Organ transplant recipients receive immunosuppressive drugs and hence are at high risk for COVID-19 due to their compromised immunity.
This study assessed 1,370 liver transplant recipients who were followed at our hospital. A total of 12 patients got COVID-19: 5 recipients <50-years-old had mild disease, 7 recipients >60-years-old had moderate to severe disease, and 2 patients died. In addition, not all patients received 2 vaccinations, suggesting that the immunization is important for COVID-19 prophylaxis even in this patient population.
One recipient was successfully treated with a combination of a reduced dose of immunosuppressive drugs, dexamethasone, remdesivir, and antibiotics, which is being established as an effective therapy for COVID-19.
