COVID-19 and kidney transplantation: how to face the disaster?

Abstract

There is no doubt that pandemic of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus is a real disaster, which has affected all aspects of medical field. Kidney transplantation program has faced many problems during COVID-19 pandemic. The program has been cut down in many centers all over the world. Shortage of medical facilities, which have been directed to COVID-19 care, unavailability of ICU beds, and redirection of medical personnel to combat against COVID-19 are restrictions against continuity of the transplantation program. Transplantation is surrounded by many safety issues, as donor–recipient COVID-19 transmission is not well defined till now. Being immunocomprised, kidney transplant recipients are at high risk for infection. The immune state may alter the presentation and prognosis of disease in that particular population. The challenge is to keep the graft well functioning while the patient recovers rapidly from infection which requires meticulous manipulation of immunosuppressive medications. Herein, we discuss the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on kidney transplantation and the available treatment plans for infected kidney transplant recipients.