Geir Hetland

Geir Hetland


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
6 August 2022 in Vaccines
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
GHGeir Hetland
Geir Hetland
MFMagne Kristoffer Fagerhol
Magne Kristoffer Fagerhol
MWMarkus Karl Hermann Wiedmann
Markus Karl Hermann Wiedmann
ASArne Vasli Lund Søraas
Arne Vasli Lund Søraas
MMMohammad Reza Mirlashari
Mohammad Reza Mirlashari
NSNina Haagenrud Schultz
Nina Haagenrud Schultz
ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination has been associated with the rare side effect; vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT). The mechanism of thrombosis in VITT is associated with high levels of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). The present study examines whether key markers for NETosis, such as H3-NETs and calprotectin, as well as syndecan-1 for endotheliopathy, can be used as prognostic factors to predict the severity of complications associated with ChAdOx1 vaccination. Five patients with VITT, 10 with prolonged symptoms and cutaneous hemorrhages but without VITT, and 15 with only brief and mild symptoms after the vaccination were examined. Levels of H3-NETs and calprotectin in the vaccinated individuals were markedly increased in VITT patients compared to vaccinees with milder vaccination-associated symptoms, and a strong correlation (r ≥ 0.745, p < 0.001) was found with severity of vaccination side effects. Syndecan-1 levels were also positively correlated (r = 0.590, p < 0.001) in vaccinees to side effects after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination. We hypothesize that the inflammatory markers NETs and calprotectin may be used as confirmatory tests in diagnosing VITT.