@article{3a5e3422ae14471a9ed61595b6338b31,
title = "CoViD Vaccines and thrombotic events: Possibility of mRNA translation and spike protein synthesis by platelets?",
abstract = "There have been reports of haemorrhage, blood clots and thrombocytopenia following administration of CoViD-19 genetic vaccines. Platelets are anucleate cells that continue to defy conventional logic and involved in mRNA translation and protein synthesis. In our opinion, it is likely that RNA viruses (like SARS-CoV2, Dengue virus etc) can directly infect platelets and intracellular mRNA translation is a possible explanation for the autoimmune response against platelets. It is, therefore, not unreasonable to believe that the genetic CoViD vaccines may also directly infect platelets and megakaryocytes triggering mRNA translation and consequent spike protein synthesis intracellularly. This may lead to autoimmune response against platelets and megakaryocytes resulting in reticuloendothelial phagocytosis and direct CD8+ T cell lysis. It is, therefore, plausible that CoViD genetic vaccines may have a direct role in spurring autoimmune response against platelets that may clinically manifest in thrombocytopenia, haemorrhage, and blood clots. It, however, requires substantial evidence to confirm this hypothesis. Vaccines are one of the great discoveries in medicine that has improved life expectancy dramatically. Nonetheless, genetic vaccines are new, and their long-term safety evaluation is a key to identify potentially contraindicated group of subjects, for instance patients with history of blood disorders, history of thrombocytopenia or pre-existing immunological conditions.",
keywords = "COVID vaccine, Covid 19, Coagulopathy, Thrombosis, Thrombocytopenia, Haemorrhage, ITP",
author = "Hamid Merchant",
year = "2021",
month = mar,
day = "15",
language = "English",
volume = "372",
journal = "The BMJ",
issn = "0267-0623",
publisher = "British Medical Journal Publishing Group",
}