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. 2022 Jan-Mar;44(1):75-83.
doi: 10.1590/2175-8239-JBN-2021-0127.

Dengue infection in kidney transplant recipients: clinical course and its impact on renal function

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Claudia Ribeiro  1 , Sylvia Aparecida Dias Turani  1 , Silvana Maria Carvalho Miranda  1 , Pedro Augusto Macedo de Souza  1 , Maria Goretti Moreira Guimarães Penido  1   2
Affiliations

Dengue infection in kidney transplant recipients: clinical course and its impact on renal function

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Claudia Ribeiro et al. J Bras Nefrol. 2022 Jan-Mar.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Introduction: Kidney transplant recipients (KTR) are at increased risk for dengue virus (DENV) infection. The aim of this study was to outline the clinical presentation and laboratory profile of DENV infection in KTR and its impact on renal function.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of KTR diagnosed with DENV infection. Adult patients who visited Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte Nephrology Center between April and September 2019 were included. Patients who did not sign the Informed Consent were excluded. Data were collected from the database and medical records. The study was approved by the local Institutional Ethics Committee and the Informed Consent was obtained.

Results: Nineteen KTR were evaluated. The main signs and symptoms were myalgia, headache/retro-orbital pain, fever, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Two patients had acute cholecystitis without calculus, three experienced pleural and/or pericardial effusion, and one developed acute myocarditis. All patients were under immunosuppression with prednisone, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate, and most were not receiving induction therapy. Temporary suspension/reduction of immunosuppression was required in 58% of patients and leukopenia was the most common reason. Thrombocytopenia was common and 58% of patients developed acute kidney injury. All patients recovered renal function.

Conclusions: DENV infection in KTR patients seems to follow a similar course as in the general population. Although there was no control group, we suspect that immunosuppression, preexisting kidney disease or type of donor was not a determining factor in most patients. Transient renal dysfunction was common but reversible. No patient experienced death or graft loss.

Introdução:: Receptores de transplante renal (RTR) apresentam maior risco de infecção pelo vírus da dengue (DENV). O objetivo deste estudo foi delinear apresentação clínica e perfil laboratorial da infecção por DENV em RTR e seu impacto na função renal.

Métodos:: Este foi um estudo retrospectivo de RTR diagnosticados com infecção por DENV. Incluiu-se pacientes adultos que estiveram no Centro Nefrológico da Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte entre Abril/Setembro, 2019. Foram excluídos pacientes que não assinaram o Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido. Dados foram coletados do banco de dados e registros médicos. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética Institucional local e obteve-se o Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido.

Resultados:: Avaliou-se dezenove RTR. Principais sinais e sintomas foram mialgia, cefaleia/dor retro-orbital, febre, sintomas gastrointestinais. Dois pacientes apresentaram colecistite aguda sem cálculo, três sofreram derrame pleural e/ou pericárdico, um desenvolveu miocardite aguda. Todos os pacientes estavam sob imunossupressão com prednisona, tacrolimus, micofenolato. A maioria não estava recebendo terapia de indução. Suspensão/redução temporária da imunossupressão foi necessária em 58% dos pacientes e leucopenia foi a razão mais comum. Trombocitopenia foi comum e 58% dos pacientes desenvolveram lesão renal aguda. Todos recuperaram a função renal.

Conclusões:: A infecção por DENV em pacientes RTR parece seguir um curso semelhante ao da população em geral. Embora não houvesse grupo controle, suspeitamos que imunossupressão, doença renal preexistente ou tipo de doador não foram fator determinante na maioria dos pacientes. Disfunção renal transitória foi comum, mas reversível. Nenhum paciente veio ao óbito ou sofreu perda do enxerto.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

There are no conflicts of interest between the investigators and the patients, who authorized by signing the free and informed consent form.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Evolution of creatinine values (mg/dL) during and after the DENV infection in the kidney transplant patients (n = 19).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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