scholarly journals Preventing Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Kidney Transplant Recipients: Where Should We Begin?

Nephron ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Leonardo V. Riella ◽  
Jamil R. Azzi ◽  
Paolo Cravedi

<b><i>Context:</i></b> Chronic immunosuppression is associated with an increased risk of opportunistic infections. Although kidney transplant recipients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have higher mortality than the general population, data on their risk of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are unknown. <b><i>Subject of Review:</i></b> A recent single-center screening study from the UK (<i>Transplantation</i>. 2021 Jan 1;105(1):151–7) showed that 89 (10.4%) of 855 consecutive kidney transplant recipients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Risk factors for infection included a nonwhite background, diabetes, and a history of allograft rejection. Risk factors for mortality in individuals who developed COVID-19 were older age and receiving steroids. <b><i>Second Opinion:</i></b> This study shows that the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection in kidney transplant recipients is similar to the one observed in the general population in the same area (13%), indicating that transplant recipients are not at increased risk of COVID-19. However, the investigators raise the interesting point that since transplant individuals were advised to shelter earlier than the general population, they may be in fact more susceptible. This statement is hard to substantiate, but the identification of specific risk factors for infection and poor outcomes is crucial to tailor strategies to prevent spread of the infection. This is particularly important, considering that kidney transplant recipients may be at increased risk of prolonged viral spread and in-host viral mutations, making them not just a particularly fragile population for COVID-19 but also a potentially major source of further contagions.

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 343-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ngan N. Lam ◽  
Amit X. Garg ◽  
Greg A. Knoll ◽  
S. Joseph Kim ◽  
Krista L. Lentine ◽  
...  

Background: The implications of venous thromboembolism (VTE) for morbidity and mortality in kidney transplant recipients are not well described. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study using linked healthcare databases in Ontario, Canada to determine the risk and complications of VTE in kidney transplant recipients from 2003 to 2013. We compared the incidence rate of VTE in recipients (n = 4,343) and a matched (1:4) sample of the general population (n = 17,372). For recipients with evidence of a VTE posttransplant, we compared adverse clinical outcomes (death, graft loss) to matched (1:2) recipients without evidence of a VTE posttransplant. Results: During a median follow-up of 5.2 years, 388 (8.9%) recipients developed a VTE compared to 254 (1.5%) in the matched general population (16.3 vs. 2.4 events per 1,000 person-years; hazard ratio [HR] 7.1, 95% CI 6.0-8.4; p < 0.0001). Recipients who experienced a posttransplant VTE had a higher risk of death (28.5 vs. 11.2%; HR 4.1, 95% CI 2.9-5.8; p < 0.0001) and death-censored graft loss (13.1 vs. 7.5%; HR 2.3, 95% CI 1.4-3.6; p = 0.0006) compared to matched recipients who did not experience a posttransplant VTE. Conclusions: Kidney transplant recipients have a sevenfold higher risk of VTE compared to the general population with VTE conferring an increased risk of death and graft loss.


Author(s):  
Shih-Ting Huang ◽  
Tung-Min Yu ◽  
Ya-Wen Chuang ◽  
Mu-Chi Chung ◽  
Chen-Yu Wang ◽  
...  

Background: The incidence of stroke after kidney transplantation is poorly understood. Our study aimed to determine the incidence and predictors of stroke as well as mortality from stroke in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Methods: This retrospective cohort study used the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan to study KTRs (N = 4635), patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD; N = 69,297), and patients from the general population who were chronic kidney disease (CKD)-free and matched by comorbidities (N = 69,297) for the years 2000 through 2010. The risk of stroke was analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression models and compared between study cohorts. Findings: Compared with the ESRD subgroup, KTRs had a significantly lower risk of overall stroke (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.31–0.44), ischemic stroke (aHR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.37–0.55), and hemorrhagic stroke (aHR = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.14–0.29). The risk patterns for each type of stroke in the KTR group were not significantly different than those of the CKD-free control subgroup. The predictors of stroke were age and diabetes in KTRs. All forms of stroke after transplantation independently predicted an increased risk of subsequent mortality, and the strongest risk was related to hemorrhagic events. Interpretation: KTRs had a lower risk of stroke than ESRD patients, but this risk was not significantly different from that of the CKD-free comorbidities-matched general population group. Although stroke was relatively uncommon among cardiovascular events, it predicted unfavorable outcome in KTRs.


Medicina ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa Zavattaro ◽  
Paolo Fava ◽  
Federica Veronese ◽  
Giovanni Cavaliere ◽  
Daniela Ferrante ◽  
...  

Background and objectives: Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) represent the most frequently encountered malignancy in organ transplant recipients and their incidence increases proportionally to the duration of immunosuppression. Furthermore, patients of this group often develop multiple and more aggressive cancers and, to date, risk factors for the development of multiple NMSCs have not been yet established. The present study aimed to identify risk factors for multiple NMSCs in a cohort of Italian kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Materials and Methods: We consecutively included all KTRs referring to two post-transplant outpatient clinics of North-Western Italy between 2001 and 2017. In this cohort, we evaluated different clinical (endogenous and exogenous) risk factors in order to establish their correlation with NMSCs. Results: 518 KTRs were included, of which 148 (28.6%) developed keratinocyte cancers, with a single tumor in 77 subjects, two skin cancers in 31 patients, 3 in 21 patients, whereas at least 4 NMSCs developed in 19 KTRs. We observed an increased risk of the development of cutaneous neoplasms for the male gender, old age at transplantation (>50 years), light phototype, solar lentigo, history of sunburns, or chronic actinic damage. Considering patients affected by multiple keratinocyte neoplasms, we observed a significant association of actinic damage and solar lentigo with an increased risk of NMSCs; their significance was confirmed even at the multivariable model. Conclusions: Our results confirm the role played by chronic cutaneous actinic damage in carcinogenesis on KTRs and highlight the significance of individualized periodic dermatological screening.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2586
Author(s):  
Stephan Kemmner ◽  
Christopher Holzmann-Littig ◽  
Helene Sandberger ◽  
Quirin Bachmann ◽  
Flora Haberfellner ◽  
...  

Delayed graft function (DGF) following kidney transplantation is associated with increased risk of graft failure, but biomarkers to predict DGF are scarce. We evaluated serum uromodulin (sUMOD), a potential marker for tubular integrity with immunomodulatory capacities, in kidney transplant recipients and its association with DGF. We included 239 kidney transplant recipients and measured sUMOD pretransplant and on postoperative Day 1 (POD1) as independent variables. The primary outcome was DGF, defined as need for dialysis within one week after transplantation. In total, 64 patients (27%) experienced DGF. In multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusting for recipient, donor and transplant associated risk factors each 10 ng/mL higher pretransplant sUMOD was associated with 47% lower odds for DGF (odds ratio (OR) 0.53, 95% confidence interval (95%-CI) 0.30–0.82). When categorizing pretransplant sUMOD into quartiles, the quartile with the lowest values had 4.4-fold higher odds for DGF compared to the highest quartile (OR 4.41, 95%-CI 1.54–13.93). Adding pretransplant sUMOD to a model containing established risk factors for DGF in multivariable receiver-operating-characteristics (ROC) curve analysis, the area-under-the-curve improved from 0.786 [95%-CI 0.723–0.848] to 0.813 [95%-CI 0.755–0.871, p = 0.05]. SUMOD on POD1 was not associated with DGF. In conclusion, higher pretransplant sUMOD was independently associated with lower odds for DGF, potentially serving as a non-invasive marker to stratify patients according to their risk for developing DGF early in the setting of kidney transplantation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 205435812110609
Author(s):  
Kyla L. Naylor ◽  
Gregory A. Knoll ◽  
Justin Slater ◽  
Eric McArthur ◽  
Amit X. Garg ◽  
...  

Background: Early hospital readmissions (EHRs) occur commonly in kidney transplant recipients. Conflicting evidence exists regarding risk factors and outcomes of EHRs. Objective: To determine risk factors and outcomes associated with EHRs (ie, hospitalization within 30 days of discharge from transplant hospitalization) in kidney transplant recipients. Design: Population-based cohort study using linked, administrative health care databases. Setting: Ontario, Canada. Patients: We included 5437 kidney transplant recipients from 2002 to 2015. Measurements: Risk factors and outcomes associated with EHRs. We assessed donor, recipient, and transplant risk factors. We also assessed the following outcomes: total graft failure, death-censored graft failure, death with a functioning graft, mortality, and late hospital readmission. Methods: We used multivariable logistic regression to examine the association of each risk factor and the odds of EHR. To examine the relationship between EHR status (yes vs no [reference]) and the outcomes associated with EHR (eg, total graft failure), we used a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model. Results: In all, 1128 kidney transplant recipients (20.7%) experienced an EHR. We found the following risk factors were associated with an increased risk of EHR: older recipient age, lower income quintile, several comorbidities, longer hospitalization for initial kidney transplant, and older donor age. After adjusting for clinical characteristics, compared to recipients without an EHR, recipients with an EHR had an increased risk of total graft failure (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.29, 1.65), death-censored graft failure (aHR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.36, 1.94), death with graft function (aHR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.59), mortality (aHR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.22, 1.63), and late hospital readmission in the first 0.5 years of follow-up (eg, 0 to <0.25 years: aHR: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.85, 2.40). Limitations: We were not able to identify which readmissions could have been preventable and there is a potential for residual confounding. Conclusions: Results can be used to identify kidney transplant recipients at risk of EHR and emphasize the need for interventions to reduce the risk of EHRs. Trial registration: This is not applicable as this is a population-based cohort study and not a clinical trial.


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1102
Author(s):  
Angelica Rodriguez-Niño ◽  
Diego O. Pastene ◽  
Adrian Post ◽  
M. Yusof Said ◽  
Antonio W. Gomes-Neto ◽  
...  

Carnosine affords protection against oxidative and carbonyl stress, yet high concentrations of the carnosinase-1 enzyme may limit this. We recently reported that high urinary carnosinase-1 is associated with kidney function decline and albuminuria in patients with chronic kidney disease. We prospectively investigated whether urinary carnosinase-1 is associated with a high risk for development of late graft failure in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Carnosine and carnosinase-1 were measured in 24 h urine in a longitudinal cohort of 703 stable KTRs and 257 healthy controls. Cox regression was used to analyze the prospective data. Urinary carnosine excretions were significantly decreased in KTRs (26.5 [IQR 21.4–33.3] µmol/24 h versus 34.8 [IQR 25.6–46.8] µmol/24 h; p < 0.001). In KTRs, high urinary carnosinase-1 concentrations were associated with increased risk of undetectable urinary carnosine (OR 1.24, 95%CI [1.06–1.45]; p = 0.007). During median follow-up for 5.3 [4.5–6.0] years, 84 (12%) KTRs developed graft failure. In Cox regression analyses, high urinary carnosinase-1 excretions were associated with increased risk of graft failure (HR 1.73, 95%CI [1.44–2.08]; p < 0.001) independent of potential confounders. Since urinary carnosine is depleted and urinary carnosinase-1 imparts a higher risk for graft failure in KTRs, future studies determining the potential of carnosine supplementation in these patients are warranted.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (13) ◽  
pp. 2854
Author(s):  
Fernanda Rodrigues ◽  
J. Swarte ◽  
Rianne Douwes ◽  
Tim Knobbe ◽  
Camilo Sotomayor ◽  
...  

Background: Diarrhea is common among kidney transplant recipients (KTR). Exhaled hydrogen (H2) is a surrogate marker of small bowel dysbiosis, which may drive diarrhea. We studied the relationship between exhaled H2 and diarrhea in KTR, and explored potential clinical and dietary determinants. Methods: Clinical, laboratory, and dietary data were analyzed from 424 KTR participating in the TransplantLines Biobank and Cohort Study (NCT03272841). Fasting exhaled H2 concentration was measured using a model DP Quintron Gas Chromatograph. Diarrhea was defined as fast transit time (types 6 and 7 according to the Bristol Stool Form Scale, BSFS) of 3 or more episodes per day. We studied the association between exhaled H2 and diarrhea with multivariable logistic regression analysis, and explored potential determinants using linear regression. Results: KTR (55.4 ± 13.2 years, 60.8% male, mean eGFR 49.8 ± 19.1 mL/min/1.73 m2) had a median exhaled H2 of 11 (5.0–25.0) ppm. Signs of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (exhaled H2 ≥ 20 ppm) were present in 31.6% of the KTR, and 33.0% had diarrhea. Exhaled H2 was associated with an increased risk of diarrhea (odds ratio 1.51, 95% confidence interval 1.07–2.14 per log2 ppm, p = 0.02). Polysaccharide intake was independently associated with higher H2 (std. β 0.24, p = 0.01), and a trend for an association with proton-pump inhibitor use was observed (std. β 0.16 p = 0.05). Conclusion: Higher exhaled H2 is associated with an increased risk of diarrhea in KTR. Our findings set the stage for further studies investigating the relationship between dietary factors, small bowel dysbiosis, and diarrhea after kidney transplantation.


2014 ◽  
Vol 97 (5) ◽  
pp. 569-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alainna J. Jamal ◽  
Shahid Husain ◽  
Yanhong Li ◽  
Olusegun Famure ◽  
S. Joseph Kim

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