OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to address existing knowledge gaps regarding risk stratification, best use of diagnostic resources, optimal treatment and general management of SARS-CoV-2 infection in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. As high-quality evidence specific to this fragile population is lacking, our final aim was to provide an expert consensus evidence-informed guidance that can aid clinicians in their daily practice. METHODS: This study was conducted within the Working Package 4 (WP4 - Fragile population cohorts) of the H2020 funded ORCHESTRA study [https://orchestra-cohort.eu]. Eight infectious disease and one clinical pharmacology specialists conducted a comprehensive scoping literature review which covered five key areas: the role of SOT as a risk factor for evolution to severe disease
the optimal use of diagnostic resources, considering cost-benefit ratios and appropriateness of active screening
a population-specific therapeutic management, including antiviral use and drug-drug interactions and appropriate duration of treatment
the potential need for withdrawal of immunosuppressive agents and management of potential donors and recipients with recent and/or ongoing SARS-CoV-2 infection at the time of transplantation. Based on this review, a 28-item questionnaire was developed and administered to a panel of experts through two rounds, following the Delphi methodology. RESULTS: The panel consisted of 21 experts, 13 females and 8 males, from Italy (n=11), Spain (n=5), Switzerland (n=2), Brazil (n=1), United States (n=1), and United Kingdom (n=1). Consensus was achieved for 18 out of 28 items after the first round and for 9 out of 13 items after the second round, according with agreement/disagreement levels obtained for each question and round, ten statements were finally produced. CONCLUSIONS: The consensus statements derived from this study offer a framework for standardizing care and improving outcomes in SOT recipients affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection in field where high-quality evidence specific to this high-risk population is currently lacking.