Is the Omicron variant truly less virulent in solid organ transplant recipients?

Abstract

Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are at high risk for severe disease with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection. Emerging variants of concern have disproportionately affected this population. Data on severity and outcomes with the Omicron variant in SOT recipients are limited. Thus we conducted this single‐center, retrospective cohort study of SOT recipients diagnosed with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection from December 18, 2021 to January 18, 2022, when prevalence of the Omicron variant was more than 80%‐95% in the community. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for hospital admission. We identified 166 SOT patients: 112 (67.5%) kidney, 22 (13.3%) liver, 10 (6.0%) lung, seven (4.2%) heart, and 15 (9.0%) combined transplants. SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine series was completed in 59 (35.5%) recipients. Ninety‐nine (59.6%) and 13 (7.8%) recipients received casirivimab/imdevimab and sotrovimab, respectively. Fifty‐three (32%) recipients required hospital admission, of which 19 (35.8%) required intensive care unit level of care. Median follow‐up was 50 (interquartile range, 25‐59) days, with mortality reported in six (3.6%) patients. Risk factors identified for hospital admission were African American race (p < .001, odds ratio [OR] 4.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.84‐8.70), history of coronary artery disease (p = .031, OR 3.50, 95% CI 1.12‐10.87), and maintenance immunosuppression with corticosteroids (p = .048, OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.01‐4.00). In conclusion, contrary to that in the general population, we found a higher hospital admission rate in SOT recipients with omicron variant infection. Further studies to investigate the efficacy of newer treatments are necessary, even as outcomes continue to improve.