SARS-CoV-2 convalescent plasma therapy in pediatric patient after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Transfus Apher Sci. 2021 Feb;60(1):102983. doi: 10.1016/j.transci.2020.102983. Epub 2020 Nov 1.

Abstract

Immunocompromised patients, including HSCT recipients, may have a poor prognosis after contracting COVID-19 due to the absence of a pathogen-specific adaptive immune response. One of the possible options for severe COVID-19 treatment may be the transfusion of hyperimmune SARS-CoV-2 convalescent plasma. A 9-month-old girl with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia received an HSCT from a haploidentical donor. On day +99, during routine virologic monitoring, SARS-CoV-2 was detected without any clinical symptoms. On day +144, the child developed a polysegmental bilateral viral pneumonia with 60 % damage to the lung tissue and confirm a positive SARS-Cov-2 results in throat swab. The patient was treated with tocilizumab and three doses of fresh frozen plasma obtained from a SARS-CoV-2 convalescent patient. Therapy with tocilizumab and three doses of fresh frozen plasma was well tolerated. In spite of full resolution of the lung lesions, complete elimination of SARS-CoV-2 has not been achieved 4 months after the first detection, which is due to persistence of secondary immunodeficiency after HSCT and the lack of reconstitution of the adaptive immune response. This case represents a demonstration of an atypical course of COVID-19 and the delayed development of lung lesions, which was most likely associated with the features of the patient's immune status after HSCT. SARS-CoV-2 convalescent plasma in combination with other therapeutic approaches is one of the possible curative options for this clinical situation.

Keywords: COVID-19; Convalescent plasma; Immunocompromised patients; Pediatric; Stem cell transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Allografts
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / administration & dosage*
  • COVID-19 / blood
  • COVID-19 / etiology
  • COVID-19 / therapy*
  • COVID-19 Serotherapy
  • Female
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Immunization, Passive
  • Infant
  • Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Juvenile* / blood
  • Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Juvenile* / complications
  • Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Juvenile* / therapy
  • Plasma*
  • SARS-CoV-2 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • tocilizumab