The Outcome of Critical-phase COVID-19 in Liver Transplant Recipients

Abstract

Background: Considering the importance of assessing solid organ transplants, infected individuals with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and the lack of information in this regard, this descriptive study aimed to investigate the clinical features, immunosuppressive agents, and out-comes of liver transplant recipients in the critical phase of infection with COVID-19. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 12 critically ill liver transplant recipients referred to Imam Reza and Montaseriyeh hospitals affiliated with Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran, within 2020-21. The required data, including demographic and clinical information, were gathered and recorded in a checklist, and the correlations between varia-bles were assessed in SPSS software (version 24). Results: Hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease were reported in 83.3% (n = 10), 58.3% (n = 7), and 41.6% (n = 5) of patients, respectively. The administration of Mycophenolic ac-id was correlated with conjunctivitis (r = -0.67; P = 0.02), weakness (r = 0.77; P = 0.006), and sore throat (r = -0.67; P = 0.02). Ground glass opacity was reported in all patients, which was along with consolidation in 90.9% of the cases, and acute pulmonary embolism was found in 36.3% of the sub-jects. Finally, 66.7% (n = 8) of patients passed away. Among immunosuppressive agents, only the use of Mycophenolic acid was correlated with the outcome (r = -0.77; P = 0.006). Conclusion: Due to the high rate of mortality among liver transplant recipients in the critical phase of COVID-19, earlier and more aggressive treatment with antiviral and antibacterial agents should be performed in this group of patients.