SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5.2-infection and COVID-19 in persons with chronic myeloid leukaemia.

OBJECTIVE

A SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (BA.5.2) epidemic began in China in December, 2022 following stopping the zero COVID policy.

METHODS

We studied features of the epidemic in 1,121 persons with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML).

RESULTS

1103 (98%) were in chronic, 10 in accelerated and 8 in acute phases. 834 (74%) became infected almost all of whom met criteria for COVID-19. The most common symptoms were fever (91%), cough (90%) and fatigue (82%). 42 infected persons were asymptomatic. Most people quarantined at home and self-medicated. 22 were hospitalized for COVID-19. At admission 5 had mild, 14, moderate and 3, severe/critical disease according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. 5 received respiratory assistance, 3 were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and 1 in accelerated phase died from COVID-19. Co-variates associated with a risk of COVID-19 in SARS-CoV-2-infected subjects include age ≥ 65 years, higher education level and imatinib therapy.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, most SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5.2 infections in persons with CML resulted in COVID-19 most of which cases are mild with only 1 death.