Transfusion of blood products derived from SARS-CoV-2+ donors to patients with hematological malignancies

We describe here 7 cases of HMP receiving blood derivatives, especially platelet concentrates, from donors who developed symptoms after blood donation and tested positive to SARS-CoV-2 in all but one case. Transfusions were performed in an inpatient setting in 4 out of 7 cases. Baseline diagnoses included acute myeloid leukemia (3 cases), myelodysplasia (2 cases), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (1 case), chronic myeloproliferative disease (1 case). The time elapsed from donation to the onset of symptoms ranged between 2 and 10 days (median 7 days). In two cases the donor was not tested after symptoms development as the national guidelines of the Italian “Centro Nazionale Sangue” do not require it. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was assessed by a PCR based method on nasopharyngeal swabs. The presence of serum antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 (IgG and IgM anti-s1 and anti-s2) was detected by an ELISA based method.