Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: Two cases from Germany with unusual presentation

Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a rare clinical condition that has emerged during the mass immunization against SARS-CoV-2. Reports indicate that VITT may also be induced by other vaccines, such as the human papillomavirus vaccine, or occur independently of vaccination. Its recognition requires a high index of suspicion, especially in patients presenting with thrombocytopenia and thrombosis several days after vaccination with an adenoviral vector-based vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Bleeding manifestations do not exclude VITT, as initially assumed. It is of great importance to perform the appropriate diagnostic tests early in the course of the disease, as false-negative results may occur and many aspects of VITT are not fully understood. These two cases from Germany demonstrate unusual presentations of VITT.