Introduction: Our modern world is facing extraordinary circumstances while passing through a serious pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) which may lead to multi-organ system failure & death. COVID-19 deaths may provide a potential source for kidneys available for transplantation. In our study, we are discussing the safety of receiving kidneys from donors who tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Methodology: All renal transplant recipients registered in UNOS database who had their transplants between 1st of March 2020 and 1st of June 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who received kidney transplants from a deceased donor with positive PCR of COVID-19 test were included in our study. Patients were followed up till 1st of July 2021. Data about recipient factors (age, sex, ethnicity, diabetes, date of renal transplant), transplant factors (type of induction therapy, maintenance immunosuppressive therapy, delayed graft functions, early post-operative rejection episodes, HLA mismatch, PRA level, cold ischemia time) and donor factors (age, sex, ethnicity, diabetes, hypertension, date of COVID-19 test, type of COVID-19 test) were collected. Outcome measured were post-transplant hospitalisation, acute rejection, delayed graft function, patient and graft survival till the end of the follow-up.

Results: 86 transplant patients received kidneys from deceased donors who tested positive for COVID-19 infection using PCR test. 60 patients received kidneys from deceased patients who tested positive for COVID-19 within 30 days pre-transplant. 26 patients received kidneys from deceased patients who tested positive for COVID-19 between 30 to 90 days pre-transplant. Number of post-transplant hospitalisation and acute rejection episodes were nil. 19.76% of the patients had delayed graft functions. Graft loss occurred in one patient due to graft vein thrombosis. Patient survival was 100%.

Conclusion: Receiving kidneys from deceased donors who tested positive for COVID-19 infection seems safe and does not affect hospitalisation, acute rejection rates, graft or patient survival. Longer follow-up is needed to confirm our results.

N.B: We presented similar abstract earlier in ESOT 2021 In our previous abstract, the number of patients included was very small. Only 5 patients. In the current abstract, we are presenting an updated results with much larger number of patients (85 patients).