Viral Clearance and Serological Response to SARS-CoV-2 in Kidney Transplant Recipients

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021

Authors

Silvano, J (Author) Other; Ferreira, F (Author) Other; Bustorff, M (Author) Other; Nunes, AT (Author) Other; Tavares, I (Author) FMUP; Simoes, JS (Author) Other; Ramos, A (Author) Other; Cardoso, MJ (Author) Other; Sampaio, S (Author) FMUP; Pestana M (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Transplantation Proceedings

Vol. 53

Pages: 1180-1186

ISSN: 0041-1345

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 9 Citations

Scopus - 10 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00T-9AJ

DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2020.11.008

Abstract (EN): Objectives. Knowledge about the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) concerning viral shedding and humoral immune response against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is limited. The aim of this study is to analyze viral dynamics and the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 in KTRs with COVID-19 and study their association with clinical data. Materials and methods. Consecutive KTRs diagnosed with COVID-19 at our center were evaluated for clinical presentation and outcome; duration of viral shedding and viral burden by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay cycle threshold; and magnitude of seroconversion to SARS-CoV-2. Results. Six KTRs identified with COVID-19 were hospitalized. Presenting symptoms were similar to those in the general population. Four patients had severe disease and, of these, 2 required mechanical ventilation, 4 had acute kidney injury, and 3 had secondary bacterial infections. Immunosuppression was reduced in all patients. Five patients were treated with hydroxychloroquine. No patient required dialysis or died. Patients with severe disease had a longer duration of viral shedding, which lasted more than 40 days, and had IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, which were detected from 3 weeks to as long as 10 weeks after symptom onset. In patients with less severe disease no IgG antibodies where detected between 9 and 14 weeks after symptom onset. Conclusions. In our series, KTRs with severe COVID-19 had prolonged viral shedding and a stronger humoral immune response to SARS-CoV-2. These preliminary data need to be confirmed with further studies and over a longer period of time.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7