Prevalence of COVID-۱۹ and Following Personal Protective Protocols among Liver Transplant Candidates and Recipients and their Family Members

Introduction: Person-to-person transmission of COVID-۱۹ disease is reported to be the main route of transmission among the population putting organ transplant candidates and recipients at a high risk of morbidity and mortality. The present study aimed to assess the frequency of following COVID-۱۹ personal protective protocols among liver transplant candidates and recipients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, ۱۷۰ liver transplant candidates and recipients, as well as their family members (n=۳۴۸), at Guilan transplant center in Rasht, Iran, were selected via convenience sampling method. The participants’ clinical and demographical data, as well as history of COVID-۱۹ infection and adherence to personal protective protocols (mask usage, glove usage, and social and physical distancing), were recorded. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software (version ۲۲). Results: Out of ۱۷۰ participants, ۸۴ (۴۹.۴%) cases were liver transplant candidates, and ۸۶ (۵۱.۶%) subjects were liver transplant recipients. The mean age of liver transplant candidates was ۵۰.۲۴±۱۲.۸۳ years, while the mean age of liver transplant recipients was ۴۲.۹۷±۱۶.۵۶ years. The frequency of COVID-۱۹ infection among liver transplant candidates, liver transplant recipients, family members of liver transplant candidates, and family members of liver transplant recipients were ۳(۳.۶%), ۵(۵.۸%), ۴(۲.۴%), and ۲(۱.۱%), respectively. Patients and their family members' adherence to personal protective protocols was above ۹۰%. Conclusion: The obtained results pointed to the low frequency of SARS-CoV-۲ infection among liver transplant candidates and recipients. The findings highlighted the considerable impact of following personal protective protocols on the prevention of COVID-۱۹.

Keywords:

COVID-۱۹ , Liver transplantation , Protective factors , SARS-CoV-۲