Organ recovery from deceased donors with prior COVID‐19: A case series

Abstract

Although guidance documents have been published regarding organ donation from individuals with a prior history of COVID‐19 infection, no data exist regarding successful recovery and transplantation from deceased donors with a history of or positive testing suggesting a prior SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Here, we report a case series of six deceased donors with a history of COVID‐19 from whom 13 organs were recovered and transplanted through several of the nation's organ procurement organizations (OPOs). In addition, at least two potential donors were authorized for donation but with no organs were successfully allocated and did not proceed to recovery. No transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2 was reported from the six donors to recipients, procurement teams, or hospital personnel. Although more studies are needed, organ donation from deceased donors who have recovered from COVID‐19 should be considered.

Early success transplanting kidneys from donors with new SARS-CoV-2 RNA positivity: A report of 10 cases

“…Multiple cases have now been reported using organs from SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA‐positive donors with prior documented and resolved infection. 26 The cycle threshold, an inverse correlate with the viral load, may help determine the likelihood of productive infection (either extremely early or late in infection) but is not available from many SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA testing platforms and was not available in time to influence clinical decisions for most of these donors. SARS‐CoV‐2 serology may also aid in assessing acute or resolved infection but the commercial tests, authorized under emergency use, have not been well validated for clinical use.…”

Kidney transplantation from a SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive donor for the recipients with immunity after COVID‐19

“…Therefore, further monitoring of the recipients is needed. This may help to improve the current understanding of the impacts of the pandemic on transplantation practices 14 …”

A case report of successful kidney transplantation from a deceased donor with terminal COVID‐19‐related lung damage: Ongoing dilemma between discarding and accepting organs in COVID‐19 era!

“…Previously there have been reports of transplantation from a deceased donor who had a history of COVID‐19. 14 , 15 The prime difference in our report is the fact that COVID‐19 was the actual cause of death in our report. Abandoning deceased donor kidney transplantation in will resulted in the wastage of organs and further extension of wait listing in patients.…”