COVID-19 in Hemodialysis Patients: A Report of 5 Cases

Abstract

In December 2019, an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) began in China and spread rapidly worldwide. It is unknown whether hemodialysis patients represent a distinct group of patients with certain characteristics that may make them susceptible to infection or severe disease. In this case report, we describe the clinical and epidemiologic features of COVID-19 infection in 201 maintenance hemodialysis patients in Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, including 5 maintenance hemodialysis patients who contracted COVID-19 infection. Of the 5 patients with COVID-19 infection, one had a definite history of contact with an infected person. The age range of the patients was 47 to 67 years. Diarrhea (80%), fever (60%), and fatigue (60%) were the most common symptoms. Lymphopenia occurred in all patients. Computed tomography of the chest showed ground glass opacity in the lungs of all patients. Up to February 13, 2020, none of the patients had developed severe complications (acute respiratory distress syndrome, shock, or multiple organ dysfunction) or died.

Keywords: COVID-19; Hemodialysis; SARS-CoV-2; case report; chest radiograph; coronavirus; diarrhea; end-stage renal disease (ESRD); symptoms.

Figure 1

Computed tomographic scans (transverse plane) of the chest of patients 1 and 3. (A) Patient 1: bilateral ground glass opacity, mainly in the lower lobes of both lungs, with air bronchogram sign. (B) Patient 3: bilateral ground glass opacity of lower lung lobes and round shape consolidation opacity with air bronchogram sign in the right lower lung lobe.