Outcomes of hospitalized renal allograft transplant recipients with coronavirus disease 2019: an Egyptian single-center retrospective study

Abstract

Background The outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 in renal-transplant recipients may differ from the general population because of chronic immunosuppression and comorbidities. The aim of this study is to provide information on the clinical characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized renal allograft transplant recipients with coronavirus disease 2019 is restricted in the Arab region. This study aims to narrow this gap. Patients and methods The study was done on 21 renal allograft transplant recipients admitted in the isolation ward of a single Egyptian center for kidney diseases and transplantation during the period from July 2020 to July 2021, all cases were analyzed regarding their clinical presentation, follow-up, workup done, management, and outcomes. Results The main clinical presentations were fever 90.5% and respiratory symptoms 66.7%, not different from the general population. Their clinical course showed remarkable incidence of acute kidney injury (57.1%) than the general population, but mortality was not (14.3%). Remdesivir was tolerable, no noticeable side effects, and did not affect graft function. Conclusion This category of patients need special care, lowering of immunosuppresion during infection, close monitoring of kidney function, and respiratory status. They can receive ventilator support and same treatment as general population, including Remdesivir and Tocilizumab. Both patient and graft survival can be achieved.