Long-term effects of COVID-19 in sickle cell disease: A case report

Alberca, R. W.; Orfali, R. L.; Rigato, P. O.; Da Silva Duarte, A. J.; Aoki, V.; Sato, M. N.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can generate a respiratory and systemic disease known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To date, at least to the best of our knowledge, only a limited number of studies have identified SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Due to the lack of knowledge of the long-term effects of COVID-19, the present study presents the hematological alterations in a patient with SCD during hospitalization due to COVID-19 and for up to 180 days following SARS-CoV-2 clearance and hospital discharge. The present study describes the case of a patient with SCD who was diagnosed with moderate COVID-19 infection, without the need for invasive mechanical ventilation. Following SARS-CoV-2 clearance, long-term (6 months) follow-up identified an increase in the reticulocyte frequency, creatinine and D-dimer levels. On the whole, the present study manuscript presents the case of a patient with moderate COVID-19 infection with long-term laboratory alterations at even 6 months following SARS-CoV-2 clearance. Further investigations are required however, to focus on the long-term evaluations in patients who have recovered from COVID-19, in order to fully determine the extension of possible sequelae. © 2021 CELOM. All rights reserved.