TABLE 3.

Knowledge gaps and areas of future research in deceased donor screening and recipient treatment and protection

Screening of Patients Who are Potential Deceased Organ Donors

Laboratory tests and time from initial infection required to confirm resolution of COVID-19 to safely consider organ recovery from patient was previously infected with COVID-19.

The impact of vaccination or previous COVID-19 infection in potential recipients on accepting organs from previously COVID-19–infected donors.

Further research into specific radiologic findings either from CT scans or other modalities that may increase both the sensitivity and specificity of COVID-19 diagnosis in ways that are additive to PCR screening.

Further understanding of biologic mechanisms that would either support or refute the possibility of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from nonpulmonary transplanted organs.

Quantifying the variable risk of COVID-19 transmission from different organ transplantation (eg, lungs vs abdominal organs).

Short- and long-term outcomes of recipients who either accidentally or deliberately receive organs from patients with active COVID-19 infections.

Recipient Treatment and Protection

Assessment of reduction vs no reduction to induction and maintenance immunosuppression on COVID-19 and graft-related outcomes.

Data on COVID-19 risk and outcomes in transplant candidates from non-liver, non-kidney organ groups, specifically candidates for lung, heart, and pancreas transplant.

In solid organ transplant recipients and organ transplant candidates, knowledge of efficacy and safety of both preexposure prophylaxis in areas of high prevalence or postexposure prophylaxis after a confirmed exposure.

Efficacy and safety of antiviral and immunomodulatory COVID-19 therapies in SOT recipients.

Data on COVID-19 risk and outcomes in both pediatric organ transplant candidates and pediatric organ transplant recipients.

Efficacy of vaccinations against SARS-CoV-2 in solid organ transplant recipients.

Assessment of vaccine complications such as VITT on quality of organs and appropriateness for donation.

COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019; CT, computed tomography; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2; SOT, solid organ transplant; VITT, vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia.