Title:The Outcome of Critical-phase COVID-19 in Liver Transplant Recipients
Volume: 19
Issue: 2
Author(s): Mahnaz Mozdourian, Rozita Khodashahi*Mohsen Aliakbarian
Affiliation:
- Transplant Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Clinical Research Development Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Keywords:
COVID‐19, immunosuppressive agents, liver, mortality, diabetes, etiology, liver transplant.
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 outcomes
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 variables
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 acid
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 subjects.
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.
