Fatal Mucormycosis Infection with Coronavirus Disease 2019 in a Kidney Transplant Patient

Mucormycosis is a life-threatening infection, especially seen in individuals with diabetes mellitus and immunosuppression, in which the vast majority of cases result in death. Early diagnosis is vital for treatment. Coronavirus disease 2019 infection can also lead to the development of mucormycosis infection. Only few cases have been reported in the literature. A 35-year-old kidney transplant patient was hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 infection with lung involvement and was further examined upon complaint of headache and visual impairment during follow-up, which was later diagnosed as mucormycosis infection. The patient died despite the initiation of emergent surgical debridement and amphotericin B therapy. © 2023 Turkish Society of Nephrology. All rights reserved.

Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio and serum albumin are predictors of acute kidney injury in non-ventilated COVID-19 patients: a single-center prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication among COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit, but it is less frequently investigated in general internal medicine wards. We aimed to examine the incidence, the predictors of AKI, and AKI-associated mortality in a prospective cohort of non-ventilated COVID-19 patients. We aimed to describe the natural history of AKI by describing trajectories of urinary markers of hemodynamic, glomerular, and tubular injury. METHODS: 141 COVID-19 patients were enrolled to the study. AKI was defined according to KDIGO guidelines. Urine and renal function parameters were followed twice a week. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of AKI and mortality. Trajectories of urinary markers were described by unadjusted linear mixed models. RESULTS: 19.7% patients developed AKI. According to multiple logistic regression, higher urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.04-2.12/1 mg/mmol) and lower serum albumin (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.77-0.94/1 g/L) were independent predictors of AKI. Mortality was 42.8% in the AKI and 8.8% in the group free from AKI (p < 0.0001). According to multiple logistic regression, older age, lower albumin, and AKI (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.24-12.21) remained independent predictors of mortality. Urinary protein-to-creatinine trajectories were diverging with decreasing values in those without incident AKI. CONCLUSION: We found high incidence of AKI and mortality among moderately severe, non-ventilated COVID-19 patients. Its development is predicted by higher albuminuria suggesting that the originally damaged renal structure may be more susceptible for virus-associated effects. No clear relationship was found with a prerenal mechanism, and the higher proteinuria during follow-up may point toward tubular damage.

Refractoriness of Hyperkalemia and Hyperphosphatemia in Dialysis-Dependent AKI Associated with COVID-19.

Background: Persistent hyperkalemia (hyperK) and hyperphosphatemia (hyperP) despite renal replacement therapy (RRT) was anecdotally reported in COVID-19 and acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring RRT (CoV-AKI-RRT). However, observation bias could have accounted for the reports. Thus, we systematically examined the rate and severity of hyperK and hyperP in patients with CoV-AKI-RRT in comparison with the pre-COVID-19 era. Methods: We identified patients with CoV-AKI-RRT treated with sustained low-efficiency dialysis (SLED) for ≥2 days in March-April 2020. As pre-COVID-19 control, we included patients with AKI treated with SLED in December 2019. We examined the rates of hyperK (serum potassium [sK] ≥5.5 mEq/L), severe hyperK (sK ≥6.5 mEq/L), hyperP (serum phosphate [sP] ≥4.5 mg/dl), and moderate or severe hyperP (sP ≥7-10 and >10 mg/dl, respectively) as %SLED-days with an event. Results: Along the duration of SLED, the incidence of hyperK was greater in CoV-AKI-RRT (n=64; mean 19%±2% versus 14%±3% SLED-days, P=0.002) compared with control (n=60). The proportion of patients with one or more event of severe hyperK was greater in CoV-AKI (33% versus 7%, P<0.001). The incidence of hyperP was similar between groups (mean 56%±4% versus 53%±5% SLED-days, P=0.49). However, the proportion of patients with one or more event of moderate and severe hyperP was greater in CoV-AKI-RRT (86% versus 60%, P=0.001, and 50% versus 18%, P<0.001, respectively). Among those with CoV-AKI-RRT, sK and sP correlated with lactate dehydrogenase (LDH; r=0.31, P=0.04, and r=0.31, P=0.04, respectively), whereas hyperP also correlated with shorter SLED runs (hours/run; r=-0.27, P=0.05). Conclusions: Refractory hyperK and hyperP were more frequent in CoV-AKI-RRT compared with the pre-COVID-19 era. Because of the correlation of sK and sP with higher LDH and sP with shorter SLED runs, intracellular ion release from cell injury due to cytokine storm and RRT interruptions may account for the findings.

COVID-19-associated Nephropathy Includes Tubular Necrosis and Capillary Congestion, with Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 in the Nephron.

Background: Kidney damage has been reported in patients with COVID-19. Despite numerous reports about COVID-19-associated nephropathy, the factual presence of the SARS-CoV-2 in the renal parenchyma remains controversial. Methods: We consecutively performed 16 immediate (≤3 hours) postmortem renal biopsies in patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Kidney samples from five patients who died from sepsis not related to COVID-19 were used as controls. Samples were methodically evaluated by three pathologists. Virus detection in the renal parenchyma was performed in all samples by bulk RNA RT-PCR (E and N1/N2 genes), immunostaining (2019-nCOV N-Protein), fluorescence in situ hybridization (nCoV2019-S), and electron microscopy. Results: The mean age of our COVID-19 cohort was 68.2±12.8 years, most of whom were male (69%). Proteinuria was observed in 53% of patients, whereas AKI occurred in 60% of patients. Acute tubular necrosis of variable severity was found in all patients, with no tubular or interstitial inflammation. There was no difference in acute tubular necrosis severity between the patients with COVID-19 versus controls. Congestion in glomerular and peritubular capillaries was respectively observed in 56% and 88% of patients with COVID-19, compared with 20% of controls, with no evidence of thrombi. The 2019-nCOV N-Protein was detected in proximal tubules and at the basolateral pole of scattered cells of the distal tubules in nine out of 16 patients. In situ hybridization confirmed these findings in six out of 16 patients. RT-PCR of kidney total RNA detected SARS-CoV-2 E and N1/N2 genes in one patient. Electron microscopy did not show typical viral inclusions. Conclusions: Our immediate postmortem kidney samples from patients with COVID-19 highlight a congestive pattern of AKI, with no significant glomerular or interstitial inflammation. Immunostaining and in situ hybridization suggest SARS-CoV-2 is present in various segments of the nephron.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection Risk Factors among Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients and Health Care Personnel In Outpatient Hemodialysis Centers.

Increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with community prevalence.Increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with exposure to infected family members and personal infection prevention measures.

The Characteristics, Dynamics, and the Risk of Death in COVID-19 Positive Dialysis Patients in London, UK.

Background: Patients on dialysis with frequent comorbidities, advanced age, and frailty, who visit treatment facilities frequently, are perhaps more prone to SARS-CoV-2 infection and related death-the risk factors and dynamics of which are unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the hospital outcomes in patients on dialysis infected with SARS-CoV-2. Methods: Data on 224 patients on hemodialysis between February 29, 2020 and May 15, 2020 with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 were analyzed for outcomes and potential risk factors for death, using a competing risk-regression model assessed by subdistribution hazards ratio (SHR). Results: Crude data analyses suggest an overall case-fatality ratio of 23% (95% CI, 17% to 28%) overall, but that varies across age groups from 11% (95% CI, 0.9% to 9.2%) in patients ≤50 years old and 32% (95% CI, 17% to 48%) in patients >80 years; with 60% of deaths occurring in the first 15 days and 80% within 21 days, indicating a rapid deterioration toward death after admission. Almost 90% of surviving patients were discharged within 28 days. Death was more likely than hospital discharge in patients who were more frail (WHO performance status, 3-4; SHR, 2.16 [95% CI, 1.25 to 3.74]; P=0.006), had ischemic heart disease (SHR, 2.28 [95% CI, 1.32 to 3.94]; P=0.003), cerebrovascular disease (SHR, 2.11 [95% CI, 1.20 to 3.72]; P=0.01), smoking history (SHR, 2.69 [95% CI, 1.33 to 5.45]; P=0.006), patients who were hospitalized (SHR, 10.26 [95% CI, 3.10 to 33.94]; P<0.001), and patients with high CRP (SHR, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.10 to 1.67]) and a high neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (SHR, 1.03 [95% CI, 1.01 to 1.04], P<0.001). Our data did not support differences in the risk of death associated with sex, ethnicity, dialysis vintage, or other comorbidities. However, comparison with the entire dialysis population attending these hospitals, in which 13% were affected, revealed that patients who were non-White (62% versus 52% in all patients, P=0.001) and those with diabetes (54% versus 22%, P<0.001) were disproportionately affected. Conclusions: This report discusses the outcomes of a large cohort of patients on dialysis. We found SARS-CoV-2 infection affected more patients with diabetes and those who were non-White, with a high case-fatality ratio, which increased significantly with age, frailty, smoking, increasing CRP, and neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio at presentation.

Recommendations for Kidney Patients in COVID-19 Era Based on Current Evidence

Patients with chronic kidney disease, patients on dialysis, and kidney transplant recipients are at high risk of mortality and morbidity due to coronavirus disease-19. Most patients with chronic kidney disease are elderly and have other comorbidities. In addition, some of these patients have been exposed to immunosuppressive drugs to treat their underlying primary disease or to prevent allograft rejection. This general profile of chronic kidney disease patients renders them susceptible to a more severe course of coronavirus disease-19 once they are infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Many studies showed that impaired kidney function on admission is an independent risk factor for a more severe course of coronavirus disease-19 with significantly increased risk for hospital and intensive care unit admission, intubation, mechanical ventilation, and death. Coronavirus disease-19 vaccination is crucial to create immunity in the general community, but the evidence addressing this specific population is scarce. However, based on the current evidence, all patients with chronic kidney disease are strongly recommended to receive the available vaccine in their country against coronavirus disease-19, and booster doses will presumably prove necessary for this group of patients. Furthermore, vigilant use of protective measures is strongly recommended for this patient population. Current studies and recommendations from health authorities should be followed closely.

AKI in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Early reports indicate that AKI is common among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and associated with worse outcomes. However, AKI among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in the United States is not well described. METHODS: This retrospective, observational study involved a review of data from electronic health records of patients aged ≥18 years with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 admitted to the Mount Sinai Health System from February 27 to May 30, 2020. We describe the frequency of AKI and dialysis requirement, AKI recovery, and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with mortality. RESULTS: Of 3993 hospitalized patients with COVID-19, AKI occurred in 1835 (46%) patients; 347 (19%) of the patients with AKI required dialysis. The proportions with stages 1, 2, or 3 AKI were 39%, 19%, and 42%, respectively. A total of 976 (24%) patients were admitted to intensive care, and 745 (76%) experienced AKI. Of the 435 patients with AKI and urine studies, 84% had proteinuria, 81% had hematuria, and 60% had leukocyturia. Independent predictors of severe AKI were CKD, men, and higher serum potassium at admission. In-hospital mortality was 50% among patients with AKI versus 8% among those without AKI (aOR, 9.2; 95% confidence interval, 7.5 to 11.3). Of survivors with AKI who were discharged, 35% had not recovered to baseline kidney function by the time of discharge. An additional 28 of 77 (36%) patients who had not recovered kidney function at discharge did so on posthospital follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: AKI is common among patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and is associated with high mortality. Of all patients with AKI, only 30% survived with recovery of kidney function by the time of discharge.

[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Spanish Nephrology Services]. / Impacto de la pandemia COVID-19 en los servicios de Nefrología españoles.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, has required a rapid and drastic transformation of hospitals, and consequently also of Spanish Nephrology Units, to respond to the critical situation. The Spanish Society of Nephrology conducted a survey directed to the Heads of Nephrology Departments in Spain that addressed the reorganisation of Nephrology departments and activity during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic. The survey has been focused on the integration of nephrologists in COVID-19 teams, nephrology inpatient care activities (elective admissions, kidney biopsies), the performance of elective surgeries such as vascular accesses or implantation of peritoneal catheters, the suspension of kidney transplantation programmes and the transformation of nephrology outpatient clinics. This work details the adaptation and transformation of nephrology services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. During this period, elective admissions to Nephrology Services, elective surgeries and biopsies were suspended, and the kidney transplant programme was scaled back by more than 75%. It is worth noting that outpatient nephrology consultations were carried out largely by telephone. In conclusion, the pandemic has clearly impacted clinical activity in Spanish Nephrology departments, reducing elective activity and kidney transplants, and modifying activity in outpatient clinics. A restructuring and implementation plan in Nephrology focused on telemedicine and/or virtual medicine would seem to be both necessary and very useful in the near future.