ABSTRACT
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID)-19 pandemic significantly affected transplantation care strategies due to the heightened vulnerability of transplant recipients to severe illness. We present a unique case of a 31-year-old female with COVID-19 pneumonia following a recent kidney transplant managed with immunosuppressant reduction and tocilizumab therapy. The patient underwent live donor kidney transplantation and was considered a low immunologic risk recipient. Following surgery, she presented with fever, headache, and fatigue, and subsequent testing confirmed active COVID-19 infection. Imaging revealed characteristic pneumonia features. Standard approaches, including immunosuppressant reduction and antibiotic therapy, initially failed to halt clinical deterioration. Progressive radiological findings and increasing inflammatory markers raised concerns of impending graft failure and cytokine storm. Considering the severity of the condition, tocilizumab, an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist, was administered alongside continued supportive care and adjusted immunosuppression. Within a day post-tocilizumab infusion, the patient showed significant improvement in clinical parameters, with resolution of respiratory distress and systemic symptoms. Laboratory markers gradually normalized, and subsequent lung imaging showed improvement. The patient was discharged with follow-up recommendations. Managing COVID-19 in postoperative transplant patients requires nuanced approaches due to immunosuppression-related complexities. Despite limited guidance, our case highlights the successful use of tocilizumab in treating COVID-19 pneumonia shortly after transplantation, showcasing its potential effectiveness and safety in this context. Reporting such experiences is crucial for refining management strategies for immunocompromised transplant recipients facing COVID-19 complications.
