SARS-CoV-2 infection in cystic fibrosis: A multicentre prospective study with a control group, Italy, February-July 2020

Abstract

Objective To describe the symptoms and clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Methods We carried out a prospective multicentre cohort study based on 32 CF centres and 6597 patients. Centres were contacted to collect baseline and follow-up data of patients who reported symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 or who had contact with a positive/suspected case between the end of February and July 2020. Symptoms and clinical course of the infection were compared between patients who tested positive by molecular testing (cases) and those who tested negative (controls). Results Thirty patients were reported from the centres, 16 of them tested positive and 14 tested negative. No differences in symptoms and outcome of the disease were observed between groups. Fever, cough, asthenia and dyspnea were the most frequently reported symptoms. Eight cases (50%) were hospitalized but none required ICU admission. Two adults with a history of lung transplant required non-invasive ventilation, none required ICU admission and all patients fully recovered without short-term sequelae. Conclusions The course of SARS-CoV-2 in our patients was relatively favorable. However, COVID-19 should not be considered a mild disease in CF patients, particularly for those with severely impaired respiratory function and organ transplant.

Risk factors for severe COVID-19 in people with cystic fibrosis: A systematic review

“…In Colombo’s study, organ transplantation status and need for oxygen therapy before SARS-CoV-2 infection has been identified as the major risk factors for hospitalization ( 11 ). The prognostic role of organ transplantation, partially explained by the use for immunosuppressants, had also been described in earlier studies, in which organ recipients were found to have higher hospitalization rates, need for ICU and risk of death ( 6 , 7 , 14 ).…”

Clinical course and risk factors for severe COVID-19 among Italian patients with cystic fibrosis: a study within the Italian Cystic Fibrosis Society

“…As previously reported for the first pandemic wave [ 20 ], CF patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 presented unspecific symptoms, which could have been easily mistaken for a typical pulmonary exacerbation. However, for a non-negligible share of the symptomatic population (∼15%), they lasted more than one month.…”

“…However, for a non-negligible share of the symptomatic population (∼15%), they lasted more than one month. In addition, during the first wave of the pandemic, most COVID-19 cases were reported in Northern Italy [ 20 ], while during the subsequent waves, all the Italian centers involved in this study documented COVID-19 cases.…”

SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among people with cystic fibrosis prior to the vaccination campaign: A seroprevalence study in two specialized centres in Northern Italy

“…Studies on the clinical course of COVID-19 in this population show that most infected patients fully recovered without shortterm sequalae, although COVID-19 can be a serious illness in those with severe lung disease and organ transplantation [2][3][4][5] .…”