COVID-19 during early phase of autologous stem cell transplantation

Abstract

We present one of few cases of COVID-19 occurrence during the early phase of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We observed an interesting correlation between the patient’s rapid clinical deterioration and myeloid reconstitution that cannot be assigned to engraftment syndrome. Our report emphasizes the need to investigate whether timely steroid therapy upon neutrophil engraftment in the setting of COVID-19 could limit the extent of lung injury and prevent ARDS. Furthermore, we discuss a significant issue of possible prolonged incubation of the virus in heavily pretreated hematological patients.