SUMMARYThe rising success rate of solid organ (SOT) and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and modern immunosuppression make transplants the first therapeutic option for many diseases affecting a considerable number of people worldwide. Consequently, developing countries have also grown their transplant programs and have started to face the impact of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in transplant recipients. We reviewed the literature data on the epidemiology of NTDs with greatest disease burden, which have affected transplant recipients in developing countries or may represent a threat to transplant recipients living in other regions. Tuberculosis, Leprosy, Chagas disease, Malaria, Leishmaniasis, Dengue, Yellow fever and Measles are the topics included in this review. In addition, we retrospectively revised the experience concerning the management of NTDs at the HSCT program of Amaral Carvalho Foundation, a public transplant program of the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

In the COVID-19 scenario, patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) infected with SARS-CoV-2 may have an increased risk of death. Through a national multicenter study, we aimed to describe the impact of COVID-19 on the survival of HSCT recipients in Brazil. Eighty-six patients with a confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 (92% by RT-PCR) were included. There were 24 children and 62 adults receiving an autologous (n = 25) and allogeneic (n = 61) HSCT for malignant (n = 72) and non-malignant (n = 14) disorders. Twenty-six patients died, (10 on autologous (38%) and 16 patients (62%) on allogeneic group). The estimated overall survival (OS) at day 40 was 69%. Adults had decreased OS compared to children (66% vs 79%, p = 0.03). The severity of symptoms at the time of diagnosis, ECOG score, laboratory tests (C-reactive protein, urea values) were higher in patients who died (p < 0.05). In conclusion, HSCT recipients infected with SARS-CoV-2 have a high mortality rate mainly in adults and patients with critical initial COVID-19 presentation. These findings show the fragility of HSCT recipients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, the importance of adherence to preventive measures is evident, in addition to prioritizing the vaccination of family members and the HSCT team.

LS was curative in 68% of patients, with no statistically significant difference when performed before or after SLMTs. Outcomes remain challenging to predict preoperatively, with only a robust increase in platelet counts on short term being associated with long-term response.

Introduction. COVID-19 pandemic has spread worldwide and reached HSCT centers in many countries. The first proven case of COVID-19 in Brazil was diagnosed in São Paulo by the end of February 2020. The Brazilian Society of Marrow Transplantation (SBTMO) promptly published local recommendations for the diagnosis and management of COVID-19 in HSCT centers. We describe the main clinical findings and outcomes of SARS CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 in 22 HSCT recipients from two Brazilian HSCT centers, followed up for at least 14 days. Methods. The detection of SARS CoV-2 infection was performed by RT-PCR in all transplant candidates before admission, and in all HSCT recipients with respiratory symptoms. Other respiratory viruses were also investigated by direct fluorescent assay (DFA) or RT-PCR. COVID-19 was managed according to the SBTMO recommendations. Results. From March to June 2020, SARS CoV-2 infection was detected in 5 asymptomatic patients (29.4%) and COVID-19 was diagnosed in 17 HSCT recipients with respiratory symptoms (7 AUTO, 6 MRD, 5 MUD and 4 HAPLO) at a median of 94 days after HSCT (range -6 to +1,850). The asymptomatic cases at diagnosis remained so during follow-up. Two asymptomatic patients were receiving the conditioning regimen when SARS CoV-2 was diagnosed. The median age at diagnosis was 39,2 (1-72) years. Five patients were children (1-12 years) and 17 were adults (19-72 years). Eleven patients (50%) had comorbidities, the most frequent being diabetes and hypertension. Fever, cough and diarrhea were the symptoms more frequently observed and occurred in 13 (76.4%), 7 (41.2%), and 5 (29.4%) of the 17 symptomatic patients, respectively. Symptoms such as anosmia and dysgeusia, which have been frequently associated with COVID-19 were not observed in this series. Eleven of the symptomatic patients (64.7%) showed altered CT or X-ray at diagnosis. Glass ground opacities were the images more frequently seen (63.6%). The median lymphocyte count was 619.5 (0-2,604) /mL. C-reactive protein and d-dimer ranged from 0.65 to 339 ng/mL and from 0.39 to 4,530 mg/L, respectively. Four (18%) HSCT recipients died (1 AUTO, 2 HAPLO, 1 MRD). COVID-19 was the cause of death in two of them. In the remaining two HAPLO HSCT recipients, KPC co-infection followed by septic shock had a major role in patients' death. Median age of patients who died was 39 (11-59) years, and two of them had comorbidities (hypertension and chronic lung disease). Conclusions. Symptoms of COVID-19 mimic other respiratory virus infections and specific diagnosis is mandatory. Interstitial pneumonia was frequent (around 65%). Clinical outcome of SARS Cov-2 infection or COVID-19 was moderate in the majority of the patients in the present series. However, the mortality rates observed in HSCT recipients (14.3% in AUTO; 20% in ALLO) were higher than in general population. Asymptomatic cases were seen in almost 30% of the patients, suggesting that frequent screening is necessary to control transmission in HSCT centers. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

No abstract