COVID-19 risk factors and features in solid organ transplant recipients

Objective: We aimed to contribute to the literature about the incidence, risk factors, clinic and prognosis of COVID-19 in solid organ transplant recipients registered at Akdeniz University Hospital Organ Transplant Center for six months after the appearance of the first COVID-19 case in Turkey on 11 March 2020. Materials and methods: Patients who had a solid organ transplant (kidney and liver) between 01.01.2017 and 01.03.2020 in Akdeniz University Hospital Organ Transplant Center were included in the study. It was planned to make phone visits to the patients in the 3rd month and 6th month after the first COVID-19 case was seen in Turkey on March 11, 2020. The questionnaire presented in Annex 3 was applied. Patients older than 18 years of age and continuing immunosuppressant therapy were included in the study. Results: Of the 412 patients who participated in the study by phone questionnaire, 360 had kidney and 52 liver transplant. COVID-19 PCR test was performed in 144 (35%) patients due to symptoms or contact. COVID-19 PCR test of 49 (11.9%) patients were positive. COVID-19 antibody tests performed in 15 (3.7%) of 49 patients were positive for 4 (1%). 45 (91.8%) of 49 patients had COVID-19 symptoms. The most common symptom in 27 (55.1%) of the patients was muscle and joint pain. Among the solid organ transplant recipients included in the study, 18 (36.7%) of the patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were hospitalized, and 31 (63.3%) received outpatient treatment. Average length of hospital stay was 9 ± 4.85 (3-20) days.bWhile 17 (94.4%) of the hospitalized patients were discharged, 1 (5.6%) patient died. 1 (2%) of 49 patients with COVID-19 disease died. There was a significant relationship between history of contact and the region where they lived in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 compared to those who did not (p <0.005). The frequency of COVID-19 increased in solid organ transplant recipients living in the Central Anatolia region. Conclusion: In our study, there was a significant difference between the history of contact and the region in which they live in solid organ transplant recipients compared to those who did not have COVID-19. According to the literature, patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who were followed up in our organ transplant center had lower hospitalization, intensive care need and mortality rates. Mortality from COVID-19 was similar in solid organ transplant recipients relative to the general population. Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, solid organ transplantation, immunosuppression