Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir for patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and impaired kidney function during the Omicron surge.

Background: Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir has demonstrated effectiveness in high-risk patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, investigations on the efficacy and safety of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in patients with kidney dysfunction are limited. Methods: Data were collected from the patients admitted to a COVID-19 referral center in Shanghai, China. Patients were at least 18 years of age and had a baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <60 ml/min/1·73 m2. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality, intensive care unit admission, or cardiovascular events. The secondary endpoint was viral shedding. Results: Among the 195 participants, 73 received nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. A lower risk of the primary endpoint was observed in nirmatrelvir/ritonavir recipients compared with non-recipients [adjusted HR 0.56 (95% CI: 0.32-0.96); p = 0.035]. Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir recipients experienced a shorter duration of viral shedding [adjusted HR 3·70 (95%CI: 2.60-5.28); p < 0.001) and faster viral load clearance versus non-recipients. Among the nirmatrelvir/ritonavir users, earlier initiation of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir within 5 days since COVID-19 diagnosis was related with shorter viral shedding time (adjusted HR 7.84 [95% CI: 3.28-18.76]; p < 0.001) compared to late initiation. No patients reported serious adverse events during treatment. Conclusion: Our findings support the early initiation of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir for high-risk patients with impaired kidney function. This could improve patient outcomes and shorten the viral shedding period.

Adaptive immune dysfunction in patients with COVID-19 and impaired kidney function during the omicron surge.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the characteristics of lymphocyte subsets and the association with patient outcomes in COVID-19 with and without impaired kidney function. METHODS: Lymphocyte subsets were compared in COVID-19 patients with or without kidney dysfunction. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause mortality or intensive care unit admission. Secondary outcomes included duration of viral shedding, length of hospital stay, and acute kidney injury. RESULTS: Lymphocyte subset cell counts demonstrated the lowest in patients with severe/critical COVID-19 and kidney dysfunction. Among all lymphocyte subset parameters, Th cell count was the most significant indicator for outcomes. ROC of the combined model of Th cell count and eGFR presented better predictive value than that of the other parameters. Th cell count <394.5 cells/µl and eGFR <87.5 ml/min/1·73m2 were independently associated with poor outcomes. The propensity score matching analysis revealed consistent results. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced Th cell count and eGFR may be applied as promising predictive indicators for identifying COVID-19 patients with high risk and poor outcomes.