Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most important pathogens that infect solid organ transplant recipients. CMV is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in this population as a result of its numerous direct and indirect effects. Prevention strategies consist of preemptive therapy and antiviral prophylaxis, and the choice of which preventive approach to implement should be guided by advantages and drawbacks related to the population being managed. There are differences in the approaches to the laboratory diagnosis and treatment of CMV infection and disease depending on assay availability, clinical presentation, disease severity, and specific transplant populations. In this article, the authors aim to summarize recent publications and updates in the epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of CMV infection in solid organ transplant recipients during the past year, including a brief review of future directions in the field.
In this cohort of predominantly living donor kidney transplant recipients, we report a high incidence of UTI, despite our practice of early ureteral and Foley catheter removal. Female gender and prior recurrent UTI or urological abnormalities were predisposing factors, while TMP-SMZ use had a protective role. These clinical relevant findings should guide clinicians in optimizing prevention strategies against UTI in kidney transplant recipients.
When kidney function was measured by eGFR and creatinine, there was no significant difference in allograft function between kidney recipients with or without UTI. However, when kidney function was measured by nuclear studies, there was a tendency toward impairment in allograft function among patients who developed atleast one UTI after transplantation.
Background
Bamlanivimab and casirivimab-imdevimab are authorized for emergency use treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in patients at high-risk for developing severe disease or hospitalization. Their safety and efficacy have not been specifically evaluated in solid organ transplant recipients.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed solid organ transplant recipients who received monoclonal antibody infusion for COVID-19 at Mayo Clinic sites through January 23, 2021. Outcomes included emergency department visit, hospitalization, mortality, and allograft rejection.
Results
Seventy-three patients were treated, most commonly with bamlanivimab (75.3%). Median age was 59 years, 63% were male, and the median Charlson comorbidity index was 5. Transplant type included 41 kidney (56.2%), 13 liver (17.8%), 11 heart (15.1%), 4 kidney-pancreas (5.5%), 2 lung (2.7%), 1 heart-liver, and 1 pancreas. Eleven (15.1%) patients had an emergency department visit within 28 days of infusion, including 9 (12.3%) who were hospitalized for a median of 4 days. One patient required intensive care unit admission for a non-respiratory complication. No patients required mechanical ventilation, died, or experienced rejection. Ten adverse events occurred with one seeking medical evaluation. Hypertension was associated with hospital admission (p<.05) while other baseline characteristics were similar. Median time from symptom onset to antibody administration was 4 days in non-hospitalized patients compared to 6 days among hospitalized patients (p<.05).
Conclusions
Monoclonal antibody treatment has favorable outcomes with minimal adverse effects in solid organ transplant recipients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. Earlier administration of monoclonal antibody therapies appears to be more efficacious.
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