SARS-CoV-2 in solid organ transplant recipients - a structured review of 2020

Quante, Markus; Brake, Linda; Tolios, Alexander; Della Penna, Andrea; Steidle, Christoph; Gruendl, Magdalena; Grishina, Anna; Haeberle, Helene; Guthoff, Martina; Tullius, Stefan G.; Königsrainer, Alfred; Nadalin, Silvio; Löffler, Markus W.

BACKGROUND: : The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is challenging health systems all over the world. Particularly high-risk groups show considerable mortality rates after infection. In 2020, an inexorable number of case reports, case series and ultimately various systematic reviews have been published reporting on morbidity and mortality risk of SARS-CoV-2 in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. However, this vast array of publications resulted in an increasing complexity of the field, overwhelming even the expert reader. METHODS: : We performed a structured literature review comprising electronic databases, transplant journals and included literature from previous systematic reviews covering the entire year 2020. From 164 included articles we identified 3451 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infected SOT recipients. RESULTS: : Infections resulted in a hospitalization rate of 84% and 24% intensive care unit admissions (ICU) in the included patients. Whereas 53.6% of patients were reported to have recovered, cross-sectional overall mortality reported after COVID-19 was at 21.1%. Synoptic data concerning immunosuppressive medication attested to the reduction or withdrawal of antimetabolites (81.9%) and calcineurin inhibitors (48.9%) as a frequent adjustment. In contrast, steroids were reported to be increased in 46.8% of SOT patients. CONCLUSIONS: : COVID-19 in SOT recipients is associated with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Conforming with current guidelines, modifications of immunosuppressive therapies mostly comprised a reduction or withdrawal of antimetabolites and calcineurin inhibitors, while frequently maintaining or even increasing steroids. Here, we provide an accessible overview to the topic and synoptic estimates of expectable outcomes regarding in-hospital mortality of SOT patients diseased with COVID-19.