COVID-19 in Kidney Transplantation: Outcomes, Immunosuppression Management, and Operational Challenges

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has led to the death of hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. If infected, older individuals and those with diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and compromised immune systems are at higher risk for unfavorable outcomes. These comorbidities are prevalent in patients with kidney disease, hence the significant burden of COVID-19 on kidney transplant programs. Multiple case series of kidney transplant recipients with COVID-19 have shown increased mortality compared to nontransplant patients. To date, we do not have high-level evidence to inform immunosuppression minimization strategies in infected transplant recipients. Most centers however have adopted early antimetabolite withdrawal in addition to other interventions. This review summarizes the published COVID-19 literature as it relates to outcomes and immunosuppression management in kidney transplant recipients. It also discusses challenges pertaining to pretransplant evaluation and wait-listed patients.

Keywords: Coronavirus disease; Immunosuppression; Renal transplantation; SARS-CoV-2.

Figure 1

A proposed algorithm for approaching kidney transplant operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Incorporate telemedicine wherever possible. CnI, calcineurin inhibitor; IS, immunosuppression; LDKT, living donor kidney transplantation; NP NAT, nasopharyngeal nucleic acid testing; PPE, personal protective equipment.