COVID-19+ Kidney Transplant in US Veterans: An Opportunity to Increase Transplant Rates

ABSTRACT

Purpose: US veterans are less likely to be transplanted. This disparity is related to donor shortage. This study seeks to increase access to transplant of US veterans to transplants using covid+ organs. This provides high quality organs to underserved population, reduce discards and is safe. Report of safety of this strategy. Early reports demonstrates safety in using these organs. Method(s) Case presentation of two veterans transplanted with covid+ organs. Recipient and donor characteristics highlighted including vaccine status, antibody level (IgG) against Sars-CoV-2 prior to and following transplant. Organ function is reported and complications. Induction agent using non-depleting agent recorded. Informed consent obtained for covid+ organ. Infectious disease consultation. IgG antibody level check prior to transplant, and post transplant. Result(s) Two cases reported. Both had no complications related to covid. Excellent donors with KDPI <30. Cycle threshold 16 and above. Sequence 193 and 225. EPTS >85. Simulect and steroids used in both cases. Cold time short >16 hours. Both brain dead donors. LOS 7 and 8 days. PRA 0%. Donor blood group A and O. DGF in one recipient which recovered after 2 weeks see figure. The recipients had initially high antibody level which declined post transplant by 50%. See fig. Conclusion(s) Using Sars-CoV-2 donors is safe and provides a source of potential high quality organs in US Veterans who are generally underserved using informed consent. Full vaccination in recipient is a prerequisite. (Table Presented).