No transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a patient undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation from a matched-related donor with unknown COVID-19

The Hematology Department and its Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (HCT) program implemented several measures during COVID-19 outbreak in order to keep clinical activities with the maximum security for both donors and recipients. Nevertheless, there was a lack of evidence whether blood products and specifically bone marrow can cause transfusion-transmitted infection. Initially, there were many uncertainties and did not exist formal recommendations. Before official statements were available, we performed an allogeneic HCT in a 57-year-old male from a related matched donor in the incubation period of COVID-19 where the patient did not develop the disease. Actual epidemiology data suggest that transmission may occur early in the course of infection, even from asymptomatic patients in the incubation period. In our knowledge this is the first case report of an adult hematopoietic cell donor with COVID-19 in the incubation period where the transplant is successfully completed with no transmission of SARS-CoV-2. The low concentration of viral RNA in plasma of patients with COVID-19 could support the safety of blood products, including peripheral blood hematopoietic cells. In conclusion, blood products including hematopoietic stem cells are safe in the context of COVID-19 pandemic.