Prevalence of Asymptomatic COVID-19 Infection in Hemodialysis Patients and the Risk of Hypercoagulability: Should we Consider Routine Screening?

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a pandemic in late 2019. Its clinical presentation varies from asymptomatic infection to severe respiratory failure. Infection control strategies to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients receiving in-center hemodialysis (HD) have been implemented. Development of humoral response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in adult patients with ESRD receiving HD has not been sufficiently reported. Methods: A total of 179 asymptomatic HD patients undergoing regular HD were screened for COVID-19 infection. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed through a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay of nasopharyngeal swab specimens. They were classified into positive and negative groups according to the results of PCR. Results: Of the 179 asymptomatic patients, we found that 23 patients (12.8%) were positive for COVID-19. Their mean age was 45.61 ± 13.38 years. There was a significant difference between both groups regarding C-reactive protein, lymphocytes, and platelet counts (P < 0.001). Also, TAT (thrombin-antithrombin complex) and D-dimer levels were significantly increased among the positive group (11.47 ± 1.51 vs. 7.53 ± 1.64 mcq/L, P < 0.001; 1171.52 ± 267.6 vs. 542.76 ± 107.06 ng/mL, P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection is detected in HD patients. They carry the risk of hypercoagulability complications. We need more strict infection control measures and proactive diagnosis to limit the spread of the infection and lethal thromboembolic complications.

Effect of taurolidine citrate and unfractionated heparin on inflammatory state and dialysis adequacy in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: HD patients using dialysis catheters have been associated with chronic inflammatory state. In Egypt 6.6% of HD patients use catheters, of which short term catheters represent 59.6% and 40.4% with long-term catheters. In this study, we aimed to assess the effect of Taurolidine citrate and unfractionated heparin combination (Taurolock-hep500™) as a lock solution compared to unfractionated heparin alone on inflammatory markers, incidence of catheter related blood stream infections (CRBSI) and dialysis adequacy in HD patients with temporary HD catheters only, for 4 weeks duration. METHODS: Sixty ESRD patients from hemodialysis units in Ain-Shams University hospitals (ASUH) at the time of catheter insertion we enrolled in our study. They were randomized into two groups: Group 1: Thirty patients received Taurolock-hep500™ as a catheter lock solution at the end of each hemodialysis session. Group 2: Thirty patients received unfractionated heparin as a catheter lock solution. hsCRP and IL-6 were measured at baseline and 1 month after using the lock solutions. Blood cultures were done in patients who developed symptoms of catheter related infections. RESULTS: At the end of the study, Inflammatory markers were significantly higher in group 2 (p-value: 0.045, 0.001, and 0.018 for WBCs, hsCRP and IL-6, respectively). Group 1 had better dialysis adequacy assessed by URR (p-value: 0.007 and 0.001, respectively). CRBSI were demonstrated in nine patients in group 2 (30%) in contrast to one patient only in group 1(3.3%) (p-value: 0.006) with pseudomonas being the most common isolated organism (27.7%). CONCLUSION: Use of (Taurolock-hep500™) for temporary hemodialysis catheters was associated with lower levels of inflammation markers and lower incidence of CRBSI and better catheter performance.

Direct-acting antiviral regimens in Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection: A real-world single-center experience.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has always been identified as a major health threat and a potential cause of liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and other associated problems. The introduction of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) has represented a paradigm shift in HCV management. In this study, we aim to observe the rate of sustained virologic response (SVR12) in a large scale of patients at a single center as well as record the post-treatment changes in the hematologic, hepatic, and renal biochemical profiles. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In total, 1933 chronic HCV genotype 4 mono-infected non-HCC patients who completed the treatment with six different DAA regimens in the Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University Research Institute (MASRI), were retrospectively enrolled in this study. The rate of sustained virologic response after 12 weeks off-therapy (SVR12) was assessed. The baseline characteristics to predict the SVR12 were then analyzed. The post-treatment changes in many profiles were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: The overall SVR12 rate was 96.2% (after excluding 84 cases who were lost to follow-up). It was achieved in 346/375 patients (92.3%), 466/477 patients (97.7%), 60/62 patients (96.8%), 11/11 patients (100%), 532/545 patients (97.6%), and 445/463 patients (96.1%) who received sofosbuvir/daclatasvir (SOF/DCV), sofosbuvir/daclatasvir/ribavirin (SOF/DCV/RBV), sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (SOF/LDV), sofosbuvir/ledipasvir/ribavirin (SOF/LDV/RBV), sofosbuvir/simeprevir (SOF/SMV), and ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir/ribavirin (OBV/PTV/r + RBV), respectively. In total, 73 patients (3.8%) failed to achieve SVR12. The baseline aspartate aminotransferase (AST), cirrhotic status, and treatment regimen were determined to have a significant impact on SVR12. In the overall treated population, the levels of serum AST, alanine aminotransferase, albumin, creatinine, bilirubin, and hemoglobin and platelet count improved significantly after treatment. Furthermore, sustained virologic response was strongly related to cirrhosis and its degree. CONCLUSION: The interferon-free DAA regimens offered high SVR12 rates in Egyptian patients with chronic HCV infection. They were associated with a significant improvement in the hematologic, hepatic, and renal biochemical profiles. The baseline AST, liver cirrhosis, and treatment regimen might have an impact on achieving SVR.

MicroRNA 499 gene expression in patients on hemodialysis with cardiovascular complications.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNA (miRNA) 499 is an evolutionarily conserved muscle-specific miRNA that is encoded by an intron of the myh7 gene and is likely to play a role in myosin gene regulation. It has been shown to be involved in inhibiting apoptosis and myocardial infarction induced by ischemia and anoxia. It is unknown whether levels of miRNAs are affected in patients undergoing hemodialysis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess circulating levels of miRNA 499 in hemodialysis patients and whether the levels are affected by dialyzer membranes (high flux vs. low flux). METHODS: The studied population consisted of 32 end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients (22 males and 10 females) with age ranged from 38% to 75% years on regular hemodialysis (4 hours, 3 times weekly) for at least 1 year duration with cardiovascular events in the last 6 months and 32 healthy controls (20 males and 12 females) with an age range from 54 to 60 years. Patients were involved into a two-stage sequential study; high-flux hemodialysis stage (stage I), then low-flux hemodialysis stage (stage II). Expressed levels of plasma miRNA 499 have been measured by Real Time-PCR. Lipid profile, serum phosphorus, serum calcium, serum creatinine, and blood urea were measured in all patients. RESULTS: In this study, 2 patients with an open-heart surgery showed highly elevation in the miRNA 499, while the other patients, showing different degrees of ischemia, had different levels of elevated miRNA 499. Statistically significant higher levels of miRNA 499 in plasma were observed in all the studied patients with cardiovascular diseases compared to the levels of miRNA 499 found in healthy controls (P < 0.0001). MicroRNA 499 was found to be a dialyzable marker. A significant decrease in plasma levels of miRNA 499 was obtained after either high-flux or low-flux dialysis compared to plasma levels of miRNA 499 found before dialysis (P < 0.0001). On comparing both types of hemodialysis membranes with respect to miRNA 499 clearance, we found that low-flux membrane showed better clearance for miRNA 499 than high-flux membrane with a statistically significant difference between them (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, miRNA 499 levels are elevated in patients with ESRD with cardiovascular complications. High-flux membrane seems to be less efficient in miRNA 499 clearance in cardiac patients on hemodialysis.

Comparing Dialysis Modality and Cardiovascular Mortality in Patients on Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis.

Patients undergoing dialysis are at high risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Mortality differences between peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) are widely debated. The question of whether dialysis modality affects the risk for CVD remains to be addressed.In the present study, we evaluated the influence of hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) on survival and the risk of developing de novo CVD. Our observational prospective study enrolled 157 end-stage renal disease patients on HD or PD for 12 months. Patients with a history of malignancy, chronic rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, previous cardiac surgery, or previous transplantation, and patients started on dialysis less than 3 months earlier were excluded from the study. Detailed medical history, demographic data, and routine laboratory investigations were obtained, and patients were follow every 3 months for 12 months. Cardiac echography was performed at baseline and at 6 months. Nutrition status was scored using the standardized 7-point subjective global assessment (SGA). Baseline comorbidities included the presence or absence of coronary artery disease (angina, myocardial infarction, and coronary artery bypass surgery), peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cerebrovascular disease.Of the 157 patients, 121 were on HD (60 men, 61 women; mean age: 59.3 years), and 36 were on PD (14 men, 22 women; mean age: 50.8 years, p = 0.13). The dialysis duration was significantly different in the two groups (HD: 52.96 ± 38.3; PD: 30.89 ± 26.3; p = 0.02). Of the HD patients, 95.04% were hypertensive, and 61.98% were diabetic; of the PD patients, 91.66% were hypertensive, and 50% were diabetic. Body mass index and SGA score were not significantly different between the two groups. Patients on PD had a higher residual urine volume (383.66 ± 548.393 mL vs. 12.40 ± 96.238 mL in the HD patients, p < 0.001).In comparing traditional cardiovascular risk factors at the start of the study, PD patients had higher levels of total cholesterol (4.5 ± 1.33 mmol/L vs. 3.85 ± 1.34 mmol/L in HD patients, p < 0.05), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (2.84 ± 1.31 mmol/L vs. 2.06 ± 0.89 mmol/L, p < 0.001), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (1.10 ± 0.26 mmol/L vs. 0.91 ± 0.32 mmol/L, p < 0.005). Cardiovascular morbidity affected 17 HD patients and 2 PD patients. A Cox proportional hazards model for cardiovascular events showed a trend suggesting that PD was safer, but the data did not reach statistical significance. Kaplan-Meir survival analysis revealed 12 death events in HD patients compared with 4 events in PD patients-a difference that was not statistically significant.Cardiovascular morbidity during chronic dialysis was prevalent among the older patients (>57 years) and those who used more than 1 antihypertensive medication; an ejection fraction exceeding 53% was found to be cardioprotective. For all-cause mortality, dialysis modality was a nonsignificant risk factor; age and Kt/V were significant.

Comparative study of impact of hemodialysis and renal transplantation on cognitive functions in ESRD patients / Estudio comparativo de la influencia de la hemodiálisis y el trasplante renal en la función cognitiva de los pacientes con enfermedad renal terminal

Cognitive impairment is defined as a newly appeared deficit in at least two areas of cognitive functions, including disturbances in memory, executive functioning, attention or speed of information processing, perceptual motor abilities, or language. Cognitive impairment is highly prevalent in ESRD patients when compared with the general population. It has also been associated with a decreased quality of life. Cognitive functions in patients with ESRD showed improvement with dialysis and renal transplantation. These findings illustrate the potential importance of evaluating and comparing the effects of hemodialysis and transplantation regarding cognitive performance and thus quality of life in ESRD patients and normal subjects. This study was carried out in 100 patients (50 ESRD patients on regular hemodialysis for at least 6 months and 50 post-transplant patients who had maintained successful kidney graft for at least 3 months). All patients underwent laboratory and psychometric scoring tests, including trail making test part A, trail making test part B, digit span, and mini-mental state examination. Thirty healthy adults matched by age and sex served as a control group. The results showed significant differences in cognitive function tests results between transplant and hemodialysis patients (P<0.01), suggesting that transplant patients were superior in their cognitive performance, with the correction of anemia being the most important factor for improving cognitive performance in both groups. There were no significant differences between transplant patients and control subjects in psychometric measures (P>0.05) (AU)

El deterioro cognitivo se define como un déficit de nueva aparición en al menos dos áreas de las funciones cognitivas, incluidas las alteraciones de la memoria, la función ejecutiva, la atención o la rapidez de procesamiento de la información, las capacidades motoras perceptivas o el lenguaje. El deterioro cognitivo tiene una prevalencia elevada en los pacientes con ERT en comparación con la población general. También se ha asociado a una reducción de la calidad de vida. Las funciones cognitivas de los pacientes con ERT mostraron una mejoría con la diálisis y con el trasplante renal. Estas observaciones ilustran la posible importancia de la evaluación y comparación de los efectos de la hemodiálisis y el trasplante sobre la función cognitiva y, por tanto, sobre la calidad de vida, en relación con los pacientes con ERT y los individuos normales. El estudio se llevó a cabo en un total de 100 pacientes (50 pacientes con ERT en hemodiálisis regular durante un mínimo de 6 meses y 50 pacientes trasplantados que habían mantenido un buen funcionamiento del injerto renal durante un mínimo de 3 meses). En todos los casos se realizaron análisis de laboratorio y tests psicométricos como el test del trazo (trail making test) parte A, el test del trazo parte B, el test de memoria inmediata de números (digit span) y la mini mental state examination, y se compararon con los de 30 adultos sanos igualados en cuanto a edad y sexo, que se utilizaron como grupo de control. Los resultados pusieron de manifiesto diferencias significativas en los tests de función cognitiva entre los pacientes trasplantados y los hemodializados (p<0,01), y sugirieron que los pacientes trasplantados obtenían mejores resultados de función cognitiva y que la corrección de la anemia era el factor más importante en esa mejora en ambos grupos. No hubo diferencias significativas entre los pacientes trasplantados y los individuos de control por lo que respecta a los parámetros psicométricos (p>0,05) (AU)

Comparative study of impact of hemodialysis and renal transplantation on cognitive functions in ESRD patients.

UNLABELLED: Cognitive impairment is defined as a newly appeared deficit in at least two areas of cognitive functions, including disturbances in memory, executive functioning, attention or speed of information processing, perceptual motor abilities, or language. Cognitive impairment is highly prevalent in ESRD patients when compared with the general population. It has also been associated with a decreased quality of life. Cognitive functions in patients with ESRD showed improvement with dialysis and renal transplantation. These findings illustrate the potential importance of evaluating and comparing the effects of hemodialysis and transplantation regarding cognitive performance and thus quality of life in ESRD patients and normal subjects. This study was carried out in 100 patients (50 ESRD patients on regular hemodialysis for at least 6 months and 50 post-transplant patients who had maintained successful kidney graft for at least 3 months). All patients underwent laboratory and psychometric scoring tests, including trail making test part A, trail making test part B, digit span, and mini-mental state examination. Thirty healthy adults matched by age and sex served as a control group. The results showed significant differences in cognitive function tests results between transplant and hemodialysis patients (P<0.01), suggesting that transplant patients were superior in their cognitive performance, with the correction of anemia being the most important factor for improving cognitive performance in both groups. There were no significant differences between transplant patients and control subjects in psychometric measures (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Renal transplantation as a modality of treatment, in ESRD patients, is superior to hemodialysis in terms of cognitive performance improvement.

Prevalence of sleep disorders among ESRD patients.

Sleep disorders are common among the patients undergoing dialysis in end stage renal disease (ESRD). Although variable, their prevalence has been reported to be higher when compared to the general population. The most frequently reported complaints are insomnia, restless leg syndrome (RLS), sleep-disordered breathing and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of sleep disorders in end stage renal disease patients on regular hemodialysis (group I with 30 patients) and CKD patients (group II with 30 patients) in comparison to 30 normal population (control group). In addition to laboratory investigations which included creatinine clearance using Cockroft and Gault formula, hemoglobin level (Hb), blood urea, serum creatinine, serum albumin, serum calcium and phosphorus and lipid profile, all subjects underwent one night of laboratory-based polysomnography (PSG) consisting of a standard montage of electroencephalography (EEG) (C3/A1 and O2/C3 or O1/C4), monopolar left and right electrooculography (EOG) referenced to the opposite mastoid, surface mentalis electromyography (EMG), respiratory airflow (measured by thermistor) and effort (piezoelectric sensors), electrocardiography (ECG), anterior tibialis EMG and pulse oximetry. For hemodialysis subjects, this study was performed on a night immediately following hemodialysis treatment. The results showed that patients on hemodialysis have sleep disorders, and that sleep disorders are common in group I and II than control group. The percentage of sleep disorders in hemodialysis patients were as follows: insomnia (69%), followed by obstructive sleep apnea syndrome OSAS (24%), RLS and periodic limb movement PLM (18%), nightmares (13%), EDS (12%), sleepwalking (2%), possible rapid eye movement behavior disorders RED (2%), possible narcolepsy (1.4%). While the percentage of sleep disorders in CKD patients were as follows: insomnia (54%), followed by RLS (19%), PLM (12%), OSAS (16%), nightmares (15%), EDS (15%), sleepwalking (4%), possible RBD (3%), possible narcolepsy (1%). There was inverse correlation between sleep disorders and Hb, albumin and creatinine clearance; also there was positive correlation between sleep disorder and phosphorus. We concluded that the sleep disorders are common in CKD patients either on conservative management or on regular hemodialysis. Treatment of anemia, hyperphosphatemia and hypoalbuminemia may improve sleep disorders among those patients.

Frequency and risk factors of contrast-induced nephropathy after cardiac catheterization in type II diabetic patients: a study among Egyptian patients.

UNLABELLED: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is the third leading cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) in hospitalized patients. Diabetes mellitus remains a consistent independent predictor of contrast nephropathy. AIM: To determine frequency and predictors of contrast-induced nephropathy after cardiac catheterization in type II diabetic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 200 type II diabetic patients who underwent cardiac catheterization; serial measurement of serum creatinine and creatinine clearance (Before contrast exposure and 48 h), creatinine clearance was calculated using Cockcroft-Gault formula. Contrast-induced nephropathy was defined as rise in serum creatinine 48 h after contrast exposure of ≥0.5 mg/dL or increased >25% compared to base line creatinine. RESULTS: incidence of CIN in type II diabetic patients was 21.5%; incidence of CIN in diabetic patients with microalbuminuria was 17%, while incidence of CIN in patients with macroalbuminuria levels was 26%. There was a statistically significant difference between the patients who suffered from CIN post-procedure and patients who did not suffer from CIN regarding the ejection fraction and age with low ejection fraction and older patients in CIN group. Multiple logistic regression analysis for CIN predictors showed that pre-contrast serum creatinine to be the strongest predictor for being at risk of contrast-related, followed by age, and lastly albumin/creatinine ratio. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that diabetic patients, despite having a normal baseline creatinine are at an increased risk of developing CIN post-coronary angiography, patients at risk of CIN are older patients with high pre-contrast serum creatinine and high urine albumin/creatinine ratio.