A Case Series of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant in Patients With Acute Leukemia

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory viral illness caused by coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease often presents with non-specific symptoms, including fever, and fatigue, usually associated with respiratory symptoms (eg., cough) and other systemic involvement. The primary strategy to prevent transmission and reduce the disease severity of the SARS-CoV-2 infection is through vaccination. However, the virus had shown significant changes and mutations that resulted in the emergence of different strains. Each strain varies in its virulence, disease severity, and the body's immune system response. Previous reports showed that the Omicron variant causes mild disease. Little is known about the effect of Omicron in patients with acute leukemia. We present three patients with acute leukemia who had an infection with the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Keywords: acute leukemia; acute myeloid leukemia (aml); covid-19; omicron variant; sars-cov-2.

Figure 1. Anteroposterior chest X-ray chest of patient 1 showing reduction of volume of the left lung with scattered patchy consolidations likely pneumonic indicated by the arrow.

Figure 2. Anteroposterior chest X-ray of case 2 showing multiple airspace inhomogeneous opacities are noted on both lung fields as seen in the arrows.

Figure 3. Anteroposterior chest X-ray of case 3 showing increased Broncho-vascular markings