patients also tend to have complications and coexisting conditions that may put them at an increased risk of severe outcomes, such as hospitalization and death, if they do become infected with COVID-19. Prevention measures are very important. Some of these release special . While there are no specific guidelines at this time, some researchers believe that hemoglobin levels should be monitored closely in people with thalassemia if they develop COVID-19, even when symptoms are only mild. Here are some frequently asked questions people have about beta thalassemia and COVID-19 vaccines. It's important to note that complications of thalassemia likely played a role in the severity of outcomes. If you're living with thalassemia, you may be at greater risk for serious outcomes of COVID-19. Methods: Am J Hematol. Acta Biomed. Metabolism. (2022). PMC Thats because two genes, HBA1 and HBA2, are responsible for making hemoglobin alpha. A second dose of Pfizer or Moderna at least 4 weeks after 1st dose, less susceptibility to developing COVID-19, fewer intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, higher susceptibility to dying from COVID-19, surgery to remove your spleen or gallbladder. People with severe forms of beta thalassemia may be at a higher risk of developing severe illness than people in the general population if theyre infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. Indian Pediatr. (2021). Prevalence and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in transfusion dependent and non-transfusion dependent -thalassemia patients and effects of associated comorbidities: an Iranian nationwide study. As thalassemia is considered to be a severe underlying medical condition , both adults and children with thalassemia were excluded from the COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials. Ruangvutilert P, et al. (Note: The overall mortality rate for COVID-19 is currently less than 1%.). 2021;16(1):114.doi:10.1186/s13023-021-01757-w. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. This can make them very anaemic (tired, short of breath and pale). People with thalassemia trait dont usually have symptoms. Beta thalassemia. Disclaimer. An official website of the United States government. Thalassemia is a blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin. However, more epidemiological studies are required in the aim to obtain a strong signal. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Current recommendations for those in the United States is that iron chelation therapy be continued unless symptoms of COVID-19 develop. It causes anemia. A recent pre-print study has showed a heme attack on the 1-beta chain of hemoglobin by COVID19. Here's What You Need to Know, Omicron Infection Timeline: When Symptoms Start and How Long They Last. Autosomal means the affected genes arent on sex chromosomes. Transfusion. Eating nutritious foods is important for everyone to maintain a healthy lifestyle - a diet, high in fruits and vegetables and low in fats is ideal for gaining the essential nutrients our bodies need. Blood. Since those studies, a fair amount of research has been conducted on blood type and COVID-19 risk. The researchers found that people with beta thalassemia minor had: However, the researchers didnt find statistical significance for any of these parameters, so no definitive conclusions can be drawn from the study. If you have minor or no symptoms, your provider may suspect thalassemia based on the results of a routine blood test. A Southeast Asian perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic: hemoglobin E (HbE)-trait confers resistance against COVID-19. (Source: File Photo) For almost a week now, Delhi resident Komal Mehta has been making frantic calls for O-negative blood for her 16-year-old son, a thalassemia major, who requires a blood transfusion every 21 days.While his blood transfusion of two units was to take place on March 13, Mehta has not been able to . But you can pass the gene on to future generations. Clin Lab Med. To inherit thalassemia, both your parents must pass down the affected gene to you. (2022). There have been multiple studies on blood types and COVID-19 risk. In a webinar designed to guide physicians in the care of hematology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, three world experts on thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD) provided on-the-ground information from physicians who were . People with beta thalassemia minor might never know they have the disease. Orphanet J Rare Dis. We avoid using tertiary references. What Are the Symptoms of Antiphospholipid Syndrome? Med Sci Monit Basic Res. In order to better describe the frequency and manifestations of COVID-19 in thalassemia patients living in France, we report the cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection that occurred during the year 2020. According to this systematic-review meta-analysis, beta-thalassemia carriers could be less affected by CO VID-19 than the general population and more susceptible to die from COVID-19 or one of its consequences. A simple blood test known as a complete blood count (CBC) could suggest whether or not you have thalassemia trait. The novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) is a contagious acute respiratory infectious disease whose causative agent has been demonstrated to be a novel virus of the coronavirus family, SARSCoV-2. Beta thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder in which a child has anemia. The clues have been mounting . The results provide hope that people receiving SARS-CoV-2 vaccines will develop similar lasting immune memories after vaccination. Most hemoglobin is made up of alpha and beta chains. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging infectious disease that has become a global public health concern after being first reported in China and has subsequently spread worldwide. But because reinfection is possible and COVID-19 can cause severe medical complications, it's recommended that people who . Beta thalassemia is the most common blood disorder caused by a mutation in a single gene. What to Know About Thalassemia and COVID-19. Thalassemia: Understanding the Inherited Blood Disorder, What Hemoglobin Does and Why It Is Important, When Iron Deficiency Anemia Is Not What It Appears to Be, What to Know About Chronic Kidney Disease and COVID-19, What to Know About Sickle Cell Disease and COVID-19, Treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), Iron Chelation Preparations and Side Effects, What to Know About Parkinsons Disease and COVID-19, Alpha Thalassemia Types, Diagnosis, and Treatment, What to Know About Organ Transplants and COVID-19, A comprehensive update of ICET-A Network on COVID-19 in thalassemias: what we know and where we stand, COVID-19. Published 2020 Sep 7. doi:10.23750/abm.v91i3.10063. Although epidemiologic evidence concerning the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection in these patients is currently lacking, the COVID-19 pandemic represents a significant challenge for . The second study (also from October 2020) from researchers in Canada looked at data from 95 patients who were severely ill with COVID-19. And while some people develop more severe forms of COVID-19, others develop mild or no symptoms. 2020 Jun;25(6):e936-e945. Orphanet J Rare Dis. Working with your healthcare team to keep up with thalassemia treatments, getting vaccinated, and monitoring and treating for complications early if COVID-19 symptoms do develop are the recommended strategies to staying healthy through the pandemic. However, certain issues, such as pneumonia and respiratory failure, blood clots, and heart-related complications, should be monitored for. Hemoglobin is the component of red blood cells that carries oxygen to the tissues of the body. This condition can cause abrupt changes in blood pressure or heart rate that may worsen a person's condition during a COVID-19 infection. Can Being Heterozygous for the Beta-Thalassemia Trait Affect Your Pregnancy? Thalassemia is an inherited (i.e., passed from parents to children through genes) blood disorder caused when the body doesn't make enough of a protein called hemoglobin, an important part of red blood cells. With more research, we may one day have a clearer understanding of the connection between COVID-19 and different blood types. While it's always helpful to know your blood type, most people won't necessarily need to know that information. Blood type has been identified as a risk factor in many diseases, from cancer to venous and arterial thromboembolism. "People with type O blood may be more susceptible to norovirus," said infectious disease expert Amesh A. Adalja, MD, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. Treatment may include regular blood transfusions. 2023 Feb 9;10:1056599. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1056599. In a 2021 pilot study, researchers found a strong association between the presence of beta thalassemia minor and COVID-19 mortality. In general, people with severe diseases are at a higher risk from COVID-19. People with thalassemia minor or trait usually do not need blood transfusions because they either do not have anemia or have only a mild anemia. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Strategies to enhance information sharing, Strategies to enhance information sharing between healthcare professionals and patients and their families, Patient pathways during the pandemic: general pathway (left panel) and transfusiondependent patient pathway, A proposed algorithm for the diagnosis of COVID19 in patients with haemoglobinopathies [Colour, MeSH Its severity varies greatly between people. If you're pregnant and heterozygous for beta-thalassemia, you may not need treatment, but there are still some things to consider for a healthy. Exemptions may be granted for people with severe allergies to COVID-19 vaccines or any of their components. 2019;133(12):1279-1289.doi:10.1182/blood-2018-10-879247, Yasara N, Premawardhena A, Mettananda S. A comprehensive review of hydroxyurea for -haemoglobinopathies: the role revisited during COVID-19 pandemic. Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder that is associated with a reduction in hemoglobin in red blood cells (RBCs) and, subsequently, insufficient oxygen reaching cells in . Blood transfusions are a mainstay of treatment for some people with thalassemia. On one side of the equation, glucocorticoids can slow the clearance of the virus from the respiratory tract. Researchers found inconsistent findings but did identify certain trends suggesting that blood type A might predispose one to increased susceptibility to infection with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), or that type O and Rh-negative blood groups might be protective.

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