First report of COVID‐19 reinfection in a patient with beta thalassemia major

Okar, Lina; Raza, Ahmad; Yassin, Mohamed A

doi:10.1002/ccr3.3682

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 11 publications

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“…Up to now, except for a single case report, this is the first cohort study screening thalassemic patients for SARSCov2 reinfection and confirms that patients with thalassemia who have recovered from COVID-19 can be reinfected. 10 All reinfections were less severe than primary and with a shorter duration of the second episode. 3/4 were diagnosed incidentally through random and routine testing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Epidemiological surveillance of SARSCov2 in β-Thalassemia Patients in the last two years: reinfection rate, insights and future challenges

Torti

Sorrentino

Maffei

et al. 2023

Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis

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Background: Although the association between comorbidities and the severity of COVID-19 infection has been extensively discussed, data on COVID-19 and hemoglobinopathies are still limited. SARS-Cov2 reinfections with severe acute respiratory syndrome have been described in the general population, usually with a milder outcome compared to the primary infection. The aim of our study was to determine the rate of reinfection and clinical features in a population of β-thalassemia patients. Results: Following the first infection, patients showed an adequate humoral immune response, however, all four patients are considered immune impaired owing to chronic transfusional support coupled with iron chelating treatment and splenectomy in three of the four.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Epidemiological surveillance of SARSCov2 in β-Thalassemia Patients in the last two years: reinfection rate, insights and future challenges

Torti

Sorrentino

Maffei

et al. 2023

Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis

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Deferasirox

2021

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COVID-19 infection and asymptomatic COVID-19 reinfection: case reportA woman in her 30s [exact age at the reaction onset not stated] developed COVID-19 infection during treatment with deferasirox as iron chelation therapy. Later, she developed asymptomatic COVID-19 reinfection during treatment with deferasirox.The woman, who had transfusion-dependent beta thalassaemia major (TD-BTM), hypothyroidism and type II diabetes mellitus, presented to the haematology department (at the age of 31 years) for follow-up and routine blood transfusion. Prior to the current presentation, she had been receiving treatment with deferasirox 1080mg daily [route not stated] as iron chelation therapy. Prior to the current presentation, she was previously admitted to the hospital with complaints of fever, sore throat, dyspnoea, fatigue and cough for duration of 4 days. The PCR via nasopharyngeal swab test for COVID-19 infection was found to be positive. The chest Xray revealed multiple subtle opacities in bilateral mid and lower zones suggestive of infective changes. Laboratory findings revealed low haemoglobin and albumin levels and slightly decreased RBC count; however, WBC, platelet, CRP, lymphocyte, D-dimer, LDH, ALT and AST levels were elevated. She also had significantly elevated ferritin levels. Based on these findings, COVID-19 infection secondary to the deferasirox therapy was considered.The woman was hospitalised for 12 days; however, no oxygen supplementation was required. At that time, she received an offlabel treatment with azithromycin 500mg twice daily for 7 days, dexamethasone 6mg daily for 7 days and SC enoxaparin sodium [enoxaparin] 40mg daily for COVID-19 infection. At that time, she also received blood transfusion and underwent splenectomy for TD-BTM. PCR test performed 19 days later was found to be negative, indicating improvement in COVID-19 infection. However, at the age of 31 years, she presented (current presentation) to the haematology department for follow-up and routine blood transfusion. On current presentation, she had been receiving treatment with deferasirox as iron chelation therapy for thalassaemia along with metformin/sitagliptin [sitagliptin/metformin], insulin, tramadol and levothyroxine sodium [levothyroxine]. On current presentation, she was found to be asymptomatic for COVID-19 infection, and her vital signs were found to be within normal range. Before admitting her for the blood transfusion, PCR via nasopharyngeal swab (performed 55 days after the initial PCR) was performed, which revealed positive result, indicating asymptomatic COVID-19 reinfection (recurrence of COVID-19 infection). At that time, she had low haemoglobin level and decreased RBC count; however, WBC, platelet and lymphocyte counts were elevated. She was admitted to the quarantine facility and was isloated; however, no oxygen supplementation was required. Additionally, she did not receive any specific COVID-19 treatment. PCR test performed 18 days later revealed negative results.

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