COVID-19 positive donor for solid organ transplantation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed organ donation and transplantation worldwide. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the uncertainty regarding the potential route of transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has created tremendous pressures on transplantation communities, and international organisations have advised against using organs from deceased donors who have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The possibility of SARS-CoV-2 transmission through organ donation has only been reported for lung transplantation; hence, based on current experience, transplantation of non-lung organs from donors with active SARS-CoV-2 infection has been considered possible and safe, at least over short-term follow-up. As the evolving outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 continues, alongside the presence of vaccines and new treatment options, clinicians should consider transplanting organs from deceased donors with active SARS-CoV-2 infection to recipients with limited opportunities for transplantation and those with specific natural or vaccine-induced immunity. This article proffers an expert opinion on the use of organs from deceased donors with resolved or active SARS-CoV-2 infection in the absence of more definitive data and standardised acceptance patterns.
Competing Interests: Conflict of interest PAG has the following conflict of interest: Consulting fees from Merck, Sharp & Dohme, Gilead Sciences, Takeda, Shionogi, Allovir; member of speakers bureau for Merck, Sharp & Dohme, Gilead Sciences, Takeda, Atara; MP has no conflicts of interest to declare. Please refer to the accompanying ICMJE disclosure forms for further details.
(Copyright © 2022 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)