AUTHOR=Peghin Maddalena , Graziano Elena , De Martino Maria , Balsamo Maria Luisa , Isola Miriam , López-Fraga Marta , Cardillo Massimo , Feltrin Giuseppe , Domínguez-Gil González Beatriz , Grossi Paolo Antonio ,  The COVIDonors COE Study Group 

TITLE=Acceptance of Organs from Deceased Donors With Resolved or Active SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Survey From the Council of Europe

JOURNAL=Transplant International

VOLUME=Volume 37 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/journals/transplant-international/articles/10.3389/ti.2024.13705

DOI=10.3389/ti.2024.13705

ISSN=1432-2277

ABSTRACT=SARS-CoV-2 infection represents a new challenge for solid organ transplantation (SOT) with evolving recommendations. A cross-sectional survey was performed (February – June 2024) to describe practices among Member States of the Council of Europe (COE) on the use of organs from deceased donors with resolved or active SARS-CoV-2 infection. Overall, 32 out of47Member States with a transplant program participated in the study. Four (12.5%) countries did not use organs from deceased donors either with resolved or with active SARS-CoV-2 infection and 8 (25%) countries accepted organs only from deceased donors with resolved SARS-CoV-2 infection. Donor evaluation for SARS-CoV-2included universal screening with standard PCR testing on respiratory specimens generally (61.4%) performed within 24 hours prior to organ recovery. Further microbiological, immunological and radiological investigations varied. Most waitlisted patients receiving organs from a deceased donor with active (94.5%) or resolved (61.5%) SARS‑CoV‑2 infection were preferred to have natural, vaccine-induced or hybrid SARS-CoV-2immunity. Most countries did not require recipients to undergo specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 treatment as pre-exposure (0%), post-exposure prophylaxis (15.4%) or modification of immunosuppression regimen (24%). This study highlights similarities and heterogeneities in the management of SARS-CoV-2positive donors between COE countries, and a potential to safely expand donors’ pool.