The protective capacity and duration of humoral immunity after SARS‐CoV‐2 infection are not yet understood in solid organ transplant recipients. A prospective multicenter study was performed to evaluate the persistence of anti‐nucleocapsid IgG antibodies in liver transplant recipients 6 months after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) resolution. A total of 71 liver transplant recipients were matched with 71 immunocompetent controls by a propensity score including variables with a well‐known prognostic impact in COVID‐19. Paired case–control serological data were also available in 62 liver transplant patients and 62 controls at month 3 after COVID‐19. Liver transplant recipients showed a lower incidence of anti‐nucleocapsid IgG antibodies at 3 months (77.4% vs. 100%, p < .001) and at 6 months (63.4% vs. 90.1%, p < .001). Lower levels of antibodies were also observed in liver transplant patients at 3 (p = .001) and 6 months (p < .001) after COVID‐19. In transplant patients, female gender (OR = 13.49, 95% CI: 2.17–83.8), a longer interval since transplantation (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.03–1.36), and therapy with renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors (OR = 7.11, 95% CI: 1.47–34.50) were independently associated with persistence of antibodies beyond 6 months after COVID‐19. Therefore, as compared with immunocompetent patients, liver transplant recipients show a lower prevalence of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies and more pronounced antibody levels decline.
Long-term humoral immunity and its protective role in liver transplantation (LT) patients have not been elucidated. We performed a prospective multicenter study to assess the persistence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in LT recipients 12 months after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A total of 65 LT recipients were matched with 65 nontransplanted patients by a propensity score including variables with recognized impact on COVID-19. LT recipients showed a lower prevalence of anti-nucleocapsid (27.7% versus 49.2%; P = 0.02) and anti-spike IgG antibodies (88.2% versus 100.0%; P = 0.02) at 12 months. Lower index values of anti-nucleocapsid IgG antibodies were also observed in transplantation patients 1 year after COVID-19 caballerO-MarcOs et al. caballerO-MarcOs et al.
Background: Spain is the world leader in organ donation, with a rate of 49.0 donations per million population. Nurse transplant coordinators fulfill key roles for the success of the complex donation process. Our aims were: (a) to describe the experience of nurse transplant coordinators and (b) to identify barriers and facilitators during the process of organ donation. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted within the National Transplant Organization. A purposive sampling method was used, and data collection methods included semistructured interviews, researcher field notes, and participants’ personal letters. A systematic text condensation analysis was performed. The study was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee. Results: A total of 16 participants were recruited and four themes were identified: (a) a different job for nurses, (b) facilitators and barriers of the coordinator’s job, (c) not a job for a novice nurse, and (d) coordinators facing a paradigm shift. Coordinators described their job as being characterized with uncertainty and having to face emotional and institutional barriers. The facilitators identified were high educational level and training, and feelings of pride for being part of the National Transplant Organization. Conclusions: The organ donation process requires specialized training to avoid organizational barriers.
The main purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between resilience and health-related quality of life in patients following COVID-19 disease among those with and without lingering symptoms. The study design is descriptive and cross-sectional. Participants ( n = 97) were adults who had earlier contracted COVID-19 disease and were in post-infection status between July and October 2020. Participants completed the following instruments: Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Short-Form 12-item Health Survey, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Approximately 35% post-COVID-19 patients had a low level of resilience. The impact on the health status and resilience of those who had reported symptoms after 6 months was also significant. Age and depression had a significant impact on level of resilience. This relationship can affect patient recovery and negatively impact the ability to cope with COVID-19 disease. It is necessary to implement specialized training for clinicians on the effects of long-term COVID-19 to improve patient care. Long COVID symptoms might manifest months after an acute COVID-19 illness; clinicians who can confirm patient reports of these symptoms may help patients recover and become more resilient.
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