A Recipient and Donor Both Have COVID-19 Disease. Should We Perform a Liver Transplant?

Abstract

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is a new infectious disease that continues to spread globally. There is growing concern about donor-induced transmission of Coronavirus 2 (SARS ‐CoV‐2). For liver transplantation, the COVID-19 PCR test is routine, in addition to epidemiological history and clinical and radiological examination 24–48 h before surgery. One of the liver transplant candidates was found to be infected with COVID-19, as well as the planned donor candidate. Since COVID-19 will be a high-risk operation for both the recipient and the donor, the operation was postponed by giving medical treatment. After the treatment and quarantine process was over, the patient and the donor then had a negative COVID-19 PCR test and the patient received a living donor liver transplant. We present a case of donor and recipient who initially both tested positive for COVID-19. This liver transplantation scenario has not previously been reported in the literature.