A Case of Prolonged Hospital Acquired COVID-19 Pneumonia in a Lung Transplant Recipient: Management and Outcome

Abstract

IntroductionLung transplant recipients are at increased risk of SARS-CoV2 infection due to immunosuppression and their management has yet to be standardized. We report a case of prolonged COVID-19 infection in a lung recipient acquired after transplant during the hospital stay.Case ReportA 52-year-old lady with interstitial disease associated to systemic sclerosis underwent bilateral lung transplantation on 04/10/21. Donors and recipient microbiological tests for SARS-CoV2 were negative on molecular swabs performed before transplantation (04/07 and 04/10). Transplantation was uneventful and the recipient was extubated the subsequent day. Twelve days later, a surveillance molecular nose-pharyngeal swab was positive for SARS-CoV2. The positivity for subgenomic analysis revealed productive infection. At first monitoring biopsy, multiple foci of diffuse alveolar damage, significant cytopathic features of pneumocytes, microthrombi of capillaries, and extensive edema were highly suggestive of COVID-19 pneumonia. High viral load was also detected in lung biopsy by RT-PCR. She presented mild respiratory symptoms (cough with low oxygen supplementation) and the CT scan revealed an area of consolidation at the right lower lobe. Monoclonal antibody therapy (Bamlanivimab and Etesevimab) associated with remdesevir was started, IV immunoglobulins were administered while mycophenolate mofetil was discontinued. The patient was closely monitored until the nose-pharyngeal swab turned negative two months after the first positivity associated with a significant clinical improvement. At the last follow-up, five months after transplantation, she had good pulmonary function, no immunological disorders and no signs related to long COVID-19.SummaryThis is a case of prolonged hospital acquired COVID-19 related pneumonia in a lung recipient. Immunocompromized patients present a longer viral clearance. In this fragile population a strict clinical, radiological and histopathological monitoring associated with encouragement of vaccination are mandatory.