Core Concepts
Kidneys from COVID-19-positive donors are safe for transplant, with no increased risk of rejection or failure.
Abstract
The content discusses the safety of using kidneys from donors with resolved or active COVID-19 for transplantation. It presents findings from a retrospective cohort study involving deceased donors, kidney recipients, and patient outcomes over a two-year period. The study indicates a decreasing reluctance to use kidneys from COVID-19-positive donors and emphasizes the lack of increased risk associated with these organs.
Key Highlights:
- Patients receiving kidneys from COVID-19-positive donors show no greater risk of poor outcomes or death.
- The study found a decline in the nonuse of kidneys from COVID-19-positive donors over time.
- Kidneys from donors with resolved or active COVID-19 did not have an increased risk of rejection or failure.
- Outcomes associated with kidneys from COVID-19-positive donors were comparable to those from COVID-19-negative donors.
- The study supports the safety of using organs from donors with resolved or active COVID-19 for transplantation.
Stats
"Among the donors, the mean age was 42.5 years, 62.3% were male and 66.9% were White, and among the recipients, the mean age was 54.3, 60.9% were male and 33.4% were Black."
"Overall, kidneys from donors with active COVID-19 had a significantly higher likelihood of not being used vs kidneys from COVID-19–negative donors (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.55)."
"The rate of nonuse from active COVID-19 donors declined significantly by 2021 (AOR, 2.09), and dropped further by 2022 (AOR, 1.47)."
Quotes
"Our study shows no increased risk of rejection and no increased risk of kidney failure with the use of kidneys from COVID-19–positive donors." - Alhamad
"Transplant of kidneys from donors with resolved or active COVID-19 was not associated with increased risk of all-cause graft loss, all-cause death, acute rejection, delayed graft function, or longer hospitalization over more than 2 years of follow-up compared with kidneys from COVID-19–negative donors." - Authors