Omicron respiratory threat in renal transplant recipients

Omicron was identified as one of the worrisome strains of corona virus. Renal transplant recipients (RTRs) are classified as high-risk groups due to immunosuppressed conditions. Thus, this study was conducted with the aim of comparing these patients infected with the Omicron variant with the general population infected with this variant compare.

62 RTRs infected with the Omicron strain and 60 patients with non-RTRs who were hospitalized from 2021 to 2022 at the peak of Omicron in Tehran, Shiraz and Babol, Iran were included in the study. The two groups were compared regarding clinical findings, laboratory results, pulmonary manifestations on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), and adverse effects.

In both groups the most common respiratory symptoms were similar. The ground glass opacity was the most frequent finding on CT scan and was seen in 86 cases (70.5%). There was a reduced absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and platelet count (85.4% and 41.9%, respectively) in RTRs and the rise of creatinine levels was more in RTRs than those in non-RTRs (79% versus 31.6%). the disease severity (16.1% versus 5%, P = 0.008) and adverse outcomes, such as mechanical ventilation (MV) (12.9% versus 0%, P = 0.004), and the mortality rate was significantly higher in RTRs than the general population.

There was no significant difference in clinical symptoms between two groups except diarrhea. MV, ICU admission and mortality were significantly higher in RTRs under prolonged immunosuppression.