Infection in VEXAS Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation

VEXAS is a relatively newly described immunocompromising condition with hematopoietic stem cell transplant increasingly being used. Little is known regarding infections in this high-risk population.

We conducted a retrospective review of ten adult patients diagnosed with VEXAS who underwent HSCT in the Mayo Clinic Rochester and the Arizona medical record system.

Nine out of ten individuals developed bacterial infection with bacteremia found in eight individuals despite being on prophylaxis at the time of infection. Six of the ten individuals were found to have viral infection; there were no documented invasive fungal infections and only one individual had a parasitic infection.

Providers should have a high suspicion for infection, especially bacterial, in this patient population, regardless of prophylaxis use. Patients should also be educated on signs and symptoms of infection.