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Abstract: PO0064

COVID-19 Among a Population of Predominantly American Indian and Hispanic American Kidney Transplant Recipients

Session Information

Category: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

  • 000 Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Authors

  • Singh, Pooja, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
  • Kataria, Ashish, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
  • Argyropoulos, Christos, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Background

COVID-19 leads to higher mortality among organ transplant recipients when compared to the general population.

Methods

In this study, 52 renal transplant recipients with COVID-19 were followed through 60 days from the date of initial diagnosis. We analyzed basic demographics, therapeutics used, and clinical outcomes among patients who survived and those who did not.

Results

Of the entire cohort, 53.8% were Hispanic Whites, 38.5% American Indian, and 5.8% were non-Hispanic Whites. 48% required hospital admission and 17% died, with 15% of deaths attributed to complications secondary to COVID-19. All those who died were either American Indian or Hispanic. Comorbidities among the non-survivors included hypertension (100%), chronic kidney disease (67%), diabetes (78%), and either being overweight or obese (100%). 89% had acute kidney injury and 56% required renal replacement therapy. Gender, blood type, and panel reactive antibody prior to transplant did not correlate with disease severity. There was no improvement in mortality during the fall/winter surge compared to the spring/summer surge, though therapies improved during the pandemic. None of the patients who received monoclonal antibody progressed to severe disease or died.

Conclusion

In conclusion, mortality with SARS-CoV-2 infection remains high among kidney transplant recipients, especially from ethnic minority groups. However, therapy with monoclonal antibody was associated with a reduced progression to severe disease and better outcomes. Therefore, it should be considered as a therapy in this high-risk group of patients if they satisfy the eligibility criteria listed by the Food and Drug Administration. Finally, further studies are needed to corroborate the findings from our study.