Information on treatment of COVID-19 infection in renal transplant recipients is scarce, especially in symptomatic patients and patients with recent major clinical events. This group of patients suffers from different opportunistic infections which may coexist with COVID-19. Currently available expert opinions suggest reduction of immunosuppression therapy for renal transplant recipients with symptomatic COVID-19 infection with either antiviral drugs, hydroxychloroquine and/or azithromycin. Inspired by our experience in treatment of CMV pneumonia and literature data on the potential benefit of convalescent plasma for treatment of different viral diseases we suggest use of the hyperimmune anti-CMV gamma globulins in addition to other available therapies. Besides the immunosuppression reduction which is supposed to be beneficial, immunoglobulins with their immunomodulatory effects and possible antiviral role, may increase a possibility for favorable outcome.

The rapid emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented and poses an unparalleled obstacle in the sixty-five year history of organ transplantation. Worldwide, the delivery of transplant care is severely challenged by matters concerning - but not limited to - organ procurement, risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, screening strategies of donors and recipients, decisions to postpone or proceed with transplantation, the attributable risk of immunosuppression for COVID-19 and entrenched health care resources and capacity. The transplant community is faced with choosing a lesser of two evils: initiating immunosuppression and potentially accepting detrimental outcome when transplant recipients develop COVID-19 versus postponing transplantation and accepting associated waitlist mortality. Notably, prioritization of health care services for COVID-19 care raises concerns about allocation of resources to deliver care for transplant patients who might otherwise have excellent 1-year and 10-year survival rates. Children and young adults with end-stage organ disease in particular seem more disadvantaged by withholding transplantation because of capacity issues than from medical consequences of SARS-CoV-2. This report details the nationwide response of the Dutch transplant community to these issues and the immediate consequences for transplant activity. Worrisome, there was a significant decrease in organ donation numbers affecting all organ transplant services. In addition, there was a detrimental effect on transplantation numbers in children with end-organ failure. Ongoing efforts focus on mitigation of not only primary but also secondary harm of the pandemic and to find right definitions and momentum to restore the transplant programs.

Worldwide collaboration will be required to define viral pathogenesis, correlates of immunity, and biomarkers for progressive infection to optimize clinical care and to interrupt pandemic spread of SARS-CoV-2.

This month’s installment of “The AJT Report” explores the role of the transplant community in the wider healthcare framework as both entities navigate the challenges of COVID-19. We also report on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ recently proposed updates to the Organ Procurement Organization Conditions for Coverage.