Can the COVID-19 Pandemic Improve the Management of Solid Organ Transplant Recipients?

Viruses. 2022 Aug 24;14(9):1860. doi: 10.3390/v14091860.

Abstract

Increased mortality due to SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed among solid organ transplant patients. During the pandemic, in order to prevent and treat COVID-19 infections in this context, several innovative procedures and therapies were initiated within a short period of time. A large number of these innovations can be applied and expanded to improve the management of non-COVID-19 infectious diseases in solid organ transplant patients and in the case of a future pandemic. In this vein, the present paper reviews and discusses medical care system adaptation, modification of immunosuppression, adjuvant innovative therapies, the role of laboratory expertise, and the prevention of infections as examples of such innovations.

Keywords: COVID-19; monoclonal antibodies; omicron; organ transplantation; prevention.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Organ Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Organ Transplantation* / methods
  • Pandemics / prevention & control
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Transplant Recipients

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.