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Screening for SARS-COV-2 infection in pediatric oncology patients during the epidemic peak in Italy
  • +12
  • Simone Cesaro,
  • Francesca Compagno,
  • Daniele Zama,
  • Linda Meneghello,
  • Nagua Giurici,
  • Elena Soncini ,
  • Daniela Onofrillo,
  • Federico Mercolini,
  • Rosamaria Mura,
  • Katia Perruccio,
  • Raffaela De Santis,
  • Antonella Colombini,
  • Angelica Barone,
  • Valentina Baretta,
  • Mariagrazia Petris
Simone Cesaro
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona

Corresponding Author:simone.cesaro@aovr.veneto.it

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Francesca Compagno
Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo
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Daniele Zama
Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Oncology and Haematology Unit "Lalla Seràgnoli", Sant' Orsola Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna
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Linda Meneghello
Santa Chiara Hospital
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Nagua Giurici
Institute for Maternal and Child Health Care IRCCS Burlo Garofolo
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Elena Soncini
, Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
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Daniela Onofrillo
Santo Spirito Hospital,
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Federico Mercolini
Azienda Ospedaliera di Bolzano
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Rosamaria Mura
Paediatric Haematology-Oncology, Ospedale Pediatrico Microcitemico, Cagliari, Italy
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Katia Perruccio
Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Section
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Raffaela De Santis
Unit of Pediatrics
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Antonella Colombini
MBBM Foundation, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
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Angelica Barone
Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Parma,
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Valentina Baretta
Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Department of Mother and Child, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona
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Mariagrazia Petris
3. Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
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Abstract

SARS-COV-2 infection can be asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic. The effect of chemotherapy on an asymptomatic infected patient is unknown. Three hundred-thirty-four and 56 NFS were performed as screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection in 247 and 34 pediatric patients undergoing chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation, respectively. NFS was positive in 10 patients. All positive patients withdrew from chemotherapy. Nine patients became negative. One patient is still positive after 38 days.The identification of asymptomatic SARS-COV-2 infection is important to reduce the hospital spread of infection. Further studies are needed to define the least risky management of chemotherapy in asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 patients.
Published in Pediatric Blood & Cancer volume 67 issue 8. Aug 2020. 10.1002/pbc.28466