Screening for SARS-COV-2 Using RT-qPCR in Patients with Hematologic Neoplasms Receiving Chemotherapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Infectious Diseases
• Hematology

Background:

• Patients with hematologic neoplasms (leukemias and lymphomas) are at high risk for severe COVID-19.
• Universal SARS-CoV-2 screening is recommended for these patients before treatment.
• This conflicts with guidelines prioritizing symptomatic testing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of routine SARS-CoV-2 screening using RT-qPCR in asymptomatic patients with hematologic neoplasms undergoing chemotherapy.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 56 RT-qPCR tests performed on asymptomatic patients with hematologic neoplasms before chemotherapy.
• Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and the diagnostic accuracy of RT-qPCR.

Main Results:

• Two out of 56 (3.5%) asymptomatic patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.
• One patient (1.8%) with a negative RT-qPCR result was not excluded from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Conclusions:

• The clinical benefit of universal SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR screening in asymptomatic patients with hematologic neoplasms receiving chemotherapy remains uncertain.
• Further research is needed to clarify optimal screening strategies for this vulnerable population.