Evaluation of Serum Anticardiolipin Antibodies and D-dimer in Recipients of COVID-19 Vaccines in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) manifests itself in a variety of ways, implying a wide range of host autoimmune responses which could lead to disseminated intravascular coagulation. This study was designed to evaluate serum anticardiolipin antibodies and D-dimer in recipients of COVID 19 vaccines in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. The study population comprised sixteen (16) fully vaccinated subjects, fifteen (15) partially vaccinated subjects and fifteen (15) unvaccinated subjects (control). Anticardiolipin antibodies and D-dimer were analyzed using ELISA. D-dimer and anticardiolipin antibodies were significantly higher in fully and partially vaccinated subjects compared to control (p<0.05). D-dimer and anticardiolipin were insignificantly higher in fully vaccinated subjects compared to partially vaccinated subjects (p>0.05). Anticardiolipin and D-dimer were significantly higher in recipients of mRNA vaccines compared to viral vector vaccines (p<0.05). This study discovered that recipients of the COVID-19 immunization have a higher risk of developing antiphospholipid syndrome due to increased anticardiolipin. If disseminated intravascular coagulations is present and its complications are not adequately handled, this could become more serious