COVID-19 and liver disease: An update. / Actualización en COVID-19 y enfermedad hepática.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has proven to be a serious challenge for the Spanish healthcare system. The impact of the virus on the liver is not well known, but in patients with chronic liver disease, mostly in advanced stages, it can critically compromise survival and trigger decompensation. Treatment in this subpopulation is complex due to the potential hepatotoxicity of some of the medicinal products used. Moreover, the pandemic has also negatively impacted patients with liver disease who have not contracted COVID-19, since the reallocation of human and material resources to the care of patients with the virus has resulted in a decrease in the treatment, diagnosis and follow-up of patients with liver disease, which will surely have negative consequences in the near future. Efficient reorganization of hepatology units is a priority to minimise the impact of the pandemic on a population as vulnerable as liver disease patients.

Hepatic transplant during SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. A literature review.

ANTECEDENTES: En diciembre de 2019 se identificó en la ciudad de Wuhan, China, un nuevo beta coronavirus, el SARS-CoV-2, como agente causal de neumonía grave, conocida como COVID-19, lo cual ha provocado medidas estrictas de aislamiento, cierre de programas de trasplante hepático y la necesidad de modificar los protocolos de tratamiento. OBJETIVO: Documentar la información publicada sobre el impacto de la COVID-19 en la población con antecedente de trasplante hepático y establecer un protocolo de tratamiento. MÉTODO: Se buscaron en PubMed los términos MeSH "SARS-CoV-2", "COVID-19", "trasplante hepático" y "tratamiento". RESULTADOS: Hasta el momento se ha demostrado en la población con trasplante hepático una mayor facilidad para adquirir el virus, sin una diferencia en la mortalidad al compararla con la población general. La inmunosupresión debe continuar, sin suspender los inhibidores de la calcineurina. Del tratamiento específico, los esteroides son los que han demostrado el mayor beneficio clínico y una disminución de la mortalidad. CONCLUSIÓN: El trasplante hepático no se asocia de manera independiente a una mayor mortalidad. Otros factores, además del trasplante, deben tomarse en cuenta al momento de establecer la gravedad. BACKGROUND: In December 2019, a new beta coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, was identified in the city of Wuhan, China, as a causative agent of severe pneumonia, known as COVID-19, which has led to strict isolation measures, closure of liver transplantation programs and the need to modify treatment protocols. OBJECTIVE: Document the information published so far on the impact of COVID-19 in the population with a history of liver transplantation and establish a treatment protocol. METHOD: MeSH terms were searched for "SARS-CoV-2", "COVID-19", "liver transplantation" and "treatment". RESULTS: Up to now, a greater ease in acquiring the virus has been shown in the liver transplant population, without a difference in mortality when compared to the general population. Immunosuppression should continue at the minimum tolerated levels, without suspending calcineurin inhibitors. Of the specific treatment, steroids are those that have shown the greatest clinical benefit and decreased mortality. CONCLUSION: Liver transplantation is not independently associated with higher mortality. Factors other than transplantation must be taken into account when considering the risk of severity.

Care transition for liver transplanted patients during the Covid-19 pandemic / Transición del cuidado de pacientes sometidos a transplante hepático durante la pandemia del Covid-19 / Transição do cuidado de pacientes submetidos ao transplante hepático durante a pandemia da Covid-19

ABSTRACT Objective: to submit the experience lived in the care transition for hospital discharge of patients undergoing liver transplantation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: an experience report on hospital discharge planning and care transition for patients undergoing liver transplantation at a teaching hospital. Results: after COVID-19 pandemic has been declared, several technological means were used to support self-care strategies at the time of the hospital-home transition, as well as remote care for patients focusing on doubts about the routine of care and treatments. In addition, new counterreferral strategies were structured, prioritizing safety and social isolation. Conclusion: the adjustments in care transition with the support of the technologies provided transplanted patients access to all the information that guides self-care. Likewise, they regulated the flow of the support network and the health network, decreasing the possibility for COVID-19 spread, infection and development.

RESUMEN Objetivo: presentar la experiencia en la transición del cuidado para el alta hospitalaria de pacientes sometidos a trasplante hepático en vistas de la pandemia del COVID-19. Método: informe de experiencia sobre la planificación del alta hospitalaria y la transición del cuidado de pacientes sometidos a trasplante hepático en un hospital escuela. Resultados: después de declarada la pandemia del COVID-19 se utilizaron diversos medios tecnológicos para respaldar las estrategias de autocuidado al momento de la transición entre el hospital y el domicilio, al igual que la asistencia remota a los pacientes enfocada en dudas acerca de la rutina de cuidados y tratamientos. También se estructuraron nuevas estrategias de contra-derivación, priorizando la seguridad y el aislamiento social. Conclusión: los ajustes en la transición del cuidado con el respaldo de las tecnologías viabilizaron el acceso de los pacientes trasplantados a todas las informaciones que guían el autocuidado. De igual manera, regularon el flujo de la red de apoyo y de la red de salud, reduciendo así la posibilidad de propagación, infección y desarrollo del COVID-19.

RESUMO Objetivo: apresentar a experiência vivenciada na transição do cuidado para alta hospitalar de pacientes submetidos ao transplante hepático em razão da pandemia da COVID-19. Método: relato de experiência sobre planejamento da alta hospitalar e transição do cuidado de pacientes submetidos ao transplante hepático em um hospital-escola. Resultados: após a declaração da pandemia da COVID-19 foram utilizados diversos meios tecnológicos para apoiar as estratégias de autocuidado no momento da transição entre hospital e domicílio. Assim como, atendimento remoto aos pacientes com foco em dúvidas acerca da rotina de cuidados e tratamentos. Além disso, novas estratégias de contrarreferência foram estruturadas, priorizando a segurança e o isolamento social. Conclusão: os ajustes na transição de cuidado com apoio das tecnologias oportunizaram acesso aos pacientes transplantados a todas as informações que orientam o autocuidado. Igualmente, regularam o fluxo da rede de apoio e rede de saúde, diminuindo a possibilidade de propagação, infecção e desenvolvimento da COVID-19.

Unexpected better outcome in a liver transplant recipient with COVID-19: a beneficial effect of tacrolimus? / Evolución clínica en un receptor de trasplante de hígado con la COVID-19: ¿Un efecto benéfico del tacrolimus?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a serious respiratory illness caused by SARS-CoV-2. There is controversy about whether their immunosuppressive status is a risk factor or a protective factor for developing severe disease. We report herein the clinical outcome of three family members that had COVID-19 infection, presenting with and without different risk factors that have been described in more severe disease. Paradoxically, the patient with more risks of developing a severe disease, a 64-year-old woman, 2-years liver transplant recipient under treatment with tacrolimus, presented a similar outcome compared to the two other members of the family. She showed shorter hospitalization time, similar clinical outcome with fewer oxygen needs. The present clinical observation raises the question about the possible beneficial effect of tacrolimus in patients with COVID-19. Indeed, tacrolimus (FK-506) have an inhibitory effect on human coronaviruses by: 1) an antiviral effect by binding to the FK-506-binding proteins (FKBP) with a subsequent inhibition of their peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPIase) activity, which seems to be important for the coronavirus life cycle; and 2) regulating the immune response by the inhibition of the activity of the nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) required for immunosuppression. The present observation states that liver recipients' patients with COVID-19 may not have worse outcomes when compared with other patients that have COVID-19 risk factors and puts in evidence the two mechanisms related to tacrolimus.

Pharmacologic management of patients with hepatic and pancreatic diseases that involve immunosuppressive therapies. Position statement within the framework of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. / Manejo farmacológico de pacientes con enfermedades hepáticas y pancreáticas que involucran terapias inmunosupresoras. Posicionamiento en el marco de la pandemia de SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. COVID-19 affected more than 6million persons worldwide in fewer than 4 months, after the report of the first cases in China in December 2019. The relation of the disease caused by SARS-Cov-2 to immunosuppressive treatment used in different gastrointestinal disorders is uncertain, resulting in debate with regard to suspending immunosuppressive therapy to improve infection outcome. Said suspension implies the inherent risk for graft rejection or autoimmune disease exacerbation that can potentially worsen the course of the infection. Based on the presently available evidence, a treatment stance has been established for patients with gastrointestinal diseases that require immunosuppressive therapy.

Liver transplant immunosuppression during the covid-19 pandemic. / Inmunosupresión en el trasplante hepático en la era covid-19.

SARS-CoV-2 infection has produced a pandemic with serious consequences for our health care system. Although liver transplant patients represent only a minority of the population, the hepatologists who follow these patients have tried to coordinate efforts to produce a protocol the management of immunosuppression during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although there are no solid studies to support general recommendations, experiences with other viral infections (hepatitis C, cytomegalovirus) suggest that management of immunosuppression without mycophenolate mofetil or m-Tor inhibitors (drugs that are also associated with leukopenia and lymphopenia) may be beneficial. It is also important to pay attention to possible drug interactions, especially in the case of tacrolimus, with some of the treatments with antiviral effect given in the context of COVID 19 (lopinavir/ritonavir, azithromycin). Finally, the immunosuppressive effect of immunomodulating drugs (tocilizumab and similar) administered to patients with severe lung disease should be taken into account. The mechanisms of action of the different immunosuppressive drugs are reviewed in this article, as well as their potential effect on SARS-CoV-2 infection, and suggests guidelines for the management of immunosuppression.