ABSTRACT
In December 2019, a number of cases of pneumonia with unknown causes were successively reported in multiple hospitals in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The pathogen is a novel coronavirus, which can lead to novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) and even threaten the patients' lives. In the following, the COVID-19 epidemic is spreading rapidly in many provinces and cities. It is particularly important to summarize and analyze the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in solid organ transplantation (SOT) recipients and to optimize the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment strategies. Therefore, we organized Chinese experts in the field of organ transplantation to draft this article according to the characteristics of lung infection of SOT recipients and the characteristics of current COVID-19 by referring to relevant guidelines and specifications at home and abroad, aiming to provide reference for transplant physicians in China. This management strategy will be revised at any time with the deepening understanding of the COVID-19 infection.
ABSTRACT
In December 2019, a novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak in Hubei Province spread rapidly to many provinces and cities. As organ transplantation is in the stage of high-quality development in China, how to carry out organ donation and transplantation in a scientific and orderly manner during the severe epidemic, summarize and analyze the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 on organ transplant recipients, and optimize the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment strategies of COVID-19 to ensure medical safety is essential to the development of organ transplantation and the treatment of the patients with end-stage organ failure as well as the overall situation of the prevention and control of COVID-19 epidemic. Thus, based on the instructions of the National Health Committee, the guidelines are issued by several experts organized by Branch of Organ Transplantation of Chinese Medical Association, providing help to the workers and managers of organ donation and transplantation in China. Approved by the Standing Committee of Branch of Organ Transplantation of Chinese Medical Association, the guidelines adopt the 'expert advice', 'prevention and control strategies' and 'guidance' published in China for reference, and will be revised upon changes of the further understanding of COVID-19 and epidemic control situation.