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Updated: Dec 8, 2025
Isolation and Transplantation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells HSCs
Published on: February 25, 2007
COVID - 19 post Hematopoietic Cell Transplant, a Report of 11 Cases from a Single Center
Alfadil Haroon1, Momen Alnassani1, Mahmoud Aljurf1
1Oncology Centre, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, KSA.
Insights
Hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients infected with SARS-CoV-2 generally experience mild to moderate COVID-19. This study found no severe cases requiring ventilation among 11 HCT patients, suggesting a potentially better prognosis than initially feared.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
- Transplantation Immunology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, poses a significant threat to immunocompromised populations.
- Hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients are severely immunocompromised due to their underlying condition and treatment, raising concerns about their susceptibility and outcomes with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Observation:
- This study reports on 11 sequential HCT recipients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Patient ages ranged from 17 to 60 years, with varying times post-transplant (day +5 to 192 months).
- The cohort included recipients of allogeneic (allo-HCT), autologous (auto-HCT), and combined allo/auto-HCT.
Findings:
- Presenting symptoms of COVID-19 in HCT recipients were similar to those in the general population.
- The majority of patients (7/11) experienced mild COVID-19, and 3/11 had a moderate stage.
- Notably, none of the HCT recipients in this cohort required oxygen supplementation or mechanical ventilation.
Implications:
- These findings suggest that HCT recipients may have a less severe clinical course of COVID-19 than initially anticipated.
- Further research is warranted to understand the specific factors influencing outcomes in this vulnerable population.
- The results may inform clinical management strategies and risk stratification for HCT recipients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Abstract:
In late 2019 the coronavirus disease - 2019 (COVID - 19) pandemic caused by SARS Coronavirus 2 (SARS - CoV - 2) started in Wuhan, China. Life has changed radically since then. Data emerging from the first hit countries show a tendency for a complicated course and higher mortality in some subgroups of infected patients. Cancer patients are immunosuppressed from their disease and the therapy they receive. Hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients are a subgroup of patients that are severely immunocompromised and may be at an even higher risk of a complicated course during this infection. Reports describing the course of these patients with COVID-19 disease are limited. We herein report the onset, progression, and outcome of 11 sequential cases of HCT recipients infected by SARS - CoV - 2 treated in our center. The patients' age ranged from 17 to 60 years, the duration from transplant to infection ranged from day +5 to 192 months, six patients were post-allo-HCT, four post-auto-HCT, and one had both allo and auto-HCT. The presenting symptoms were not different from other viral illnesses. The majority (seven patients) had mild COVID-19 stage, while 3 had a moderate stage on presentation. None of the patients required oxygen supplementation nor mechanical ventilation.
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