Case Report: Discovery a Novel SARS-CoV-2 Variant in a Six-Months Long-Term Swab Positive Female Suffering From Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

BACKGROUND

We report the case of a woman with non-Hodgkin lymphoma who remained positive on the molecular assay for SARS-CoV-2 for six months: she has never experienced a severe form of COVID-19 although in absence of seroconversion.

METHODS

The whole SARS-CoV-2 genome analysis was performed by the CleanPlex SARS-CoV-2 Research and Surveillance NGS Panel (PARAGON GENOMICS, Hayward, USA).

RESULTS

We found twenty-two mutations in SARS-CoV-2 genome and a novel deleterious ORF3a frameshift c.766_769del corresponding to a unique and novel lineage. The region affected by this frameshift variant is reported as being important in determining SARS-CoV-2 immunogenicity. Patient's immunophenotype showed the absence of B lymphocytes and significantly reduced T-cell count. Only after the treatment with hyperimmune plasma she finally became negative on the swab.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings could be helpful in the management of patients with immunodeficiency, particularly when novel variants, potentially altering the virus immune response, are present.

Informations de copyright

Copyright © 2021 Capoluongo, Nardelli, Esposito, Buonomo, Gelzo, Pinchera, Zappulo, Viceconte, Portella, Setaro, Gentile and Castaldo.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.