COVID-19 in Lung Transplant Recipients: 2 Cases With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Successfully Treated With High-Dose Corticosteroids

Exp Clin Transplant. 2021 Jul;19(7):744-748. doi: 10.6002/ect.2021.0007. Epub 2021 Jun 3.

Abstract

Acute respiratory distress syndrome remains the main cause of death among people with COVID-19. Although many immunomodulatory and antiviral drug therapies have been tested, the only effective therapy against severe COVID-19 pneumonia among the general population is a regimen of high-dose corticosteroids for cases of severe associated inflammation. In solid-organ transplant recipients with long-term immunosuppression, data on disease presentation and evolution are scarce, and the benefit of high-dose corticosteroids remains uncertain for cases of severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Here, we report 2 cases of COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome that occurred in lung transplant recipients in March and April 2020, respectively. Both cases of acute respiratory distress syndrome occurred in patients with long-term azithromycin treatment prescribed to prevent chronic allograft dysfunction. Acute respiratory distress syndrome was associated with severe inflammation and was cured after early administration of high-dose corticosteroids in both cases, with progressive and complete resolution of lung lesions evidenced on thoracic computed tomography scan. Our findings support the benefit of early high-dose corticosteroids in COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome with hyperinflammation in patients with long-term immunosuppression such as lung transplant recipients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / complications
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use*
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications / drug therapy*
  • Postoperative Complications / virology
  • Remission Induction
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome / virology

Substances

  • Methylprednisolone