COVID-19 in Renal Transplant Recipients: Case Series and a Brief Review of Current Evidence

We report 8 cases of kidney transplant recipients infected with COVID-19 (median age = 48.5 years; range = 21 –71 years), including 4 males and 4 females. The most frequently associated comorbidity was hypertension. The most common presenting features were fever and cough. The main radiological investigation was a portable chest X-ray. Other common features included lymphopenia, high C-reactive protein, a nd a very high ferritin level. Overall, 1 patient was managed as an outpatient, the remaining 7 required hospital admission, 1 of them referred to the intensive therapy unit. Management included supportive treatment (intravenous fluid therapy, monitoring renal function, and symptomatic treatment wit h or without ward-based oxygen therapy depending on oxygen saturation) and discontinuation of the antiproliferative immunosuppressive drugs. Seven patients recovered and discharged home to self-isolate. One patient required intensive care treatment and mechanical ventilation. Supportive treatment co uld be sufficient for the management or to be tried first. We also found that short hospital stay with self-isolation on discharge reduces the burden on the health service and protect the staff and the public.Nephron
Source: Nephron - Category: Urology & Nephrology Source Type: research