Protein C deficiency with venous and arterial thromboembolic events

Protein C(PC)is a key component of the vitamin K-dependent coagulation pathway.It exerts anticoagulant effects by inactivating factors V and VIII.Acquired or inherited PC deficiency results in a prothrombotic state,with presentations varying from asymptomatic to venous thromboembolism.However,there has been an increasing number of reports linking PC deficiency to arterial thromboembolic events,such as myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke.This editorial focuses on the association between PC deficiency and thromboembolism,which may provide some insights for treatment strategy and scientific research.

A Budd-Chiari Syndrome Due to C Protein Deficiency: A Case Report at YaoundéGeneral Hospital (Cameroon)

Primary Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a spontaneously fatal disease characterized by an obstruction of the hepatic venous outflow tract due to thrombosis or a primary disease of the venous wall. The primary form of BCS is extremely rare. This is a disease mainly affecting young adults of both sexes. Clinical manifestations are variable;they can be asymptomatic, acute, or subacute but mostly chronic. Several causes have been identified, such as myeloproliferative syndrome, antiphospholipid syndrome, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, and inherited thrombotic disorders. Data on primary BCS in Sub-Saharan Africa is rare as most publications available are case reports. In these reports, the causes are unknown with poor prognosis in most cases often leading to patient death. We herein present a case report of a male patient diagnosed with a primary BCS at Yaoundé General Hospital (Cameroon) caused by a Protein C deficiency who presented with ascites decompensating liver cirrhosis. Treatment was based on anticoagulants, diuretics and laxatives administration. Two years after the diagnosis, the patient is alive with clinical and paraclinical improvement.

Livedoid Vasculopathy Secondary to Protein C Deficiency:A Case Successfully Treated With Rivaroxaban

Introduction:Livedoid vasculopathy is a chronic noninflammatory skin disease secondary to hypercoagulable states.No therapeutic guideline has yet been established for livedoid vasculopathy.We herein report a case of livedoid vasculopathy secondary to protein C deficiency that was successfully treated with rivaroxaban.Case presentation:A 31-year-old Thai woman who had been diagnosed with livedoid vasculopathy 10 years previously presented with a 2-month history of worsening leg ulcers and failure to respond to aspirin,colchicine,and pentoxifylline.Further investigations confirmed protein C deficiency.Rivaroxaban was initiated,and clinical improvement was achieved in 8 weeks.Discussion:When livedoid vasculopathy is confirmed by skin biopsy,additional investigations for hypercoagulable states should be performed to exclude secondary causes.Identification of the causes of livedoid vasculopathy can direct physicians to therapeutic options based on previously reported cases of successful treatment.Our patient,whose livedoid vasculopathy was caused by protein C deficiency,responded well to rivaroxaban.Conclusion:Protein C deficiency results in a hypercoagulable state,and affected patients can present with livedoid vasculopathy.The anticoagulant rivaroxaban has been beneficial in the treatment of livedoid vasculopathy.

Systemic lupus erythematosus combined with primary hyperfibrinolysis and protein C and protein S deficiency:A case report

BACKGROUND Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)is an autoimmune disease characterized by systemic involvement and multiple autoantibodies in the serum.Patients with protein C(PC)and protein S(PS)deficiency are prone to thrombosis.In contrast,patients with primary hyperfibrino-lysis tend to bleed.CASE SUMMARY A 52-year-old female patient with bilateral pleural effusion was diagnosed with"tuberculous pleurisy"and treated with anti-tuberculosis drugs and prednisone.The coagulation-related laboratory results showed decreased fibrinogen,PC activity,PS activity,and antithrombinШactivity.The immune-related laboratory results showed positive antinuclear antibody,anti-Smith antibody,anticardiolipin antibody(ACL),anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibody(aβ2GPI)and direct Coomb’s test and decreased complement 3 and complement 4.Thoracoscopy was performed and bloody pleural fluid was drained.Pathology of the pleural biopsy showed lymphocytes,plasma cells,and a few eosinophils in adipose and fibrous connective tissue.Results of whole exome sequencing of blood showed no genetic mutations suggesting the presence of hereditary hematological diseases.The patient was finally diagnosed with SLE and primary hyperfibrinolysis,and was treated with prednisolone,hydroxychloroquine,and compound cyclophosphamide.CONCLUSION PC and PS deficiency in SLE might be related to ACL and aβ2GPI.SLE and primary hyperfibrinolysis can coexist in one patient,with both a risk of thrombosis and a risk of bleeding.

EFFECTS OF ANTICOAGULATION PROTEIN DEFECT IN MATERNAL PLASMA ON SPONTANEOUS ABORTION

Objective To investigate the mechanism of anticoagulation protein defect in the pathogenesis of unexplained recurrent miscarriage. Methods Fifty-seven patients with a history of unexplained abortion were enrolled as the investigation group for tests of protein C, protein S, antithrombinⅢ(AT-Ⅲ), as well as activated protein C resistance (APC-R). The control group con-sisted of fifty healthy women with a history of normal pregnancy and delivery. Blood samples were obtained for measuring serum activity of protein C, protein S, AT-Ⅲ, and APC-R. Patients with positive APC-R were tested for factorⅤ(FⅤ) Lei-den gene mutation by PCR-RFLP method. Results Of the 57 patients, 12 (21.1%), 1 (1.8%), and 5 (8.8%) cases were found with protein S, protein C, and AT-Ⅲdeficiency respectively, and 13 (22.8%) cases with positive results of APC-R. Of the control group, no protein C or AT-Ⅲdeficiency was ever found, whereas 2 (4.0%) volunteers were presented with protein S deficiency and 3 (6.0%) with positive results of APC-R. No FⅤLeiden gene mutation was identified in all the patients with positive APC-R results. Late spontan-eous abortion cases had higher incidence of anticoagulation protein defect than the early cases. Conclusion Anticoagulation protein defect may play a role in the pathogenesis of fetal loss, especially for those occurr-ing in late stage of pregnancy.

Acute myocardial infarction after initially diagnosed with unprovoked venous thromboembolism: A case report

BACKGROUND Protein C deficiency is typically associated with venous thromboembolism;however,arterial thrombosis has been reported in several cases.We report the case of a patient with pulmonary thromboembolism and deep vein thrombosis following acute myocardial infarction with high thrombus burden.CASE SUMMARY A 40-year-old man was diagnosed with pulmonary thromboembolism and deep vein thrombosis without any provoking factors.The patient was treated with anticoagulants for six months,which were then discontinued.Three months after the discontinuation of anticoagulant therapy,the patient was hospitalized with chest pain and diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction with high thrombus burden.Additional tests revealed protein C deficiency associated with thrombophilia.The patient was treated with anticoagulants combined with dual antiplatelet agents for 1 year after percutaneous coronary intervention,and no recurrent events were reported during a follow-up period of 5 years.CONCLUSION Recurrent thromboembolic events including acute myocardial infarction with thrombus should be considered an alarming sign of thrombophilia.

Combined liver-kidney transplantation for rare diseases

Combined liver and kidney transplantation(CLKT)is indicated in patients with failure of both organs,or for the treatment of end-stage chronic kidney disease(ESKD)caused by a genetic defect in the liver.The aim of the present review is to provide the most up-to-date overview of the rare conditions as indications for CLKT.They are major indications for CLKT in children.However,in some of them(e.g.,atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome or primary hyperoxaluria),CLKT may be required in adults as well.Primary hyperoxaluria is divided into three types,of which type 1 and 2 lead to ESKD.CLKT has been proven effective in renal function replacement,at the same time preventing recurrence of the disease.Nephronophthisis is associated with liver fibrosis in 5%of cases and these patients are candidates for CLKT.In alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency,hereditary C3 deficiency,lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency and glycogen storage diseases,glomerular or tubulointerstitial disease can lead to chronic kidney disease.Liver transplantation as a part of CLKT corrects underlying genetic and consequent metabolic abnormality.In atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome caused by mutations in the genes for factor H,successful CLKT has been reported in a small number of patients.However,for this indication,CLKT has been largely replaced by eculizumab,an anti-C5 antibody.CLKT has been well established to provide immune protection of the transplanted kidney against donor-specific antibodies against class I HLA,facilitating transplantation in a highly sensitized recipient.