SARS-CoV-2 in saliva, viremia and seroprevalence for COVID-19 surveillance at a single hematopoietic stem cell transplantation center: a prospective cohort study

ABSTRACT This prospective cohort study aims to analyze the surveillance of COVID-19 at a single hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) center in Brazil, in 29 patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT and 57 healthcare workers (nurses and dentists), through viral shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in saliva and plasma and seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG. In addition, we report two cases with prolonged persistent detection of SARS-CoV-2 without seroconversion. The sample collection was performed seven times for patients and five times for healthcare workers. Only two patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in their saliva and plasma samples (6.9%) without seroconversion. All healthcare workers were asymptomatic and none tested positive. Two patients (6.9%) and four nurses (8%) had positive serology. No dentists had positive viral detection or positive serology. Our results reflect a low prevalence of positive RT-PCR and seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in patients and healthcare workers at a single HSCT center. Results have also corroborated how the rigorous protocols adopted in transplant centers were even more strengthened in this pandemic scenario.

Implicações da covid-19 num serviço de transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas referência na américa latina / Implicaciones del covid-19 en un servicio de trasplante de células madre hematopoyéticas de referencia en américa latina / Implications of covid-19 in a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation service reference in latin america

Objetivo descrever as implicações ocasionadas pela pandemia COVID-19 num serviço de referência para Transplante de Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas na América Latina. Método estudo observacional, transversal, realizado entre março e outubro de 2020. Foram analisadas descritivamente as mudanças instituídas no serviço de transplante e comparadas com os protocolos de cuidado desenvolvidos por instituições internacionais e nacionais, e o reflexo dessas ações nos atendimentos ambulatoriais, nas internações, nos transplantes e na equipe multiprofissional. Resultados das 137 internações, 25 (18%) pacientes apresentaram sintomas respiratórios ou febre, dos quais 2 estavam positivos para SARS-CoV-2. Dos 72 profissionais, 8 (11%) foram contaminados, sendo 5 assintomáticos. Foram adotados novos fluxos de atendimento com o intuito de minimizar os riscos e a exposição, como o reagendamento de consultas e o adiamento de transplantes. Conclusão as intervenções realizadas mostraram-se eficientes e estão de acordo com as recomendações de órgãos nacionais e internacionais, no entanto, a constante vigilância é uma necessidade.

Objetivo describir las implicaciones causadas por la pandemia de COVID-19 en un servicio de referencia para el Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas en América Latina. Método estudio observacional transversal realizado entre marzo y octubre de 2020. Los cambios instituidos en el servicio de trasplante fueron analizados descriptivamente y comparados con los protocolos de atención desarrollados por instituciones internacionales y nacionales, y el reflejo de estas acciones en atención ambulatoria, hospitalizaciones, trasplantes y personal multiprofesional. Resultados de las 137 internaciones, 25 (18%) pacientes tenían síntomas respiratorios o fiebre, cuyo 2 eran positivos para SARS-CoV-2. De los 72 profesionales, 8 (11%) estaban infectados, con 5 asintomáticos. Se adoptaron nuevos flujos de atención para minimizar los riesgos y la exposición, como la reprogramación de citas y el aplazamiento de trasplantes. Conclusión las intervenciones realizadas fueron eficientes y están de acuerdo con las recomendaciones de los organismos nacionales e internacionales, sin embargo, la vigilancia constante es una necesidad.

Objective to describe the implications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in a reference service for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Latin America. Method observational, cross-sectional study conducted between March and October 2020. The changes instituted in the transplant service were descriptively analyzed and compared with the care protocols developed by international and national institutions, and the reflection of these actions in outpatient care, hospitalizations, transplants and multiprofessional staff. Results of the 137 hospitalizations, 25 (18%) patients had respiratory symptoms or fever, of which 2 were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Of the 72 professionals, 8 (11%) were infected, with 5 asymptomatic. New care flows were adopted in order to minimize risks and exposure, such as rescheduling appointments and postponing transplants. Conclusion the interventions performed were efficient and are in accordance with the recommendations of national and international bodies, however, constant surveillance is a necessity.