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Introduction: A significant reduction of acute rejection rates was observed after using Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in renal transplant recipients (RTR). However, side-effects like hematological and gastrointestinal intolerance often occur when MMF is used in routine doses.MMF dose reduction is required during its side-effects or co-existing infection in RTR.The outcome of MMF dose modulation in RTR is not well established. COVID-19 pandemic has given an opportunity to study the effect of MMF dose modulation on graft function as large number of RTR who had Covid19 received MMF dose reduction or discontinuation. This study's objective was to determine whether MMF dose reduction or discontinuation was associated with the effect on allograft function after renal transplantation. We included all RTR who had an infection with SARS-CoV2 and received MMF dose reduction or discontinuation Methods: We prospectively collected data of Renal transplant recipients developing covid 19 infection during the first and second covid waves. Management including decision on admission, immunosuppression modulation, antibiotics were done based on clinician's discretion subject to logistics and the prevailing guidelines by the ISOT. All patients were followed up for minimum 15 months for graft dysfunction, biopsy rate, biopsy proven acute rejection ( BPAR). The effect of immunosuppression modulation - MMF cessation (Group A) Vs MMF reduction/no manipulation (Group B) and its bearing on the incidence of rejection and was compared. Additional factors such as follow - up sub therapeutic CNI levels, development of DSA ( when done ), steroid increment were studied regression model. Kaplan - meier survival curves for 24 months drawn. Result(s): Among 251 renal transplant patients with SARS-CoV2 infection, 38 patients died during Index admission. 45 patients has not completed for 15 months.168 patients completed 15 month follow - up. Among them, anti-metabolite were reduced in 115 ( 68.5%), stopped in 42 (25%), not manipulated in 5 ( 3%) and 6 patients were not on anti-metabolites and hence excluded from present analysis. Of the 162 patients, MMF had been stopped for 2 weeks or until presumed clinical recovery in 42 patients ( Group A) and the rest in 120 patients ( Group B). Mean age was 41.18 ( +/- 12.8) and 75.6 % had mild COVID. Median duration of follow-up was 18 months ( 14q1-22q3 months). Total Readmission rate was 66 ( 40.7%) (Group A 21( 50%) Vs Group B 45 ( 37.5 %). Graft Biopsy was done in 16% of patients. 9.3 % patients had acute rejection ( 11.9% Vs 8.3%, p 0.05). Among those who had rejection, ABMR was seen in 2, ACR in 3, CABMR in 5 and combined rejection in 1. Conclusion(s): MMF dose modulation to tackle an infectious episode may be associated with graft dysfunction and rejection on follow-up and close follow up is needed in any patient in whom MMF dose in manipulated No conflict of interestCopyright © 2023
ABSTRACT
Cellular and humoral responses are required for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) eradication. Antigen-presenting cells load SARS-CoV-2 peptides on human leukocyte antigen (HLA) with different avidities and present to T- and B-cells for imposing humoral and cellular responses. Due to immunosuppression, renal transplant recipient (RTR) patients are speculated to poorly form the antibody against the SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, determining the association of specific HLA alleles with anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibody formation will be helpful in managing the RTR having specific HLA alleles from SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination. Material(s) and Method(s): In this study, anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibody in 161 RTRs was determined by the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay methods, and HLA alleles were determined by the polymerase chain reaction-single-strand oligonucleotide methods and analyzed to study the HLA allele association with anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-specific humoral response and severity of COVID-19 symptoms in recently SARS-CoV-2-infected RTRs. Result(s): The anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein specific antibody seroconversion rate in RTRs was 90.06% with a median titer of 751.80 AU/ml. The HLA class I alleles, A*11 in 22.1%, A*24 in 21.37%, A*33 in 20.68%, HLA B*15 in 11%, B*07 in 8.27%, HLA-C*30 in 20.93%, C*70 in 23.25% and HLA Class II alleles, DRB1*07 in 18.62%, DRB1*04 in 13.8%, HLA-DRB1*10 in 14.48%, HLA-DQA1*50 in 32.55% of RTRs were associated with the seroconversion. The mean SARS-CoV-2 clearance time was 18.25 +/- 8.14 days. Conclusion(s): RTRs with SARS-CoV-2 infection developed a robust seroconversion rate of 90.0% and different alleles of HLA-B, DRB1, and DQA1 were significantly associated with the seroconversion. Copyright © 2022 Indian Journal of Transplantation.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: A significant reduction of acute rejection rates was observed after using Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in renal transplant recipients (RTR). However side-effects like hematological and gastrointestinal intolerance often occur when MMF is used in routine doses. MMF dose reduction is required during its side-effects or coexisting infection in RTR. The outcome of MMF dose modulation in RTR is not well established AIM OF THE STUDY: COVID-19 pandemic has given an opportunity to study the effect of MMF dose modulation on graft function as large number of RTR who had COVID-19 received MMF dose reduction or discontinuation. This study's objective was to determine whether MMF dose reduction or discontinuation was associated with the effect on allograft function after renal transplantation. We included all RTR who had an infection with SARS-CoV2 and received MMF dose reduction or discontinuation METHODS: We prospectively collected data of renal transplant recipients developing COVID-19 infection during the first and second covid waves. Management including decision on admission immunosuppression modulation antibiotics were done based on clinician'S discretion subject to logistics and the prevailing guidelines by the ISOT. All patients were followed up for minimum 15 months for graft dysfunction biopsy rate biopsy-proven acute rejection ( BPAR). The effect of immunosuppression modulation - MMF cessation (Group A) Vs MMF reduction/no manipulation (Group B) and its bearing on the incidence of rejection and was compared. Additional factors such as follow - up sub therapeutic CNI levels development of DSA ( when done ) steroid increment were studied regression model. Kaplan - Meier survival curves for 24 months drawn. RESULT(S): Among 251 renal transplant patients with SARSCoV2 infection, 38 patients died during Index admission. 45 patients have not completed for 15 months. 168 patients completed 15 month follow - up. Among them, antimetabolite were reduced in 115 (68.5%), stopped in 42 (25%), not manipulated in 5 ( 3%) and 6 patients were not on anti-metabolites and hence excluded from present analysis. Of the 162 patients, MMF had been stopped for 2 weeks or until presumed clinical recovery in 42 patients ( Group A) and the rest in 120 patients ( Group B). Mean age was 41.18 ( i' +/- 12.8), and 75.6% had mild COVID. Median duration of followup was 18 months ( 14q1-22q3 months). Total readmission rate was 66 (40.7%) (Group A 21 (50%) Vs Group B 45 (37.5%). Graft biopsy was done in 16% of patients. 9.3% patients had acute rejection (11.9% Vs 8.3%, p 0.05). Among those who had rejection, ABMR was seen in 2, ACR in 3, CABMR in 5 and combined rejection in 1 CONCLUSION(S): MMF dose modulation to tackle an infectious episode may be associated with graft dysfunction and rejection on follow-up and close follow-up is needed in any patient in whom MMF dose in manipulated.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the outcomes of COVID-19 Renal Transplant Recipients (RTRs) managed on an ambulatory basis to that of inpatient management. DESIGN, SETTING, MATERIALS, AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study in Lucknow, India, comparing the ambulatory management with the historical cohort managed in the hospital.R RTRs with mild COVID-19 were managed by supervised home-based self-monitoring (HBSM), a strategy to manage this high-risk group on an outpatient basis during the second wave of the pandemic. The primary outcome was the clinical deterioration to a higher severity category among RTRs with mild COVID-19 managed by HBSM compared to hospitalized patients within two weeks of disease onset. RESULTS: Of the 149 RTRs with mild COVID-19, 94 (63%) and 55 (37%) were managed by HBSM and in the hospital, respectively. The proportion of RTRs who clinically deteriorated to a higher severity category (moderate or severe category) was similar among both groups (28.7% versus 27.2%, P=0.849). Among RTRs with clinical deterioration, COVID-19-related death was reported in two patients of the HBSM group and in none of the patients of the hospitalized group. Graft dysfunction was higher in the hospitalized group (7.4% versus 27.2%, P=0.002). Median time to complete clinical recovery (7 days in both groups), secondary bacterial infections (25% versus 33.3%, P=0.41), and the mean decline in EQ-5D score from baseline at six weeks (-6.6 versus-4.3, P=0.105) were found to be similar in both groups.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Clinical Deterioration , Kidney Transplantation , COVID-19/epidemiology , Humans , Retrospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Asymptomatic maintenance hemodialysis patients with SARS-COV-2are missed with pre-dialysis screening without testing. The possible ideal strategy of testing each patient before each shift with RT-PCR was not feasible. We aimed to study the effectiveness of fortnightly screening with RT-PCR for SARSCoV-2 in curbing transmission. METHOD: Between July 1, 2020, and September 30, 2020, all 273 patients receiving hemodialysis were subjected to fortnightly testing for SARS-Cov-2 in the unit to detect asymptomatic patients. The cost and effectiveness of universal testing in preventing transmission were analyzed using Susceptible-Infectious-Removed (SIR) modeling assuming R0 of 2.2. RESULTS: Of 273 MHD patients, 55 (20.1%) got infected with SARS-CoV-2 over three months. Six (10.9%) were symptomatic, and 49 (89.1%) asymptomatic at the time of testing. Six (10.9%) asymptomatic patients develop symptoms later;and 43 (78.2%) remained asymptomatic. A total of 7(6.1%) HCWs also tested positive for the virus. With an assumption of R0 2.2 and isolation of symptomatic patients only, all 273 patients could have been affected by September 30, 2020;with the isolation of both symptomatic patients and those testing positive after pre-dialysis screen, only 52 (19%) infections could have been prevented. However, at the end of the study period, 218 (80%) patients remained uninfected of SARS-CoV-2. Fortnightly universal testing is cost-effective, and SIR modeling proved effective in preventing person-to-person transmission. CONCLUSION: Repeated universal testing in maintenance hemodialysis patients detected 89% of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 patients over three months and appeared to be an effective strategy to prevent person-to-person transmission in the dialysis unit.
ABSTRACT
The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) has previously published transplant-specific guidelines with reference to COVID-19.([1]) The mortality is higher in dialysis patients with COVID-19 (12%-30%) than posttransplant COVID-19 patients (11.3%) and both are higher than the general population (<2%) in India.([2-5]) With the resumption of the kidney transplant program in various parts of India, new issues are expected to occur. There is uncertainty, regarding the safety of performing kidney,([ 6-8]) liver,([9-12]) and lunge([13]) transplantation in a recipient recently recovered from COVID-19. At present, we have limited evidence-based information about safety and feasibility of kidney transplantation from living donors, who have recovered from COVID-19.([4]) Recently, Indian Multi-center cohort studies have reported successful kidney transplantation in recipients from living donors with a previous diagnosis of COVID-19.([15, 16])
ABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) affected everyone on the globe, including renal transplant recipients who are at increased risk of infection. The clinical manifestations, immunosuppressive modifications, and treatment protocol are not well defined. We are reporting a case of renal transplant recipient and reviewed all case reports and series (a total of 100 patients) published to date to comprehend the clinical manifestations, immunosuppression modifications, treatment given, and outcomes of the patients. A 57-year-old male kidney transplant recipient had a fever, headache, weakness, and positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. He became asymptomatic with the treatment of hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, and oseltamivir. However, he remained persistently positive by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for SARS-CoV-2 for 4 weeks and became negative only after Ivermectin therapy, a safer medicine than antivirals/antiretrovirals used for COVID therapy in renal transplant recipients. Of the 100 patients review of case series, fever was noted in 85%, cough 71%, diarrhea 10%, and radiographic abnormalities in 75% of cases. Only in 3% of cases, steroid was stopped, and in the rest of the cases, 63% either continued in the same doses or changed to methylprednisolone in 34%. Calcineurin inhibitors were temporarily stopped in 42% of cases, reduced in 9% of cases, and continued in the same doses in 49% of cases. The anti-metabolites were discontinued in 83%, reduced in 9% of cases, and not changed in 8% of cases. SARI was observed in 18% and acute kidney injury (AKI) in 26% of cases. Of all the AKI, 11% required renal replacement therapy. Mortality was observed in 21% of cases. COVID in renal transplant recipients may show an unusually longer positivity. Ivermectin may be used in the absence of any conclusive SARS-CoV-2 antivirals. Mortality is high in renal transplant recipients.