COVID-19 in lung transplant recipients: A case series from Milan, Italy

Transpl Infect Dis. 2020 Dec;22(6):e13356. doi: 10.1111/tid.13356. Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Abstract

Limited data are currently available regarding the course of COVID-19 in lung and solid organ transplant recipients. We hereby present four cases of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia in lung transplant recipients from our center, set in Milan, Italy. We reduced immunosuppressive regimen in all these patients, typically holding the antiproliferative agent and augmenting steroids; everybody received hydroxychloroquine, initial empiric antibiotic treatment with piperacillin/tazobactam, and high-dose low molecular weight heparin. Clinical course seemed favorable in three of our patients, but one of them deteriorated after 10 days of hospitalization, probably due to an acute form of graft dysfunction triggered both by COVID-19 and a nosocomial bacterial infection, and eventually died. Although short-term prognosis could be considered benign in the majority of our patients, we should carefully monitor these individuals in order to detect early sign of clinical deterioration and graft dysfunction in the next few months.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use*
  • Blood Gas Analysis
  • COVID-19 / immunology
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Cystic Fibrosis / surgery
  • Deprescriptions
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Graft Rejection / prevention & control
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxychloroquine / therapeutic use*
  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / surgery
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Italy
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / surgery
  • Lung Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Emphysema / surgery
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anticoagulants
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Hydroxychloroquine