Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients run a high risk for adverse outcomes from COVID‐19, with reported mortality around 19%. We retrospectively reviewed all known Swedish SOT recipients with RT‐PCR confirmed COVID‐19 between March 1 and November 20, 2020 and analyzed patient characteristics, management, and outcome. We identified 230 patients with a median age of 54.0 years (13.2), who were predominantly male (64%). Most patients were hospitalized (64%), but 36% remained outpatients. Age >50 and male sex were among predictors of transition from outpatient to inpatient status. National early warning Score 2 (NEWS2) at presentation was higher in non‐survivors. Thirty‐day all‐cause mortality was 9.6% (15.0% for inpatients), increased with age and BMI, and was higher in men. Renal function decreased during COVID‐19 but recovered in most patients. SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies were identified in 78% of patients at 1–2 months post‐infection. Nucleocapsid‐specific antibodies decreased to 38% after 6–7 months, while spike‐specific antibody responses were more durable. Seroprevalence in 559 asymptomatic patients was 1.4%. Many patients can be managed on an outpatient basis aided by risk stratification with age, sex, and NEWS2 score. Factors associated with adverse outcomes include older age, male sex, greater BMI, and a higher NEWS2 score.

We describe the presumably first intentional ABO-incompatible deceased-donor kidney and pancreas transplantation with a severe antibody-mediated rejection during a rebound of isoagglutinins. Rejection was successfully treated with eculizumab, which inhibits the terminal pathway of complement. Complement analysis (C3, C3d,g, and a modified assay of classical complement-related hemolytic function) documented complement activation and confirmed that eculizumab completely blocked complement function. At 6 months, the patient had normal kidney and pancreas function, and histological evaluations revealed no evidence of sustained graft damage. This successful transplantation suggests that ABO barriers can safely be overcome without extensive preconditioning, when the complement inhibitor eculizumab is included.

Sotrastaurin, a novel immunosuppressant, blocks early T cell activation through protein kinase C inhibition. Efficacy and safety of sotrastaurin with tacrolimus were assessed in a dose-ranging noninferiority study in renal transplant recipients. A total of 298 patients were randomized 1:1:1:1 to receive sotrastaurin 100 (n ¼ 77; discontinued in December 2011) or 200 mg (n ¼ 73) b.i.d. plus standard tacrolimus (sTAC; 5-12 ng/mL), sotrastaurin 300 mg (n ¼ 75) b.i.d. plus reduced tacrolimus (rTAC; 2-5 ng/mL) or enteric-coated mycophenolic acid (MPA) plus sTAC (n ¼ 73); all patients received basiliximab and corticosteroids. Composite efficacy failure (treated biopsyproven acute rejection ! grade IA, graft loss, death or loss to follow up) rates at Month 12 were 18.8%, 12.4%, 10.9% and 14.0% for the sotrastaurin 100, 200 and 300 mg, and MPA groups, respectively. The median estimated glomerular filtration rates were 55.7, 53.3, 64.9 and 59.2 mL/min, respectively. Mean heart rates were faster with higher sotrastaurin doses and discontinuations due to adverse events and gastrointestinal adverse events were more common. Fewer patients in the sotrastaurin groups experienced leukopenia than in the MPA group (1.3-5.5% vs. 16.5%). Sotrastaurin 200 and 300 mg had comparable efficacy to MPA in prevention of rejection with no significant difference in renal function between the groups.

Background Living anonymous donation (LAD) of kidneys was introduced in Sweden in 2004. This study reports on outcomes of Swedish LAD experiences from 2004 to 2016, focusing on donors’ motives, the care they received, psychosocial aspects, and medical status at follow-up. Material/Methods Donor data were collected through a physician interview, medical check-up, review of medical charts, the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), and a routine national questionnaire. Of the 26 LADs during the study period, 1 donor died and 1 declined to participate, leaving a study population of 24. Results Half of the donors were male, which is a higher proportion than for directed living donors. The major motive detected was altruism. Of the 24 LADs, 96% were very satisfied and would donate again if possible, 46% noted increased self-esteem, and a third were happier after the donation. Sixty-two percent received anonymous information about the recipient and 40% would have liked to meet the recipient. HADS scores were normal. Two donors had antidepressant treatment, 1 of whom had received treatment before donation. Half mentioned that the pre-donation assessment took too long. At follow-up, mean eGFR was 62±12 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , of which 16 were in CKD II and 8 were in CKD III. Four donors had developed hypertension, 1 of whom also developed type 2 diabetes. Conclusions Swedish LADs are very satisfied and medical outcomes are acceptable. We propose that the transplant community and the National Board of Health and Welfare take a more active approach to informing the general public about LAD.