Management of COVID-19 in Liver Transplant Recipients with Immunosuppressant Therapy: Experiences of an Iranian Transplant Registry

Background: Following the pandemic of COVID-19 and the increased COVID-19 risk in transplant patient receptions, the authors assessed the prevalence, clinical course, and the outcome of the COVID-19 infection among liver transplant receptions. Methods: : By designing and the use of researcher made questionnaire and the use of medical services, liver transplantation recipients under our center surveyed in terms of COVID-19 infection. Results: : Seven patients infected with COVID-19 were identified from 265 liver transplantation recipients. The majority of patients were male and had COVID-19 despite being in-home quarantine. All patients received immunosuppressive drugs during infection with COVID-19 with no change in the routine immunosuppressive therapy. Among the identified patients, 5 recovered and 2 died. One of the dead patients, in addition to having a liver transplant, suffered brain cancer with metastasis to the lungs. Conclusion: It seems that the in liver transplants infected with COVID-19, the immunosuppressive drugs causes mild to moderate illness, and even recover from the disease.However, more evidence is needed to prove this hypothesis. It is also recommended that transplant recipients should be warned about personal hygiene and closely be monitored by organ transplant centers.