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Outcomes After Covid-19 Infection in Transplant Recipients

K. L. Freels1, K. Saharia2, J. Baddley2, N. Costa3, S. Niederhaus4

1University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 2Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 3Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, 4Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

Meeting: 2022 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: 967

Keywords: COVID-19, Graft failure, Mortality, Outcome

Topic: Clinical Science » Infection Disease » 24 - All Infections (Excluding Kidney & Viral Hepatitis)

Session Information

Session Name: All Infections (Excluding Kidney & Viral Hepatitis) II

Session Type: Poster Abstract

Date: Sunday, June 5, 2022

Session Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm

 Presentation Time: 7:00pm-8:00pm

Location: Hynes Halls C & D

*Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate outcomes of readmission, rejection, graft dysfunction, graft failure, and death in SOT recipients (SOTR) after COVID-19 infection.

*Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of SOTR diagnosed with COVID-19 infection before 5/1/2021. COVID-19 disease severity was assigned retrospectively by NIH criteria and grouped into asymptomatic/mild and moderate/severe/critical infection. Data collected included demographics, clinical features, treatment, and outcomes. Bivariate comparisons to evaluate characteristics associated with outcomes were performed with independent group t-tests for continuous variables and Fisher’s exact tests for categorical variables.

*Results: 138 SOTR were diagnosed with COVID-19 at a median of 5 (IQR 3-8) years post-transplant with a mean age of 57±12 years at diagnosis. Most were kidney or liver recipients (Table 1); 49 (36%) had asymptomatic or mild infection. 29 (21%) of SOTR had moderate, 26 (19%) severe, and 31 (22%) critical infection. Disease severity, treatment with steroids or remdesivir did not correlate with rejection. Most graft failures occurred in SOTR with critical (n=12) disease (Table 2). 102 (74%) SOTR were admitted to the hospital for COVID-19 infection, of which 27 (26%) were readmitted more than 2 months after their index hospitalization. Of the readmissions, 5 were for renal complications, 5 infectious, and 7 pulmonary. Among those hospitalized, 13 (13%) SOTR died during the index admission. Among the 27 SOTR who were readmitted, 3 (11%) SOTR died during readmission. The mean time from initial infection to death was 121±176 days.

*Conclusions: In this cohort, disease severity was associated with graft failure. Readmissions were frequent more than 2 months after the index admission. Mortality in those who were readmitted remained high. Rejection was relatively infrequent.

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To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Freels KL, Saharia K, Baddley J, Costa N, Niederhaus S. Outcomes After Covid-19 Infection in Transplant Recipients [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2022; 22 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/outcomes-after-covid-19-infection-in-transplant-recipients/. Accessed May 18, 2025.

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