COVID-19 Infection in Kidney Transplant Recipients: Single-Center Study

Abstract

Introduction : Renal transplant recipients receiving chronic immunosuppression have been considered a population at high risk for infections, complications and death related to COVID-19 infection. Results: The average age of the patients was 37.3 ± 12.1 years, with a male predominance (65.9%). At least one comorbidity was observed in 41% of patients; obese (27.3%), diabetics (20.5%), cardiovascular diseases (6.8%), and cancers (2.2%). 90.1% of patients were hospitalized, of which 10% were admitted to the intensive care unit. Of the hospitalized patients, 10% died. Antimetabolites were reduced in 91% and stopped in 9% of patients. Calcineurin inhibitors were discontinued in 11.3% of patients. Hydroxychloroquine was administered in 23 patients (52.3%), antivirals in one patient (2.3%) and antibiotics in 56.8% of cases. Conclusion: Close monitoring of kidney transplant recipients is required during a pandemic due to a high mortality rate. The management of kidney transplant recipients has been difficult for clinicians and strategies are not based on high quality evidence.