Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on Patients with Primary Immunodeficiency

Although it is estimated that COVID-19 life-threatening conditions may be diagnosed in less than 1:1000 infected individuals below the age of 50, but the real impact of this pandemic on pediatric patients with different types of primary immunodeficiency (PID) is not elucidated. The current prospective study on a national registry of PID patients showed that with only 1.23 folds higher incidence of infections, these patients present a 10-folds higher mortality rate compared to population mainly in patients with combined immunodeficiency and immune dysregulation. Therefore, further management modalities against COVID-19 should be considered to improve the survival rate in these two PID entities using hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and immunomodulatory agents.

Automated summary

A study on patients with primary immunodeficiency disorders showed that while their incidence of infections was only 1.23 times higher than the general population, their mortality rate was 10 times higher, particularly in patients with combined immunodeficiency and immune dysregulation. Further management strategies such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and immunomodulatory agents should be considered to improve the survival rate in these patients.