Outcomes of Novel Coronavirus 2019 in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: Yet Again, Race Matters

Chun-Sing Huang1*, Hemmersbach-Miller1, Matthew Goss BS2, Nicolas Moreno BS2, Abbas Rana1, John A Goss1 and Thao N Galvan1

1Baylor College of Medicine, USA
2University of Texas Health Science Center of Houston, USA

^*Correspondance to: Chun-Sing Huang, 

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Abstract:

Background: The Coronavirus 2019 pandemic has posed a particular challenge for transplant
programs across the world as little was understood regarding how the virus would affect
immunocompromised hosts. In addition it was unclear if race and socioeconomic status affected
hospitalization rates.
Methods: We describe a cohort of 25 Solid Organ Transplant Recipients (SOTR) within a singlecenter
who were subsequently hospitalized for COVID-19 infection. In addition we compared
baseline characteristics of our cohort with all of our transplants from 1.2.2015 until 11.5.2020.
Results: Transplant recipients infected with COVID-19 have much comorbidity (96% with
hypertension, 60% with heart failure or ischemic heart disease, and 60% with diabetes). Overall
SOTR patients frequently presented with AKI (44%), frequently required ICU stay (52%), and
frequently required intubation (36%). We discovered a statistically significant racial disparity in
COVID-19 infection in minorities within our cohort compared to our baseline transplant recipient
population.
Conclusion: Transplant recipients tended to have more atypical symptoms such as diarrhea and
tolerated a stepwise reduction of immunosuppression. Solid organ transplant recipients-particularly
minorities and low income patients- may benefit from additional COVID-19 precautions such as
earlier access to vaccination.

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Cite the Article:

Huang C-S, Hemmersbach-Miller, Matthew Goss BS, Nicolas Moreno BS, Rana A, Goss JA, et al. Outcomes of Novel Coronavirus 2019 in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: Yet Again, Race Matters. World J Surg Surgical Res. 2021; 4: 1306..