The COVID-19 pandemic: A community approach

Area of Science:

• Transplantation Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Virology

Background:

• The global COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has severely impacted healthcare systems worldwide.
• There is a significant lack of established consensus regarding the management of solid organ transplant recipients and donors during the pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize collaborative, multicenter, and multinational discussions on managing solid organ transplant recipients and donors during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
• To provide timely knowledge sharing in a rapidly evolving global health crisis.

Main Methods:

• Leveraged the American Society of Transplantation's online community platform for expert discussions.
• Synthesized insights from collaborative discussions among international experts.
• Integrated the latest published scientific literature on the topic.

Main Results:

• Highlighted key areas of uncertainty and emerging consensus in transplant management during the pandemic.
• Identified critical considerations for both solid organ transplant recipients and donors.
• Presented a summary of expert opinions and evidence-based recommendations.

Conclusions:

• Emphasized the need for ongoing collaboration and knowledge exchange in managing transplant patients during infectious disease outbreaks.
• Provided a foundational summary to guide clinical practice and future research in transplantation during pandemics.
• Underscored the dynamic nature of SARS-CoV-2 management in the context of solid organ transplantation.