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Short‐term kidney transplant outcomes from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 lower respiratory tract positive donors
Author(s) -
SanchezVivaldi Jorge A.,
Patel Madhukar S.,
Shah Jigesh A.,
Wang Benjamin K.,
SalcedoBetancourt Juan D.,
Hwang Christine S.,
Wojciechowski David,
La Hoz Ricardo M.,
Vagefi Parsia A.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
transplant infectious disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.69
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1399-3062
pISSN - 1398-2273
DOI - 10.1111/tid.13890
Subject(s) - medicine , respiratory system , respiratory tract , respiratory tract infections , kidney transplantation , kidney transplant , intensive care medicine , covid-19 , kidney , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Abstract Objective In this study, we aim to assess short‐term allograft outcomes following deceased donor kidney transplantation from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) lower respiratory tract (LRT) nucleic acid testing (NAT) positive donors. Methods From September to December 2021, SARS‐CoV‐2 NAT positive organ donors, whose solid abdominal organs were transplanted at our academic medical center were identified. Donors were stratified into having tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 in an upper respiratory tract (URT) or LRT sample. For this study, the SARS‐CoV‐2 LRT NAT positive deceased kidney donors and their respective recipients were examined. Donor and recipient demographic data, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19)‐related history, patient outcomes, as well as postoperative graft function were evaluated. Results Thirteen SARS‐CoV‐2 positive deceased donors were identified. Of these, eight were LRT NAT positive and yielded nine kidneys. These allografts were successfully transplanted into vaccinated and unvaccinated recipients. All recipients received standard induction immunosuppression and did not receive any prophylactic therapy for SARS‐CoV‐2. Two recipients had delayed graft function. At 1‐month post‐transplant, there was no clinical evidence of donor‐derived COVID‐19 or graft loss, and all recipients were free from dialysis. Conclusion We describe the first case series of SARS‐CoV‐2 LRT NAT positive deceased kidney donors for vaccinated and unvaccinated recipients with excellent short‐term allograft outcomes and no clinical evidence of donor‐derived COVID‐19 post‐transplantation. Given the increasing prevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 in the population, utilization of SARS‐CoV‐2 LRT NAT positive deceased donors could be considered an acceptable source of organs for renal transplantation, especially as multi‐center experiences and longer‐term follow‐up emerge.