Post-mortem molecular investigations of SARS-CoV-2 in an unexpected death of a recent kidney transplant recipient.

Solid organ transplant recipients are vulnerable to severe infection during induction therapy. We report a case of a 67-year-old male who died unexpectedly 10 days after receiving a kidney transplant on February 10, 2020. There was no clear cause of death, but COVID-19 was considered retrospectively, as the death occurred shortly after the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Canada. We confirmed the presence of SARS-CoV-2 components in the renal allograft and native lung tissue using immunohistochemistry for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and RNA scope in situ hybridization for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Results were reaffirmed with the Food and Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorization approved Bio-Rad SARS-CoV-2 digital droplet PCR for the kidney specimen. Our case highlights the importance of patient autopsies in an unfolding global pandemic and demonstrates the utility of molecular assays to diagnose SARS-CoV-2 post-mortem. SARS-CoV-2 infection during induction therapy may portend a fatal clinical outcome. We also suggest COVID-19 may be transmittable via renal transplant.

Endoscopic Clip MRI Screening: A Canada-Wide Policy Survey.

OBJECTIVE: Not all endoscopically placed clips are MRI compatible, so screening for endoscopic clips before MRI is recommended. The purpose of this study was to assess endoscopic clip screening practices at Canadian MRI centers, including number of centers that screen, specific screening methods, perceived safety of endoscopic clip models, and practices for dealing with confirmed gastrointestinal endoscopic clips. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A bilingual online survey was distributed to Canadian MRI centers to assess site demographics, endoscopic clip screening practices, safety considerations for different endoscopic clip models, protocols for dealing with patients with endoscopic clips, and the perceived value of screening. One year later, a secondary survey was distributed to the original participants to assess for changes made to screening policy after the initial survey and to assess awareness of any complications arising from the presence of endoscopic clips during MRI. RESULTS: Sixty-seven MRI centers completed the survey (55% response rate). Sixteen centers (24%) did not specifically screen for endoscopic clips, five because they were not aware that endoscopic clips may not be safe for MRI. Fifty-one centers (76%) did screen for endoscopic clips. At least 23% of screeners misclassified the safety of one or more MRI-unsafe clips. As many as 36% of screeners may perform MRI on patients with confirmed gastrointestinal endoscopic clips; 16% reschedule for more than 6 weeks after endoscopy; and 18% limit the field strength to 1.5 T, the safety of which is uncertain. CONCLUSION: Many Canadians are undergoing MRI without screening for endoscopic clips. Although the risks of MRI to patients with endoscopic clips is unclear, the misclassification of some endoscopic clip models and inconsistent protocols for dealing with confirmed endoscopic clips call for further research and unified evidence-based endoscopic clip screening standards.