159. Transplant Transmitted Infectious Among Recipients of Drowned Donor Organs: A Six Year DTAC Experience
Authors: Miller Rachel A , Heun Lee Dong , Te Helen S , Hughart Anna , Abidi Maheen , Berry Gerald J , Danziger-Isakov Lara A , Fisher Cynthia E , Handarova Dzhuliyana , Ho Chak-Sum , Graves Riki , Kittleson Michelle , Marboe Charles , Sellers Marty T , Taimur Sarah , Sharma Tanvi S , Trindade Anil J , Wood R Patrick , Zaffiri Lorenzo , Watkins Tamika , Pouch Stephanie M 
Published: January 2025

Background

Characterization of transplant transmitted infections associated with drowned organ donors and the recipients is not well delineated, posing challenges for optimal management and prophylaxis strategies. Broader organ sharing may pose additional considerations due to pathogen variation.

Methods

We reviewed 22 potential donor disease transmission events (PDDTEs) from drowned donors reported to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) ad hoc Disease Transmission Advisory Committee (DTAC) from 2017-2022 to estimate the incidence of PDDTEs among all US drowned organ donors and identify the most common pathogens in this setting. We also characterized donor/recipient epidemiology, infection timing and risk factors, and recipient survival.

Results

From 2017-2022, drowning was the mechanism of death in 777/74,232 (1.0%) of all US organ donors, from whom 2500 organs were transplanted. Among the 22 PDDTEs, there were 70 organ recipients. The median donor age was 17.5 years (range 1-70 years) and lung recipients accounted for 5/70 organ recipients. All PDDTE reports were submitted due to recipient disease, and index cases occurred 2-19 days post-transplant. 7/22 (7/777 drowned donors, 0.9%) PDDTEs were associated with pathogens consistent with plausible waterborne transmission, of which 4 were due to invasive molds (Zygomycetes and Scedosporium) and 3 were due to bacteria (Pseudomonas and Legionella). Of the 21 organ recipients from these 7 donors, 8 had proven or probable infections. 6/8 recipients had severe infection with 3 deaths, all from invasive mold infections. There were no identifiable infection risk factors related to drowning water source, donor immersion time, or geographic region. However, donor/recipient regional discordance occurred in 5/21 recipients, demonstrating the trend in broader organ sharing.

Conclusion

Though rare, organ recipients are at risk for transplant transmitted infection from drowned donors, particularly invasive mold infections. All infections occurred within the first month after transplant with high associated mortality. Though optimal management and prophylaxis strategies in these scenarios remain uncertain, post-transplant vigilance for early infection is paramount.

Disclosures

Helen S. Te, MD, CVS Caremark: Advisor/Consultant Lara A. Danziger-Isakov, MD, MPH, Aicuris: clinical research contract, paid to institutio|Ansun BioPharma: clinical research contract, paid to institution|Astellas: Advisor/Consultant|Astellas: clinical research contract, paid to institutio|Merck: clinical research contract, paid to institutio|Pfizer: Grant/Research Support|Takeda: clinical research contract, paid to institutio Anil J. Trindade, MD, CareDx, Inc.: Advisor/Consultant|CareDx, Inc.: Grant/Research Support|TFF Pharmaceuticals: Advisor/Consultant|Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Grant/Research Support