Paolo Antonio Grossi, Patrizia Burra, Emanuele Cozzi, Loreto Gesualdo, Giuseppe Grandaliano, Luciano Potena, Patrizio Vitulo
{"title":"An update on SARS-CoV-2 prevention strategy in solid organ transplant recipients: an expert opinion.","authors":"Paolo Antonio Grossi, Patrizia Burra, Emanuele Cozzi, Loreto Gesualdo, Giuseppe Grandaliano, Luciano Potena, Patrizio Vitulo","doi":"10.1016/j.trre.2025.100966","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trre.2025.100966","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Compared to immunocompetent individuals, solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) develop a weaker immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and vaccination. Although anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines can prevent symptomatic and severe disease, the SOTR population remains at risk as long as SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate. To protect transplanted patients against severe COVID-19, two primary preventive strategies have been proposed: anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with monoclonal antibodies that possess neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2. The effectiveness of vaccination varies depending on the type of organ transplanted and the immunosuppressive therapy used, whereas the effectiveness of PrEP does not depend on these factors. The timing of vaccination and PrEP administration is also crucial. A stronger immune response is observed when vaccination is conducted during the nadir of immunosuppressive therapy. However, when PrEP is administered concomitantly with the vaccine, the efficacy of the vaccination could be reduced, both in terms of antibody production and cell-mediated immunity. Therefore, PrEP should be administered at least 15 days after vaccine administration. In addition to the availability of various preventive measures against COVID-19 for the most vulnerable transplant patients, the scientific community strongly recommends adhering to protective measures, such as wearing masks, practicing hand hygiene, and maintaining social distancing. These expert recommendations offer crucial guidance on preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in solid organ transplant patients and are applicable to everyday clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":94259,"journal":{"name":"Transplantation reviews (Orlando, Fla.)","volume":"39 4","pages":"100966"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145260518","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Liesbet Van Bulck, Fiona Ecarnot, Mathilde Giffard
{"title":"Palliative care for solid organ transplant candidates and recipients: A scoping review.","authors":"Liesbet Van Bulck, Fiona Ecarnot, Mathilde Giffard","doi":"10.1016/j.trre.2025.100957","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trre.2025.100957","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Solid organ transplant patients experience high morbidity and mortality before and after transplantation. International guidelines recommend integrating palliative care into the management of patients with advanced organ failure, including transplant candidates and recipients, as it supports advance care planning, enhances communication and improves symptom management. However, it remains unknown how and to what extent palliative care is actually provided to these patients. The present scoping review aimed to systematically summarize and compare existing evidence regarding the integration of palliative care for solid organ transplant patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane and ClinicalTrials.gov for original articles published regarding the provision of palliative care to adult candidates or recipients of heart, lung, kidney, or liver transplant and/or their caregivers. This scoping review is reported in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidance.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirty-two articles were included. Most studies were conducted in the United States, included lung or liver patients, and relied on small samples. Overall, between 2 % and 53 % of patients had at least one palliative care consultation, and between 0 % and 35 % had end-of-life care conversations. Symptom management, especially pain and dyspnea, was the most important reason for referral. Some studies demonstrated that early palliative care interventions improved symptom management and care planning.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This scoping review shows that palliative care for organ transplant has received little attention heretofore. Further research is essential, especially for kidney and heart transplant patients, to determine optimal timing throughout the transplant journal, referral indications, and the effectiveness of palliative care interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":94259,"journal":{"name":"Transplantation reviews (Orlando, Fla.)","volume":"39 4","pages":"100957"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144823497","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}