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. 2022 Sep 29;209(3):247-258.
doi: 10.1093/cei/uxac008.

Outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with primary and secondary immunodeficiency in the UK

Affiliations

Outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with primary and secondary immunodeficiency in the UK

Adrian M Shields et al. Clin Exp Immunol. .

Abstract

In March 2020, the United Kingdom Primary Immunodeficiency Network (UKPIN) established a registry of cases to collate the outcomes of individuals with PID and SID following SARS-CoV-2 infection and treatment. A total of 310 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in individuals with PID or SID have now been reported in the UK. The overall mortality within the cohort was 17.7% (n = 55/310). Individuals with CVID demonstrated an infection fatality rate (IFR) of 18.3% (n = 17/93), individuals with PID receiving IgRT had an IFR of 16.3% (n = 26/159) and individuals with SID, an IFR of 27.2% (n = 25/92). Individuals with PID and SID had higher inpatient mortality and died at a younger age than the general population. Increasing age, low pre-SARS-CoV-2 infection lymphocyte count and the presence of common co-morbidities increased the risk of mortality in PID. Access to specific COVID-19 treatments in this cohort was limited: only 22.9% (n = 33/144) of patients admitted to the hospital received dexamethasone, remdesivir, an anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody-based therapeutic (e.g. REGN-COV2 or convalescent plasma) or tocilizumab as a monotherapy or in combination. Dexamethasone, remdesivir, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody-based therapeutics appeared efficacious in PID and SID. Compared to the general population, individuals with PID or SID are at high risk of mortality following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Increasing age, low baseline lymphocyte count, and the presence of co-morbidities are additional risk factors for poor outcome in this cohort.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; hypogammaglobulinemia; inborn errors of immunity; lymphopenia; primary immunodeficiencies; secondary immunodeficiencies.

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Figures

Graphical Abstract
Graphical Abstract
Figure 1:
Figure 1:
Risk factors for mortality from COVID-19 in patients with PID and SID. Age, baseline lymphocyte count, and body mass index are compared between COVID-19 survivors and non-survivors in patients with (A) PID on immunoglobulin replacement, (B) Common variable immunodeficiency, and (C) Secondary immunodeficiency. Statistical comparison of the groups is made using the 2-tailed Mann–Whitney U test. P < 0.0001, ∗∗P = 0.003, ∗∗∗P = 0.03. Red shaded area denotes lymphopenia (<1.0 × 109/L).

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