COVID-19 reveals novel signs in transplant recipients during medical procedures

Spanish hospital researchers probe clinical and prognostic factors in solid organ transplant recipients battling COVID-19, emphasizing the importance of stringent precautions during the early post-transplantation phase.

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2025 September 12 . 1:48 AM

1 min read

Uncovering novel health markers in organ transplant recipients battling COVID-19

COVID-19 reveals novel signs in transplant recipients during medical procedures

A new study led by researchers from 12 Spanish hospitals, funded by the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, has provided valuable insights into the clinical characteristics and prognosis of solid organ transplant recipients with COVID-19.

Led by Dr. Elisa Cordero, the study analysed 210 patients with COVID-19, with 140 (70.5%) being male and an average age of 63 years. The research received funding through the call for Research Projects on SARS-CoV-2 and Covid-19 (COV20/00370) and the Clinical Research Support Platform of the ISCIII.

The study found that SARS-CoV-2 infection is more severe in patients who have received a solid organ transplant, especially in the first months after transplantation. Advanced age, respiratory failure, a drop in lymphocytes, and elevated lactate dehydrogenase enzyme were associated with the need to admit patients to intensive care or mortality.

The most frequent symptoms presented in the study were fever, cough, gastrointestinal disorders, and dyspnoea. Seventeen percent of the analysed patients required admission to intensive care units, with 90% of the patients suffering from pneumonia.

The study also reported that five point seven percent of the patients suffered graft dysfunction. The research concluded with a mortality rate of 21.4%, with 45 of the 210 patients studied dying.

The study highlights the need to take preventive measures with recently transplanted patients to avoid all risk of COVID-19 infection. It provides useful clinical indicators to identify COVID-19 early in organ transplant recipients, emphasising the importance of continued research and care in this vulnerable population.