A VERY PROLONGED AND ULTIMATELY FATAL COURSE OF COVID-19 IN A PATIENT WITH LYMPHOMA

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TOPIC: Chest Infections TYPE: Global Case Reports INTRODUCTION: Recent data suggest that patients with advanced solid and hematologic malignancies are more likely to have prolonged SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding and poor outcomes with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to disease and therapy-related immunosuppression. We present a patient with lymphoma who had a very prolonged and ultimately fatal course of COVID-19 despite aggressive treatments. CASE PRESENTATION: A 39-year-old male was diagnosed with aggressive follicular lymphoma and received standard chemotherapy. Two years later, his disease recurs with transformation to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and received Rituximab, Dexamethasone, Cytarabine, and Oxaliplatin and radiotherapy to T8-T10 for chord compression. Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) was planned but deferred because he tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 via nasopharyngeal (NP) swab RT-PCR. Over the next 12 months, he required hospitalization 7 times with fever, cough, progressive dyspnea, and diffuse lung opacities on chest radiograph. Chest CT revealed bilateral diffuse ground glass infiltrates. Bronchoscopy with BAL was positive for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR;lung biopsy revealed interstitial pneumonitis but negative for other infectious pathogens. Overtime, he tested 6 times positive and 2 times negative for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR. He was treated with antimicrobials, convalescent plasma, Remdesivir, and corticosteroids. Cytoxan was subsequently added as a steroid sparing agent. He had 3 negative and 2 positive SARS-CoV-2 IgG serology tests. On this last admission, he presented with hypoxic respiratory failure requiring ICU admission and mechanical ventilation. IL-6 levels peaked at 244. The cycle threshold (CT) values were in the teens suspicious of active viral replication. In ICU he was treated with proned positioning and received vasopressors, Remdesivir, and another course of IV corticosteroids. A year from the COVID-19 diagnosis, the patient's family decided to focus care on comfort, and he expired. DISCUSSION: Per our knowledge we are describing the longest case that suffered with COVID 19. He had a slowly progressive disease and inconsistent SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR tests. Our case highlights the challenges in managing lymphoma patients, who due to B-cell dysfunction and treatment depletion of B-cells, may act as persistent shedders and sources of transmission. They harbor dysfunctional CD8+ T cells and have an increased likelihood of virally induced lymphopenia and high mortality. The efficacy of corticosteroids and IL-6 receptor inhibitors to treat COVID-19 in patients with lymphoma is unknown. Although these treatments may be helpful in suppressing the 'cytokine storm', they can impede viral clearance. CONCLUSIONS: Our case suggests that regular viral load testing and prolonged courses of antiviral therapies and use of convalescent plasma may need to be considered in patients with lymphoma and protracted COVID-19. REFERENCE #1: Aries JA, et al. Clinical outcome of coronavirus disease 2019 in haemato-oncology patients. Br J Haematol 2020 REFERENCE #2: Hueso T, et al. Convalescent plasma therapy for B-cell-depleted patients with protracted COVID-19. Blood 2020;136:2290-95 REFERENCE #3: Ji Hoon Baang Prolonged Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Replication in an Immunocompromised Patient J Infect Dis. 2020 Oct 22 : jiaa666. Published online 2020 Oct 22 DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Alina Dulu, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Anna Ford, source=Web Response Advisory Committee Member relationship with Jazz Pharmaceuticals Please note: $1-$1000 by Stephen Pastores, source=Web Response, value=Consulting fee Grant Support for Clinical Trial relationship with Biomerieux Please note: $5001 - $20000 by Stephen Pastores, source=Web Response, value=Grant/Research Support No relevant relationships by Kate Tayban, source=Web Response