Neutropenia and SARS-CoV-2 infection, A review of the literature

Abstract

According to reports, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with various complications, including hematological abnormalities. Lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia have been recognized as common hematological abnormalities. Moreover, some reports have shown cases of neutropenia occurring during or after infection with SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). Neutropenia is a condition characterized by a decrease in the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) to less than 1500/µ. Although neutropenia has been considered a rare complication of SARS-Cov-2 infection, it is important to closely monitor patients and thoroughly investigate all laboratory findings, particularly in those with severe COVID-19. This will allow for effective therapeutic intervention and appropriate disease management in challenging conditions. In this study, our aim was to conduct a comprehensive review of the current literature on neutropenia during or after SARS-CoV2 infection. Furthermore, we assessed whether there have been any documented cases of immune-mediated neutropenia following COVID-19 and if the appropriate laboratory investigations have been carried out in these patients.