The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on HIV care continuum in Jiangsu, China.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic seriously threatens general public health services globally. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the HIV care continuum in Jiangsu province, China. METHODS: Data on newly diagnosed HIV persons for analysis were retrieved from Chinas' web-based Comprehensive Response Information Management System (CRIMS) for HIV/AIDS from 2016 to 2020. We recorded data for the first 3 months (January to March, 2020) of strictly implementing COVID-19 measures from publicly available disease databases of the Jiangsu provincial Health Committee. We used seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) and exponential smoothing in forecasting the parameters. Subgroup differences were accessed using Chi-square tests. RESULTS: Compared to the estimated proportions, the HIV testing rates decreased by 49.0% (919,938) in the first three months of implementing COVID-19 measures. Of an estimated 1555 new HIV diagnosis expected in the same period, only 63.0% (980) new diagnoses were recorded. According to actual data recorded during the said period, 980 positively tested persons received confirmatory tests, of which 71.4% (700) were reportedly linked to care. And only 49.5% (235) out of the expected 475 newly diagnosed HIV persons received CD4 cell count testing. Meanwhile 91.6% (208) of newly diagnosed HIV persons who received CD4 count tests reportedly initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) compared to the 227 expected. Compared to the same period from 2016 to 2019, PLWH less than 30 years old and migrants were more likely to be affected by the COVID-19 policies. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted HIV healthcare systems in Jiangsu, China. Further measures that can counter the impact of the pandemic are needed to maintain the HIV care continuum.

Summary report of seven cases of COVID-19 infection in renal transplant recipients.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has swept the world, posing a serious threat to people's lives and health. Several cases of COVID-19 infection in renal transplant recipients (RTRs) have been reported, but the treatment and prognosis have not been fully elucidated. We followed-up with RTRs infected with SARS-CoV2 in our center and classified them as five clinical types-asymptomatic, mild, moderate, severe, and critical. The immunosuppressive agents were not adjusted in asymptomatic carriers and mild patients, the former was mainly treated by isolation, and the latter was treated by low-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) to enhance immunity. For moderate or severe patients, the immunosuppressive agents were largely reduced or even interrupted, low-dose IVIG was adopted, and low-dose methylprednisolone (MP) was used to inhibit inflammation and rejection. Immunosuppressants were discontinued early in critical patients; IVIG, high-dose MP, and antibiotics were used. Meanwhile, all patients received at least one antiviral drugs. After aggressive treatment, three patients developed acute kidney injury, and two showed reversal, while the remaining one lost the allograft kidney; one patient died, while other patients were discharged. For different clinical types of RTRs infected with COVID-19, personalized therapies were essential, Meanwhile, patients with COVID-19 infection may have different outcomes due to their different clinical manifestations.

A patient with end-stage renal disease who recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 then received a kidney transplant.

Since its emergence in December 2019 many end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients have been infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Herein, we describe the case of an ESRD patient who received a kidney transplant after recovering from COVID-19. We described the clinical course of COVID-19 and kidney transplant management, including the patient's symptoms, laboratory results, computed tomography, and antibody profiles. He recovered well, without complications. Chest computed tomography, PCR, and IgG results indicated no recurrence of COVID-19 during the subsequent two weeks. Therefore, kidney transplantation is feasible in an ESRD patient who has recovered from COVID-19, under a normal immunosuppressive regimen.

Slow Recovery from Critical Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pneumonia in an Immunosuppressed Renal Transplant Recipient with Early Acute Cardiorenal Syndrome.

With the global spread of SARS-Cov-2 infections, increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases have been reported in transplant recipients. However, reports are lacking concerning the treatment and prognosis of COVID-19 pneumonia in renal transplant recipients with acute cardiorenal syndrome. We report here the complete clinical course of a renal transplant recipient with critical COVID-19 pneumonia. In the early phase of SARS-Cov-2 infection, the patient exhibited extensive lung lesions and significant acute kidney and heart injuries, which required treatment in the ICU. After correcting the arrhythmia and heart failure, the patient recovered quickly from the acute kidney injury with a treatment of intensive diuresis and strict control of fluid intake. Without cessation of oral immunosuppressive agents, the patient presented a delayed and low antibody response against SARS-Cov-2 and reappeared positive for the virus twice after being discharged. Nevertheless, the patient's pneumonia continued to improve and he fully recovered in 69 days. This effectively treated case may be meaningful and referable for the treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia in other transplant recipients with acute cardiorenal syndrome.

The application of Temporary Ark Hospitals in controlling COVID-19 spread: The experiences of one Temporary Ark Hospital, Wuhan, China.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had its evolution in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, and now it has spread around the world, resulting in a large number of deaths. Temporary Ark hospitals (TAHs) have played an important role in controlling the spread of the epidemic in the city of Wuhan. Taking one TAH with 800 beds as an example, we summarized details of the layout, setting, working mode of medical staff, patient management, admission standards, discharge standards, and standards for transferring to another hospital, hospital operation, and so on. Over the period of operation, a total of 1124 patients were admitted for treatment. Of these, 833 patients were cured and discharged from the hospital and 291 patients were transferred to other designated hospitals, owing to aggravation of their condition. The achievement was to have zero infection for medical staff, zero in-hospital deaths among admitted patients, and zero readmission for discharged patients. The rapid deployment of TAH provided a suitable place for treating mild/moderate or no asymptomatic COVID-19 patients, which successfully helped to control the infection in Wuhan. The successful model of TAH would rapidly and effectively control the spread of COVID-19 in other cities.

Recommended prophylactic and management strategies for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in transplant recipients.

Since December 2019, increasing attention has been paid to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic in Wuhan, China. SARS-CoV-2 primarily invades the respiratory tract and lungs, leading to pneumonia and other systemic disorders. The effect of SARS-CoV-2 in transplant recipients has raised significant concerns, especially because there is a large population of transplant recipients in China. Based on the current epidemic situation, this study reviewed publications on this virus and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), analyzed common features of respiratory viral pneumonias, and presented the currently reported clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in transplant recipients to improve strategies regarding the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 in this special population.