COVID-19 in posttransplant patients—report of 2 cases

COVID-19 pneumonia in a kidney transplant recipient successfully treated with tocilizumab and hydroxychloroquine

“…2 COVID-19 is considered as potentially having a more severe course in solid organ transplant recipients, due to the chronic immunosuppression these patients are exposed to for preventing rejection. Only a few reports of COVID-19 in kidney transplanted patients are currently available in the literature, [3][4][5][6][7] and prognosis and recommended management for these patients are unclear. Moreover, the impact of treatments other than best supportive care is unknown.…”

Facing COVID-19 in the hematopoietic cell transplant setting: A new challenge for transplantation physicians

“…Another report by Huang et al from China discussed the grave prognosis of two post-transplant patients (transplant done for acute myeloid leukemia, and end-stage renal failure) on immunosuppressants. Both patients went to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), developed multiorgan failure and eventually died [7]. An interesting finding of low T cell count was noted in both patients which could serve as a surrogate marker for poor prognosis, but this needs confirmation by further studies.…”

“…need to be considered and ruled out. Similarly, Huang et al suggested a low T cell count as a possible marker of poor prognosis in post-transplant recipients with COVID-19 [7]. However, their patients were already on steroids, cyclosporin-A and mycophenolate mofetil which can also lead to T cell depletion.…”

COVID‐19 in a patient with pre‐existing acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

“…Unexpectedly, patients with underlying haematologic malignancy are at higher risks for SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease progression. 5,9 Patients with leukaemia often have pulmonary infection, fever and haemocytopenia, which are similar to the symptoms of COVID-19. The similarity in the symptoms may confuse the diagnosis.…”

“…As reported by previous studies, patients with pre-existing health conditions are more likely to progress to severe COVID-19 pneumonia. 2,[5][6][7] Here, we report a COVID-19 case with preexisting acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).…”