Successful Salvage Haploidentical Bone Marrow Transplantation in a Child With Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis, When the Previously Matched Unrelated Donor Tested Positive for SARS-CoV-2 on the Day of Stem Cells Collection.

ABSTRACT

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has made us adjust our standards and cope with unpredictable circumstances affecting the whole world, including the medical field. A 2-year-old boy diagnosed with X-linked lymphoproliferative disease type 2 with concomitant positive polymerase chain reaction test for Epstein-Barr virus-DNA was admitted to our transplant ward. His treatment scheme had to be modified at the last moment because of a donor disqualification due to a positive polymerase chain reaction result for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 just before the apheresis. We decided to perform salvage haploidentical bone marrow transplant from the patient's mother because it was the only possible option. Now, in a 5-month observation period after the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, our patient is in good general condition. His case convinced us to redirect our approach to transplant procedure preparation. Following the European Group of Blood and Marrow Transplantation recommendations, we use cryopreserved apheresis materials to ensure the availability of stem cell products before the start of a conditioning regimen.