Abstract
BackgroundLung transplantation patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have high mortality. However, the impact of the Omicron variant in lung transplantation patients is unclear. This study focuses on lung transplant patients diagnosed with COVID-19 during the Omicron wave, and investigate the clinical presentations, outcomes and pulmonary function. MethodsIn this single-center retrospective study, we enrolled lung transplantation patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from January 2022 to December 2022. Demographic, laboratory and pulmonary function data were recorded. Pre-COVID-19 pulmonary function data were obtained from the closest routine test, and post-COVID-19 tests were arranged after release from isolation. ResultsOf the 22 enrolled patients, four were admitted to general wards for treatment and observation, and two needed oxygen support. All of the patients recovered from COVID-19. There were no significant decreases in forced vital capacity (FVC) (2.3 ± 0.6 vs. 2.2 ± 0.8 L, p = 0.363) and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) (2.0 ± 0.6 vs. 1.9 ± 0.8 L, p = 0.269) after COVID-19 infection. Daily prednisolone dose and serum tacrolimus levels were significantly correlated to the duration of positive COVID-19 test and change in FEV1. Patients who did not receive a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccination had a significantly longer positive test duration (9.1 ± 4.1 vs. 26.6 ± 24.4 days, p = 0.05), and greater decrease in FEV1 (23.6 ± 137.3 vs. −331.8 ± 537.8 L, p = 0.040). ConclusionsIn this study, lung transplant patients infected with COVID-19 during the Omicron wave had low rate of severe disease and mortality. Immunosuppressive medications and COVID-19 vaccination were correlated with viral clearance and pulmonary function after COVID-19 infection.
Published Version
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