ATC Abstracts

American Transplant Congress abstracts

  • Home
  • Meetings Archive
    • 2022 American Transplant Congress
    • 2021 American Transplant Congress
    • 2020 American Transplant Congress
    • 2019 American Transplant Congress
    • 2018 American Transplant Congress
    • 2017 American Transplant Congress
    • 2016 American Transplant Congress
    • 2015 American Transplant Congress
    • 2013 American Transplant Congress
  • Keyword Index
  • Resources
    • 2021 Resources
    • 2016 Resources
      • 2016 Welcome Letter
      • ATC 2016 Program Planning Committees
      • ASTS Council 2015-2016
      • AST Board of Directors 2015-2016
    • 2015 Resources
      • 2015 Welcome Letter
      • ATC 2015 Program Planning Committees
      • ASTS Council 2014-2015
      • AST Board of Directors 2014-2015
      • 2015 Conference Schedule
  • Search

Nosocomial COVID-19 Among Hospitalized Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

J. T. Swan1, A. Tran1, E. Rizk2, E. A. Graviss1, A. Drews2, K. A. Grimes2, D. T. Nguyen1, S. G. Yi2, R. R. McMillan2, F. Yuan1, I. Carrillo3, G. Book3, F. R. Zabaneh3, L. W. Moore1, A. O. Gaber2

1Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 2Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, 3Houston Methodist, Houston, TX

Meeting: 2021 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: 770

Keywords: Infection, Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Topic: Clinical Science » Infectious Disease » All Infections (Excluding Kidney & Viral Hepatitis)

Session Information

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

Session Type: Poster Abstract

Session Date & Time: None. Available on demand.

Location: Virtual

*Purpose: This study aimed to identify probable cases of nosocomial Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) among hospitalized solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients.

*Methods: All hospitalized SOT recipients diagnosed with COVID-19 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from March 11, 2020 to August 24, 2020 were evaluated. Potential nosocomial cases included admissions where the first positive PCR occurred on hospital day 3 or later (intra-admission) or within 14 days of a previous hospital discharge (inter-admission). Two infectious disease specialists independently adjudicated all potential cases into four categories (definitely community-acquired, likely community-acquired, likely hospital-acquired, and definitely hospital-acquired) using systematic chart review of symptom onset, radiographic findings, and community risk factors. Discrepancies were resolved by a third investigator.

*Results: Of 132 hospitalized SOT recipients diagnosed with COVID-19, nosocomial infections were apparent in 19 (14%; Figure 1). Intra-admission cases (n=11, 4 likely hospital-acquired and 7 definitely hospital-acquired) were diagnosed a median (IQR) of 43 (8 to 53) days after admission. Inter-admission cases (n=8, all likely hospital-acquired) had 5 (3 to 10) days of hospital care in the 14 days preceding diagnosis. The proportion of COVID-19 infections classified as nosocomial varied by time from most recent transplant until diagnosis (P<0.001) and transplant type (P<0.001; Table 1). Probable nosocomial infections peaked in June and gradually declined.

*Conclusions: Despite infection control measures to sequester SOT recipients and their nurses on dedicated transplant floors and provide patients and healthcare workers with screening, COVID-19 may have been acquired during healthcare interactions in 14% of hospitalized SOT recipients diagnosed with COVID-19. Vaccination against COVID-19 for front-line healthcare workers is important for protection of SOT recipients.

Proportion of COVID-19 infections that were nosocomial
Patients with COVID-19, n Patients with nosocomial COVID-19, n (row %)
Transplant type Heart only 9 4 (44%)
Lung only 15 6 (40%)
History of >1 organ 17 3 (18%)
Liver only 17 3 (18%)
Kidney only 74 3 (4%)
Time from the last transplant to COVID-19 diagnosis ≤ 1 year 23 9 (39%)
> 1 year 109 10 (9%)

 border=

  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Swan JT, Tran A, Rizk E, Graviss EA, Drews A, Grimes KA, Nguyen DT, Yi SG, McMillan RR, Yuan F, Carrillo I, Book G, Zabaneh FR, Moore LW, Gaber AO. Nosocomial COVID-19 Among Hospitalized Solid Organ Transplant Recipients [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2021; 21 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/nosocomial-covid-19-among-hospitalized-solid-organ-transplant-recipients/. Accessed May 11, 2025.

« Back to 2021 American Transplant Congress

Visit Our Partner Sites

American Transplant Congress (ATC)

Visit the official site for the American Transplant Congress »

American Journal of Transplantation

The official publication for the American Society of Transplantation (AST) and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) »

American Society of Transplantation (AST)

An organization of more than 3000 professionals dedicated to advancing the field of transplantation. »

American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS)

The society represents approximately 1,800 professionals dedicated to excellence in transplantation surgery. »

Copyright © 2013-2025 by American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Cookie Preferences