Modification in induction immunosuppression regimens to safely perform kidney transplants amid the COVID‐19 pandemic: A single‐center retrospective study

Abstract Background The COVID‐19 pandemic has negatively impacted organ donation and transplantation across the globe. Methods This study analyzed transplant outcomes during pre‐pandemic [PPE, 1/2019–2/2020] era [PE, 3/2020–8/2020] based on changes in induction immunosuppression. During PPE, high immunological risk patients received 4–6 mg/kg, moderate 2–4 low 1–2 mg/kg of ATG. PE, ATG doses were reduced to 3–4 for risk, moderate, changed basiliximab. Primary are as follows: biopsy‐proven rejection [BPAR], de‐novo donor‐specific antibody [DSA], delayed graft function [DGF], infection rates, loss, all‐cause mortality. Results 224 kidney transplants [KTx] 14 kidney/pancreas [KP] included, while 180 KTx 5 KP included PE. Basiliximab use increased by 30% odds DGF statistically significant between PE vs OR 1.7 [1.05, 2.8, p ‐value = .042]. developing DSAs BPAR vs. PPE 0.34 [0.16, 0.71, .004] (0.1 1.1, ‐value, .104)], respectively. Cytomegalovirus [19% 37% PPE] BK virus [5.4% 16% incidence PPE. COVID‐19, mortality comparable groups. Conclusion performed safely with a reduction