An Overview of the Problems and Changes in Guidelines with a View to the Future of Bone Marrow Transplantation during an Outbreak of COVID-19

Maria  Tavakoli Ardakani; Maryam Nikoonezhad; Sedigheh Sadat Akhlaghi; Mehdi Amini Neysiani; Mohammad Reza  Moshari; Masoud Soleimani

doi:10.18502/jzms.v4i4.8750

Maria Tavakoli Ardakani Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Maryam Nikoonezhad Ph.D Student in Immunology, Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Sedigheh Sadat Akhlaghi Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mehdi Amini Neysiani BS of Nursing, Ayatollah Taleghani Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Reza Moshari Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Masoud Soleimani Professor of Hematology, Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jzms.v4i4.8750

Keywords: Hematopoietic stem cell transplant, Bone marrow transplant, COVID-19.

Abstract

Background: Patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT) are high-risk during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Viral infections are a common complication in transplanted patients. Since BMT is a definitive line treatment for many hematological malignancies, the BMT unit should provide therapy services during the COVID-19 outbreak. According to studies over the past two years, following the COVID-19 prevention guidelines recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) has made it possible to carry out this high-risk treatment. This review article presents the experiences and challenges of BMT centers during the outbreak of COVID-19.

Methods: The present study is a review article based on searching in medical-scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar, from 2020 to 2021. All articles were evaluated, and 30 articles were selected as the primary sources of study.

Conclusion: Regarding the stability and new strains emergence of coronavirus over the last two years, as well as the importance of BMT as the last-line treatment in some hematological malignancies, COVID-19 prevention is the first pivotal step for immunity of BMT donor and recipient. Training medical service personnel and patients will effectively prevent virus contagiousness and spread. Moreover, regular screening of medical staff can inhibit viral transmission to admitted patients. Stick to home quarantine in patients pre-and post-BMT restricts the risk of COVID-19 contamination.