Covid-19 in Patients with Hematological Disorders: An Italian Single Center Experience before Covid-19 Vaccination

Abstract

Background: A novel severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-like coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has emerged as a human pathogen, causing global pandemic and resulting in over 400,000 deaths worldwide. In the literature, there are several reports in patients with cancer and COVID-19 infection. These studies demonstrated that patients with solid tumors had a higher risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 infection, because of their systemic immunosuppressive state, caused by the malignancy and anticancer treatments, such as chemo therapy or surgery. On the contrary, very few data are available on COVID-19 outcomes in patients with hematologic diseases. Methods: We report data on 5 patients with hematological disease referred to a single medical hematology unit of a general hospital from January and October, 2020. During 2020, no vaccines were available. Results: Five patients were on active cancer therapy during the infection. Overall 5 patients developed pneumonia and all patients are alive. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study, which describes a small local experience, show how patients suffering from hematological diseases can contract covid infection and that in times of pandemic, it is important to maintain social distancing and think about a reduction in hospital visits. In this out-patient setting, it is important to reduce hospital admission as it is a potential risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection.