# Characteristics of HPC(A) product obtained from a donor with SARS-CoV-2 infection and outcome of autologous transplant

## TL;DR

This paper reports a rare case where a hematopoietic stem cell transplant was successfully performed using cells collected from a donor during an acute but minimally symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection.

## Contribution

The study provides a rare clinical example of successful autologous transplant using HPC(A) collected during active SARS-CoV-2 infection.

## Key findings

- The HPC(A) product collected during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA.
- The donor underwent a successful autologous stem cell transplant using the collected product.
- This case suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection may not necessarily compromise the safety or outcome of autologous transplants.

## Abstract

Collection of hematopoietic progenitor cell products [HPC(A)] is deferred if the donor is symptomatic and tests positive for Covid-19. However, donor questionnaires are subjective and may miss minimally symptomatic donors. Alternatively, myalgia associated with Covid-19 infection can be falsely dismissed as an adverse effect of granulocyte stimulating factor (Filgrastim) administered prior to product collection. The likelihood of donors with an underlying acute but minimally symptomatic infection undergoing successful product collection is significant. In these circumstances, it is less known whether Covid-19 infection results in product viremia or alters the clinical outcome of transplant. We aimed to evaluate the above question by studying a donor whose product was collected during acute Covid-19 infection. Aliquots of the product tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay (RT-PCR). Importantly, the donor received an autologous stem cell transplant using the product collected at the time of infection, and their case will be described in this report. We describe one of the very few reports of successful transplant of HPC(A) product collected during acute Covid-19 infection.