Influenza in Liver and Kidney Transplant Recipients: Incidence and Outcomes
Nicoline Stender Arentoft, Dina Leth Møller, Andreas Dehlbæk Knudsen, Ranya Abdulovski, Nikolai Kirkby, Søren Schwartz Sørensen, Allan Rasmussen, Susanne Dam Nielsen
Abstract
Influenza is a common respiratory virus in solid organ transplant recipients that may have severe complications, including pneumonia and hospitalization. This study investigates the incidence, risk factors, and complications of influenza in a Danish cohort of kidney and liver transplant recipients over 10 consecutive influenza seasons. The study shows a high incidence of influenza and a high frequency of both pneumonia and hospitalization. This emphasizes the importance of continuous focus on influenza in this vulnerable group. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of influenza has been low due to COVID-related restrictions, and immunity may have waned. However, as most countries have now opened up, the incidence of influenza is expected to be high this season.