Acute liver injury and IgG4-related autoimmune pancreatitis following mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination

Abstract

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a fibro-inflammatory disease that can affect multiple organs. Autoimmune pancreatitis type 1 is a manifestation of IgG4-RD and can often mimic tumor-like masses. Autoimmune phenomena following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination are being increasingly reported. Currently, there are no cases in which IgG4-RD involving the hepatobiliary system has been reported following the COVID-19 vaccination. We present the first case of IgG4-RD and AIP type 1 to be associated with the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination.

Introduction

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic fibroinflammatory disorder with multiorgan involvement that is associated with tissue infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells. The pathophysiology of IgG4-RD is not fully understood, but a mechanism of autoimmunity is strongly supported. Pancreatitis related to IgG4 disease is called autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) type 1 or lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis. The biliary tree can also be affected by IgG4-RD with cholangiographic presentations sometimes similar to primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Autoimmune manifestations following COVID-19 vaccination are being increasingly reported. However, the question of a direct relationship between the vaccine and autoimmunity remains unclear. Masset et al. describe a patient who was diagnosed with IgG4-related nephritis following the mRNA COVID-19 vaccination.^[1] However, there are no cases in which IgG4-RD involving the hepatobiliary system or AIP have been reported following COVID-19 vaccination. We report a case of a 63-year-old male who we believe developed the first case of IgG4-RD involving the pancreas (AIP type 1) shortly after receiving the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine.

Case Report

A 63-year-old African American male was in his normal state without any significant medical issues until 2021. He had received two doses of the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine in March/April 2021. In June 2021, he presented with complaints of fatigue and a rapid 20 lb weight loss. At that time, he was found to be severely hyperglycemic, diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, and started on metformin. Liver enzymes were normal at that time. He denied a history of alcohol intake, illicit drug use or hepatotoxic medications, preexisting liver disease, or prior diagnosis of COVID-19. Bloodwork from 2020 showed a normal fasting blood sugar. The physical examination was unremarkable.

He was started on metformin and repaglinide, but his blood sugar remained uncontrolled. In September 2021, he was found to have liver enzyme abnormalities, and therefore repaglinide was stopped. However, he developed worsening jaundice and pruritus and was then referred to gastroenterology.

Routine blood examination revealed mild anemia, elevated transaminases (ALT 154 units/L >AST 86 units/L), and elevated alkaline phosphatase (169 units/L). Total bilirubin was 4.9 mg/dL with a direct bilirubin of 3.5 mg/dL (Table 1). Thyroid studies were normal. He was negative for hepatitis B and C. Chromogranin A, Ca 19-9, and CEA were normal. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgG4 levels were elevated to 1703 mg/dL (ref. range: 600-1540 mg/dL) and 679.9 mg/dL (ref range: 4-86 mg/dL), respectively.

Table 1.

Liver function panel pre- and posttreatment with steroid therapy

Pretreatment	Posttreatment*	Reference	range
AST	86	16	0–40 IU/mL
ALT	154	28	0–44 IU/mL
Alkaline phosphatase	169	100	44–121 IU/mL
Total bilirubin	4.9	0.4	0.0–1.2 mg/dL
Direct bilirubin	3.5	NA	0.0–0.4 mg/dL

^*: Posttreatment: Labs drawn following 4 weeks of steroid therapy (prednisone 40 mg daily); AST: Aspartate aminotransferase; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase

CT abdomen/pelvis revealed a hypervascular arterial enhancing pancreatic head mass measuring up to 5.5 cm with moderate intrahepatic biliary dilatation and mild common bile duct dilatation to the pancreatic head (Fig. 1a). Triple phase liver protocol showing a hypervascular arterial enhancing mass at the pancreatic head measuring up to 3.6 × 2.6 × 5.5 cm in the largest dimension (Fig. 1b, c). CT chest and neck did not demonstrate mass or adenopathy.

Figure 1.

(a) CT abdomen/pelvis with IV/PO contrast showing increased fullness to the pancreatic head with a hypo-enhancing mass-like lesion measuring up to 3 cm. (b, c) CT triple phase liver showing hypervascular arterial enhancing pancreatic head mass measuring up to 3.6 X 2.6 X 5.5 cm in the largest dimensions. (d) Compared with prior studies (previous images), the pancreas is no longer swollen and edematous, but appears somewhat atrophic. No definite enhancing masses are seen in the head of the pancreas.

He underwent an ERCP with biliary stent placement and endoscopic ultrasound-guided pancreas biopsy. The biopsy specimen was diffusely positive for IgG4 but was “overstained” and nondiagnostic. A liver biopsy was not obtained.

AIP was suspected given the absence of malignancy on biopsy, normal Ca 19-9 and CEA levels, and the very elevated IgG4 level. He was started on prednisone 40 mg daily with a tapering schedule. Within 4 weeks, liver enzymes became normal (Table 1). At 6 weeks, his prednisone was reduced to 15 mg daily, and imaging obtained at that time showed resolution of the pancreatic mass with continued normal liver transaminases (Fig. 1d). The patient felt well and had gained 10 lb. Biliary stent removal was planned.

Discussion

IgG4-RD is an uncommon, systemic autoimmune disease characterized by infiltration of IgG4-expressing plasma cells into involved organs resulting in chronic inflammation and fibrosis.^[2] AIP is the most common of its organ-specific manifestations. Pancreatic disease is seen in 60% of patients with IgG4-RD.^[3] Patients with AIP type 1 are typically in their sixth or seventh decade and are predominantly males. The most common presentation is painless obstructive jaundice, which has been reported in up to 70% of patients with AIP.^[4]

Among patients with AIP type 1, 70%-80% have elevated transaminases in a cholestatic pattern.^[5] Patients will typically have significantly elevated titers of IgG (>1800 mg/dL) and its subset IgG4 (>140 mg/dL).^[6] IgG4 levels greater than 140 mg/dL were 86% sensitive and 90%-96% specific for the diagnosis of AIP.^[7,8] Another study showed levels greater than twofold of normal (>280 mg/dL) were only found in 1% of patients with pancreatic cancer and 53% in AIP.^[9]

We believe that this case of AIP type 1 is likely a consequence of autoimmunity related to the COVID-19 vaccine. The temporal association with the vaccine could be coincidental, but the patient had completely normal blood sugar and liver tests 1 year earlier. The significantly elevated IgG4 level supports the diagnosis. The stain on the biopsy was compromised by “overstain” but was not negative. The patient developed insulin-dependent diabetes shortly after the COVID-19 vaccination. Abnormalities in endocrine function of the pancreas and diabetes mellitus are seen up to 78% in patients with AIP.^[10] Finally, a complete response following initiation of prednisone therapy further supports a diagnosis of IgG4 RD. Although evidence of a therapeutic response on imaging is typically seen as early as 2 weeks, imaging after 6 weeks of therapy showed complete regression of the pancreatic mass in our patient. Response to steroid treatment in patients with a high suspicion for AIP is considered HISORt (histology, images, serology, other organs involved, response to treatment) diagnostic criteria.^[11]

Several reports have highlighted an increased risk of immune diseases following mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination.^[12] Other vaccines, such as human papillomavirus, influenza, and hepatitis B, have been suspected of triggering autoimmunity through molecular mimicry.^[13] In regards to hepatobiliary disease, several cases of autoimmune hepatitis were reported in association with the COVID-19 vaccine, with one case ending in fulminant liver failure requiring liver transplantation.^[14,15] Interestingly, pancreatitis is a complication of COVID-19 as pancreatic cells express ACE-2 receptors, a target of the COVID-19 virus.^[16] Other studies have suggested that COVID-19 infection itself could trigger autoimmunity, but this patient did not have the infection at any point, to our knowledge.

In summary, we suggest that patients who present with new-onset diabetes mellitus or cholestasis with or without signs of obstructive jaundice in the era of widespread COVID-19 vaccination should be screened for IgG4-RD.

Informed Consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for the publication of the case report and the accompanying images.

Peer-review

Externally peer-reviewed.

Author Contributions

Concept – AHP, RA, ATL; Design – AHP, RA, ATL; Supervision – AHP, RA, ATL; Fundings – AHP, RA, ATL; Materials – AHP, RA, ATL; Data Collection and/or Processing – AHP, RA, ATL; Analysis and/or Interpretation – AHP, RA, ATL; Literature Search – AHP, RA, ATL; Writing – AHP, RA, ATL; Critical Reviews – AHP, RA, ATL.

Conflict of Interest

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Financial Disclosure

The authors declared that this study has received no financial support.