Objective. To assess the course and outcomes of COVID-19 in recipients of allogeneic and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Materials and Methods. The retrospective study included 44 adult recipients (allogeneic – 33 [75%] and autologous – 11 [25%] of HSCT who diagnosed with COVID-19 after transplantation. Group mostly represented by acute leukemia – 18 (41%) and lymphoma – 10 (22.7%). The median follow-up time since the development of COVID-19 was 231 days (1–818 days), after HSCT – 507.5 days (14–3723 days). Overall and progression-free survival was assessed using the Kaplan–Meier and Log-Rank method. We also evaluated the characteristics of the course of a new coronavirus infection. Results. Median time for the development of COVID-19 from the moment of HSCT was 122.5 days (-1–3490 days). Twelve patients (27.2%) were in grade 3–4 neutropenia at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis, 16 (36.4%) patients were in grade 1–2 neutropenia. Sixteen (48.4%) allo-HSCT recipients had active graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) at the time of COVID-19 development. Disease severity was mild in 19 (43.2%) and moderate in 13 (29.5%) patients. Overall, 200-day survival from the onset of COVID-19 was 78.8% (95% CI [63.1–88.4]). Anemia (p = 0.02) and thrombocytopenia (p = 0.01) significantly decrease OS in patients with COVID-19 after HSCT. Patients with GVHD at the time of COVID-19 onset had a better survival rate (p = 0.02). The timing of COVID-19 development after HSCT did not affect outcomes. Conclusions. The key points of the course of COVID-19 in HSCT recipients are the presence of cytopenia and graft-versus-host disease. Overall survival was 78.8%.

The importance of viral infections as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality is well documented in severely immunosuppressed patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation. By contrast, viral infections generally receive less attention in patients with malignant disorders undergoing chemotherapy, where the onset of neutropenic fever is mostly associated with bacterial or fungal infections, and screening for viral infections is not routinely performed. To address the occurrence of invasive viral infections in a clinical setting commonly associated with less pronounced immunosuppression, we have prospectively screened 237 febrile neutropenic episodes in pediatric (n = 77) and adult (n = 69) patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy, primarily for treatment of acute leukemia. Serial peripheral blood specimens were tested by RQ‐PCR assays for the presence and quantity of the clinically relevant viruses CMV, EBV, HHV6 and HAdV, commonly reactivated in highly immunocompromised patients. Viremia was documented in 36 (15%) episodes investigated, including the detection of HHV6 (n = 14), EBV (n = 15), CMV (n = 6), or HAdV (n = 1). While low or intermediate levels of viremia (<104 virus copies/mL) were commonly associated with bacterial or fungal co‐infection, viremia at higher levels (>104 copies/mL) was documented in patients without evidence for other infections, raising the possibility that at least in some instances the onset of fever may have been attributable to the virus detected. The observations suggest that viral infections, potentially resulting from reactivation, might also play a clinically relevant role in patients receiving chemotherapy for treatment of malignant neoplasms, and routine screening for viremia in this clinical setting might be warranted.

Background. In the expanding population of immunocompromised patients rare fungi have emerged as important pathogens, causing invasive infections associated with high morbidity and mortality. The number of publications on the invasive fungal diseases caused by rare pathogens (rare IFD) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and chemotherapy is limited. Patients and methods. We design the retrospective study in order to investigate the epidemiology of rare IFD in large cohort of patients after HSCT and chemotherapy for 11-year period. From 2008 to 2018 in R. Gorbacheva Memorial Institute of Children Oncology, Hematology and Transplantation (CIC725) were performed 3209 HSCT including 2118 allogeneic (allo-HSCT) and 1037 autologous HSCT (auto-HSCT). During the observation period 41 probable and proven rare IFD (EORTC/MSG 2008 criteria) cases were diagnosed in children and adults with hematological malignances and non-malignant hematological diseases after allo-HSCT (n=30), auto-HSCT (n=2), and chemotherapy (n=9). The median age was 24 (2-59) y.o., males - 61%(n=25). The median follow up time for rare IFD cases was 3 months; for survivors - 30 months. Results. Incidence of rare IFD in HSCT recipients was 1,3%, it was higher after allo-HSCT (1,4%) than auto-HSCT (0,2%) (p<0,002). In nine patients, this complication developed after CT and four of them proceed to allo-HSCT. The most frequent underlying diseases were acute lymphoblastic leukemia (32%) and acute myeloid leukemia (29%). The median time of onset of rare IFD after allo-HSCT was 104 (21-1057) days, auto-HSCT - 138 (60-216), after start of CT - 161 (79-189). Etiology of rare IFD was identified by culture in 61% cases: Rhizopus spp. - 44%, Paecilomyces spp. - 16%, Fuzarium spp. - 8%, Malassezia furfur - 8%, Trichosporon asahii - 4%, Scedosporium apiosperium - 4%, Scopulariopsis gracilis - 4%, Rhizomucor pusillus - 4%, mix rare IFD with Rhizopus spp. + Paecilomyces spp. - 4%, Paecilomyces spp. + Fuzarium spp. - 4%. 35% cases (mucormycosis) were diagnosed with microscopy. In 44% cases rare IFD developed after or in combination with invasive aspergillosis, and 2 patients had both preexisting invasive aspergillosis and co-infection with mucormycosis. The main site of infection were lungs (82%), the main clinical symptom - fever (95%). All patients were treated with antifungals: lipid amphotericin B - 32%, lipid amphotericin B + caspofungin - 23%, voriconazole - 15%, posaconazole - 12,5%, lipid amphotericin B + posaconazole - 10%, and echinocandins - 7,5%. Surgery was used in 10% patients. Overall survival at 12 weeks from the diagnosis of rare IFD was 51,2%. The 12-weeks overall survival was better in patients after CT and auto-HSCT (81%) than allo-HSCT (40%), p=0,025. Conclusions. The incidence of rare IFD in HSCT recipients was 1,3% and depends on type of transplantation. Rare IFD was a late complication after chemotherapy and HSCT and usually developed after or in combination with invasive aspergillosis. Higher incidence and worst prognosis of rare IFD was observed in allo-HSCT recipients. Disclosures Moiseev: MSD: Other: Travel grants; Pfizer: Other: Travel grants; Celgene: Consultancy, Other: Travel grants; BMS: Other: Travel grants; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel grants, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Other: Travel grants.

Please indicate where the abstract has been published before: The Lancet Infectious Diseases Background: Mucormycosis is a rare disease that may progress rapidly. Although urgent surgical and medical intervention is lifesaving, diagnosis is often delayed and mortality rates are high. Guidance on the complex multidisciplinary management has the potential to improve prognosis. Management pathways depend on recognising disease patterns and availability of diagnostic and therapeutic options. Aims: To address differences between the regions of the world, authors from 33 countries analysed published evidence on mucormycosis management and provide recommendations as part of the "One World One Guideline'' initiative. Methods: Consensus process involving experts from all UN regions, comprising physicians and scientists involved in various aspects of mucormycosis management, representing the fields of microbiology, pathology, radiology, infectious diseases, surgery, paediatrics, haematology, intensive care, dermatology, and pharmacology. Results: This guidance document provides practical help in clinical decision making and identifies areas of uncertainty and future research direction. Summary/Conclusion: Mucormycosis requires different tailored approaches in different regions of the world-This guidance document is the first in a series from One World One Guideline initiative.