Iranian kidney transplant recipients with COVID-19 infection: Clinical outcomes and cytomegalovirus coinfection

Background There is a high risk of COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) because of chronic immunosuppression and severe cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonitis. Case presentation A case series of 10 KTRs with COVID-19 in Iran was developed. Participants consisted of two female and eight male patients, aged 46-68 years old. The data related to clinical laboratory tests, outcomes, diagnosis, and drug treatments were collected. The RT-PCR confirmed the COVID-19 infection in KTRs. The assessment of serum biochemical and blood hematological factors showed that there was a strong correlation between COVID-19 intensity and high serum Cr, BUN, and ALT levels, high CRP concentration, and lower lymphocyte and platelet counts in male KTRs. Ground-glass opacity (GGO) was the main radiologic pattern visible on both chest radiographs of computed tomography scans. The COVID-19 and CMV coinfection in KTRs resulted in large-size kidneys with severe parenchymal echogenicity and hydronephrosis. The combined use of effective antibiotic and antiviral drugs was suitable to prevent COVID-19 progression in KTRs. Conclusions The coincidence of COVID-19 and CMV in KTRs may potentially increase the mortality risk of patients. The levels of Cr, BUN, ALT, and CRP as well as lymphocytes count in these patients should be continuously controlled.

Automated summary

This study examined a case series of 10 KTRs with COVID-19 in Iran, revealing that the severity of COVID-19 in male KTRs was associated with elevated levels of certain blood indicators and decreased lymphocyte and platelet counts, emphasizing the importance of continuous monitoring of these indicators during treatment.