Consequences of the first and second COVID‐19 wave on kidney transplant recipients at a large Indian transplant centre. Issue 2 (21st August 2021) - Kute, Vivek B.
Abstract: Background: There is a scarcity of data comparing the consequences of first and second COVID‐19 waves on kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) in India. Methods: We conducted a single‐centre retrospective study of 259 KTRs with COVID‐19 to compare first wave (March 15–December 31 2020, n = 157) and second wave (April 1–May 31 2021, n = 102). Results: KTRs during second wave were younger (43 vs. 40 years; p ‐value .04) and also included paediatric patients (0 vs. 5.9%; p ‐value .003). Symptoms were milder during the second wave (45 vs. 62.7%; p ‐value .007); COVID‐19 positive patients had less frequent cough (32 vs. 13.8%; p ‐value .001), fever was less frequent (58 vs. 37%; p ‐value .001), and we observed fewer co‐morbidities (11 vs. 20.6%; p ‐value .04). The percentages of neutrophils (77 vs. 83%; p ‐value .001) and serum ferritin (439 vs. 688; p ‐value .0006) were higher during second wave, while lymphocyte counts were reduced (20 vs. 14%; p ‐value .0001). Hydroxychloroquine (11 vs. 0%; p ‐value .0001) and tocilizumab (7 vs. 0%; p ‐value .004) were more frequently prescribed during first wave, while utilization of dexamethasone (6 vs. 27%; p ‐value .0001) and remdesivir (47 vs. 65%; p ‐value .03) increased during the second wave. Mucormycosis (1.3 vs. 10%; p ‐value .01) and ICU admissions (20 vs. 37.2%; p ‐value .002) were more frequent during second wave. The 28‐day mortality rate (9.6 vs. 10%; p ‐value 1) was not different. Conclusions: There has been a different clinical spectrum of COVID‐19 amongst KTR with similar mortality between the two waves at a large Indian transplant centre. SUMMARY AT A GLANCE: A large single centre study from India reporting on the health outcomes of COVID‐19 infected kidney transplant recipients during the two waves of between 2020 and 2021. The rate of intensive care admission was more frequent during the second wave of infection although mortality rates were similar in both waves.