ABSTRACT
Nephrotic range proteinuria has been reported during the course of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, the pathological mechanisms underlying this manifestation are unknown. In this article, we present two cases of collapsing glomerulopathy (CG) associated with acute tubular necrosis during the course of COVID-19, and review the literature for similar reports. In our two cases, as in the 14 cases reported so far, the patients were of African ancestry. The 14 patients assessed had an APOL1 high-risk genotype. At the end of the reported period, two patients had died and five patients were still requiring dialysis. The 16 cases detailed in the present report strongly argue in favour of a causal link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the occurrence of CG in patients homozygous for APOL1 high-risk genotype for which the term COVID-associated nephropathy (COVIDAN) can be put forward.
Subject(s)
Acute Kidney Injury/diagnosis , Acute Kidney Injury/etiology , COVID-19/complications , COVID-19/diagnosis , Kidney Cortex Necrosis/diagnosis , Kidney Cortex Necrosis/etiology , Adult , Female , Humans , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a rapidly spreading pandemic. Owing to changes in the immune system and respiratory physiology, pregnant women are vulnerable to severe viral pneumonia. We review the clinical course, pregnancy outcomes, and management of women with COVID-19 in pregnancy with a focus on those with kidney involvement. Current evidence does not show an increased risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy and the maternal course appears to be similar to nonpregnant patients. However, severe maternal disease can lead to complex management challenges and has shown to be associated with higher incidence of preterm and caesarean births. The risk of congenital infection with SARS-CoV-2 is not known. All neonates must be considered as high-risk contacts and should be screened at birth and isolated. Pregnant women should follow all measures to prevent SARS-CoV-2 exposure and this fear should not compromise antenatal care. Use of telemedicine, videoconferencing, and noninvasive fetal and maternal home monitoring devices should be encouraged. High-risk pregnant patients with comorbidities and COVID-19 require hospitalization and close monitoring. Pregnant women with COVID-19 and kidney disease are a high-risk group and should be managed by a multidisciplinary team approach including a nephrologist and neonatologist.