Recommended prophylactic and management strategies for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in transplant recipients

Abstract

Since December 2019, increasing attention has been paid to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic in Wuhan, China. SARS-CoV-2 primarily invades the respiratory tract and lungs, leading to pneumonia and other systemic disorders. The effect of SARS-CoV-2 in transplant recipients has raised significant concerns, especially because there is a large population of transplant recipients in China. Based on the current epidemic situation, this study reviewed publications on this virus and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), analyzed common features of respiratory viral pneumonias, and presented the currently reported clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in transplant recipients to improve strategies regarding the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 in this special population.

Keywords: Corona virus disease 2019; Novel coronavirus; Pneumonia; Recipients; Transplantation.

Fig. 1

Imaging manifestation of a kidney transplant recipient infected with the COVID-19; female, 39 years old, 19 months after kidney transplant; moderate fever, dry cough and fatigue are the main symptoms of the patient.

Fig. 2

Imaging manifestation of a HSCT recipient infected with the CMV pneumonia; male, 40 years old, 3 years after HSCT; fever, cough, fatigue and progressive shortness of breath are the main symptoms of the patient.