Burden of Seasonal Human Coronavirus Infections in Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients

Authors

Fareed Khawaja
Terri Lynn Shigle
Layale Yaghi
May Daher
Jeremy L Ramdial
Ella Ariza-Heredia
Ying Jiang
Roy F Chemaly

Language

English

Publication Date

1-1-2025

Journal

Transplant Infectious Disease

DOI

10.1111/tid.70094

PMID

40838490

PMCID

PMC12519910

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

8-21-2025

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Background: Community respiratory viruses, such as seasonal human coronavirus (HCoV), commonly infect hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients. Recognizing the risk factors and outcomes of HCoV infections in HCT recipients is essential for the future development of potentially lifesaving therapeutics.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all HCoV-infected HCT recipients from September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2017, at our institution. Patients were classified with upper respiratory tract infection (URI) or lower respiratory infection (LRI) based on predefined definitions for respiratory viral infections in HCT recipients. Patient data were collected to identify risk factors for HCoV LRI, and to calculate an immunodeficiency scoring index (ISI). Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to identify risk factors for LRI.

Results: We identified 164 episodes in 138 HCT recipients (129 URI and 35 LRI) during the study period with an incidence of HCoV of 9%. Overall, 30-day mortality was 17% and 0%, among patients with HCoV LRI or URI, respectively. On multivariate analysis, low-albumin, coinfection with multiple respiratory viruses, and an ISI ≥ 5 were independent predictors of LRI and the latter was associated with increased risk of hospital admission, ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, and 30-day mortality.

Conclusions: We identified unique characteristics that were associated with HCoV LRI in HCT recipients. An ISI ≥ 5 predicted HCoV LRI in HCT recipients.

Keywords

Humans, Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Retrospective Studies, Male, Female, Middle Aged, Adult, Seasons, Risk Factors, Respiratory Tract Infections, Aged, Coronavirus Infections, Hospitalization, Transplant Recipients, Incidence, Coinfection, Young Adult, coronavirus, hematopoietic cell transplant, outcome, stem cell transplant

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Khawaja, Fareed; Shigle, Terri Lynn; Yaghi, Layale; et al., "Burden of Seasonal Human Coronavirus Infections in Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients" (2025). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 5502.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthgsbs_docs/5502