International comparison and time trends of first kidney transplant recipient characteristics across Europe: an ERA Registry study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to provide an overview of age, sex and primary renal disease (PRD) distribution among first kidney transplant recipients across Europe. METHOD: The European Renal Association (ERA) Registry database was used to obtain data on patients aged 20 years or older receiving their first kidney transplant between 2010 and 2019 from 12 European countries. The numbers and percentages of recipients in each age, sex and PRD group were calculated by country, donor type and year. RESULTS: In total, 99 543 adults received a first kidney transplant. Overall, 23% of the recipients were 65 years or older, 36% were female, and 21% had glomerulonephritis and 15% diabetes mellitus as PRD. Compared with deceased donor kidney transplant recipients, living donor kidney transplant recipients were less often 65 years or older (13% versus 26%), more often had glomerulonephritis (25% versus 20%) and less often diabetes mellitus (8% versus 17%) as PRD. We found large international differences, which were most prominent for age and PRD and less prominent for sex. Over time, the largest change in recipient characteristics was observed for the percentage of recipients aged 65 years or older, increasing from 18% in 2010 to 28% in 2019 for all countries combined with a similar trend in most countries. CONCLUSION: We observed large differences for age and PRD distribution between recipients of living and deceased donor kidneys and between European countries. Over time, the percentage of older first kidney transplant recipients increased.

Immunoguided Discontinuation of Prophylaxis for Cytomegalovirus Disease in Kidney Transplant Recipients Treated With Antithymocyte Globulin: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Antiviral prophylaxis is recommended in cytomegalovirus (CMV)-seropositive kidney transplant (KT) recipients receiving antithymocyte globulin (ATG) as induction. An alternative strategy of premature discontinuation of prophylaxis after CMV-specific cell-mediated immunity (CMV-CMI) recovery (immunoguided prevention) has not been studied. Our aim was to determine whether it is effective and safe to discontinue prophylaxis when CMV-CMI is detected and to continue with preemptive therapy. METHODS: In this open-label, noninferiority clinical trial, patients were randomized 1:1 to follow an immunoguided strategy, receiving prophylaxis until CMV-CMI recovery or to receive fixed-duration prophylaxis until day 90. After prophylaxis, preemptive therapy (valganciclovir 900 mg twice daily) was indicated in both arms until month 6. The primary and secondary outcomes were incidence of CMV disease and replication, respectively, within the first 12 months. Desirability of outcome ranking (DOOR) assessed 2 deleterious events (CMV disease/replication and neutropenia). RESULTS: A total of 150 CMV-seropositive KT recipients were randomly assigned. There was no difference in the incidence of CMV disease (0% vs 2.7%; P = .149) and replication (17.1% vs 13.5%; log-rank test, P = .422) between both arms. Incidence of neutropenia was lower in the immunoguided arm (9.2% vs 37.8%; odds ratio, 6.0; P < .001). A total of 66.1% of patients in the immunoguided arm showed a better DOOR, indicating a greater likelihood of a better outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylaxis can be prematurely discontinued in CMV-seropositive KT patients receiving ATG when CMV-CMI is recovered since no significant increase in the incidence of CMV replication or disease is observed. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT03123627.

Apolipoprotein A-Ib as a biomarker of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis recurrence after kidney transplantation: diagnostic performance and assessment of its prognostic value - a multi-centre cohort study.

Recurrence of idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a serious complication after kidney transplantation. FSGS relapse is suspected by a sudden increase in proteinuria but there is not an accurate noninvasive diagnostic tool to confirm this entity or to detect patients at risk. We aimed to validate the diagnostic performance of ApoA-Ib to detect FSGS relapses by measuring urinary ApoA-Ib in a retrospective cohort of 61 kidney transplanted patients (37 FSGS and 24 non-FSGS). In addition, to assess the ApoA-Ib predictive ability, ApoA-Ib was measured periodically in a prospective cohort of 13 idiopathic FSGS patients who were followed during 1 year after transplantation. ApoA-Ib had a sensitivity of 93.3% and a specificity of 90.9% to diagnose FSGS relapses, with a high negative predictive value (95.2%), confirming our previous results. In the prospective cohort, ApoA-Ib predated the recurrence in four of five episodes observed. In the nonrelapsing group (n = 9), ApoA-Ib was negative in 37 of 38 samples. ApoA-Ib has the potential to be a good diagnostic biomarker of FSGS relapses, providing a confident criterion to exclude false positives even in the presence of high proteinuria. It has also the potential to detect patients at risk of relapse, even before transplantation.

Cinacalcet for hypercalcaemic secondary hyperparathyroidism after renal transplantation: a multicentre, retrospective, 3-year study.

AIMS: Our aim was to evaluate the long-term effect of cinacalcet in patients with hypercalcaemic secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) after renal transplantation (RT) in order to expand real-world data in this population. METHODS: We performed a multicentre, observational, retrospective study in 17 renal transplant units from Spain. We collected data from renal recipients with hypercalcaemic (calcium >10.2 mg/dL) SHPT (intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) > 120 pg/mL) who initiated cinacalcet in the clinical practice. RESULTS: We included 193 patients with a mean (standard deviation (SD)) age of 52 (12) years, 58% men. Cinacalcet treatment was initiated at a median of 20 months after RT (median dose 30 mg/day). Mean calcium levels decreased from a mean (SD) of 11.1 (0.6) at baseline to 10.1 (0.8) at 6 months (9.0% reduction, P < 0.0001). Median iPTH was reduced by 23.0% at 6 months (P = 0.0005) and mean phosphorus levels increased by 11.1% (P < 0.0001). The effects were maintained up to 3-years. No changes were observed in renal function or anticalcineurin drug levels. Only 4.1% of patients discontinued cinacalcet due to intolerance and 1.0% due to lack of efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: In renal transplant patients with hypercalcaemic SHPT, cinacalcet controlled serum calcium, iPTH and phosphorus levels up to 3 years. Tolerability was good.

Predicting Kidney Transplantation Outcomes from Donor and Recipient Characteristics at Time Zero: Development of a Mobile Application for Nephrologists.

(1) Background: We report on the development of a predictive tool that can estimate kidney transplant survival at time zero. (2) Methods: This was an observational, retrospective study including 5078 transplants. Death-censored graft and patient survivals were calculated. (3) Results: Graft loss was associated with donor age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.021, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.018-1.024, p < 0.001), uncontrolled donation after circulatory death (DCD) (HR 1.576, 95% CI 1.241-2.047, p < 0.001) and controlled DCD (HR 1.567, 95% CI 1.372-1.812, p < 0.001), panel reactive antibody percentage (HR 1.009, 95% CI 1.007-1.011, p < 0.001), and previous transplants (HR 1.494, 95% CI 1.367-1.634, p < 0.001). Patient survival was associated with recipient age (> 60 years, HR 5.507, 95% CI 4.524-6.704, p < 0.001 vs. < 40 years), donor age (HR 1.019, 95% CI 1.016-1.023, p < 0.001), dialysis vintage (HR 1.0000263, 95% CI 1.000225-1.000301, p < 0.01), and male sex (HR 1.229, 95% CI 1.135-1.332, p < 0.001). The C-statistics for graft and patient survival were 0.666 (95% CI: 0.646, 0.686) and 0.726 (95% CI: 0.710-0.742), respectively. (4) Conclusions: We developed a mobile app to estimate survival at time zero, which can guide decisions for organ allocation.

Management of cytomegalovirus in adult solid organ transplant patients: GESITRA-IC-SEIMC, CIBERINFEC, and SET recommendations update.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection remains a significant challenge in solid organ transplantation (SOT). The last international consensus guidelines on the management of CMV in SOT were published in 2018, highlighting the need for revision to incorporate recent advances, notably in cell-mediated immunity monitoring, which could alter the current standard of care. A working group including members from the Group for the Study of Infection in Transplantation and the Immunocompromised Host (GESITRA-IC) of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC) and the Spanish Society of Transplantation (SET), developed consensus-based recommendations for managing CMV infection in SOT recipients. Recommendations were classified based on evidence strength and quality using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. The final recommendations were endorsed through a consensus meeting and approved by the expert panel.

High incidence of delayed graft function in HIV-infected kidney transplant recipients.

Kidney transplantation (KT) outcomes in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected recipients are under continuous research. High incidence of early post-transplant complications such as acute rejection has been observed. A multicenter study including HIV-infected patients who underwent KT in Spain, from 2001 to 2011, was performed. The study population included 108 recipients, 36 HIV-infected, and 72 matched HIV-negative KT recipients. HIV-infected recipients developed more delayed graft function (DGF) (52% vs. 21%, P < 0.001). One- and 3-year graft survival was 91.6% and 86.2% in HIV-infected patients, and 97.1% and 94.7% in HIV-negative patients (P = 0.052). In two-variate Cox analysis, HIV infection was not a predictor of graft loss after adjusting for time on dialysis, acute rejection, and DGF. Multivariate analysis for DGF revealed HIV-positive status as independent risk factor. We analyzed the evolution of immunosuppressive and antiretroviral therapy (ART). In HIV-infected patients tacrolimus trough levels were very high in the first week and significantly lower in the second week post-transplant (P = 0.042). Post-transplant ART was significantly changed: protease inhibitors use decreased (P = 0.034) and integrase inhibitor use increased (P < 0.001). DGF is another frequent early complication in HIV-infected recipients that can affect graft survival. Strategies to prevent DGF and antiretroviral regimes with less drug interactions could improve outcomes.

Changes over time in the causes of death with a functioning graft in kidney transplantation recipients.

INTRODUCTION: Death with a functioning graft (DWFG) is the most frequent cause of loss of kidney transplantation (KT). OBJECTIVE: To analyze the evolution of the causes of DWFG and the frequency of the types of cancer causing DWFG. METHODS: Retrospective study of KT in Andalusia from 1984 to 2018. We analyzed the evolution according to eras (1984-1995; 1996-2007; 2008-2018) and according to post-transplant period (early death: first year post-KT; late death: after first year post-KT). RESULTS: A total of 9905 KT were performed, registering 1861 DWFG. The most frequent causes were cardiovascular disease (25.1%), infections (21.5%) and cancer (19.9%). In early death we did not observe changes, and infections were always the main cause. In late death, cardiovascular death decreased (1984-1995: 35.2%, 1996-2007: 22.6%, 2008-2018: 23.9%), but infections (1984-1995: 12.5%, 1996-2007: 18.3%, 2008-2018: 19.9%) and, above all, cancer-related deaths increased (1984-1995: 21.8%, 1996-2007: 29%, 2008-2018: 26.8%) (P < .001). In the multivariable analysis for late death due to cardiovascular disease, recipient age, retransplantation, diabetes, and the first period were risk factors, while the risk of late death due to cancer and infections was associated with recent eras. In the first year after transplantation, the most frequent neoplasia causing DWFG was post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease, and after the first year, it was lung cancer, without differences when it was analyzed by eras. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the greater comorbidity of the recipients, cardiovascular deaths have decreased. Cancer has been the main cause of late death in recent years. Lung cancer is the most frequent malignancy that causes DWFG in our transplant patients.

Normothermic Regional Perfusion in Controlled Donation After Circulatory Determination of Death Simultaneous Pancreas - Kidney Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation is the optimal treatment for patients with type 1 diabetes and renal failure. The use of pancreas grafts from donation after circulatory death (DCD), using normothermic regional perfusion (NRP), is still marginal worldwide, mainly due to possible additional risks of graft dysfunction and complications compared with grafts from donors after brain death. METHODS: Case series of patients who underwent simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation after DCD-NRP between January 2018 and September 2022. This study evaluated early postoperative grafts and survival outcomes. RESULTS: Four patients were included. One patient lost the pancreatic graft due to arterial thrombosis requiring transplantectomy. Another patient required a laparotomy due to hemoperitoneum. Overall, 1-year pancreas and kidney graft survival was 75% and 100%, respectively. One patient developed a lymphoma during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: The use of pancreas grafts from DCD after NRP preservation is safe and feasible. Comparative studies with donors after brain death grafts and larger series are required to confirm the feasibility of DCD-NRP pancreas transplantation.

Update of the recommendations on the management of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) in kidney transplant patients.

SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) has had a significant impact on transplant activity in our country. Mortality and the risk of complications associated with COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients (KT) were expected to be higher due to their immunosuppressed condition and the frequent associated comorbidities. Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 we have rapidly improved our knowledge about the epidemiology, clinical features and management of COVID-19 post-transplant, resulting in a better prognosis for our patients. KT units have been able to adapt their programs to this new reality, normalizing both donation and transplantation activity in our country. This manuscript presents a proposal to update the general recommendations for the prevention and treatment of infection in this highly vulnerable population such as KT.

Short- and Long-Term Intestinal Complications After Combined Pancreas-Kidney Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation is the treatment of choice in patients with type 1 diabetes and end-stage renal disease, because it improves survival and quality of life. Currently, enteric exocrine drainage is the most commonly used method. Intestinal complications continue to be a major cause of posttransplant morbidity despite improvements in surgical technique. This study analyzed early and late intestinal complications related to SPK transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 100 adult patients undergoing SPK transplantation between January 2009 and December 2019. We performed systemic venous drainage and exocrine enteric drainage with duodenojejunostomy. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v2. This study was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Istanbul and the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent was obtained from all participants involved in the study. RESULTS: Intestinal complications were reported in 18 patients. Ten patients (10%) had the following early intestinal complications including: ileus (n = 4), intestinal obstruction (n = 2), graft volvulus (n = 1), duodenal graft fistula (n = 1), and jejunal fistula after pancreas transplantation (n = 1). Two cases required relaparotomy: graft repositioning with Roux-en-Y conversion (n = 1) and Y-roux conversion (n = 1). Eight patients had repeated episodes of intestinal obstruction (8%), of whom 2 required surgery for resolution with 100% postoperative mortality. CONCLUSIONS: SPK transplantation with enteric drainage via duodenojejunostomy has a low rate of short- and long-term postoperative intestinal complications. Surgery in patients with recurrent intestinal obstruction has a high mortality risk and should be performed in reference transplant centers.

Incidence of Lymphoproliferative Disorders After Renal Transplantation is Down, but the Poor Prognosis Remains. Multicenter 32-Year Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders represent rare but serious complications of kidney transplantation. METHODS: We assessed incidence, risk factors, and outcomes in 21,546 patients receiving grafts between 1990 and 2009. Data were compared by decade of transplant (1990-1999 vs 2000-2009). Patients were followed for at least 12 years over a 32-year study period. RESULTS: In total, 331 patients (1.5%) developed PTLD: 189 of 9740 transplanted in the first decade, and 142 of 11,806 in the second. Incidence decreased significantly (19.40 vs12.02 cases/1000 patients; P < .001). Mean age at diagnosis was 50.2 years (standard deviation 14.7), and the median time from transplant to PTLD diagnosis was 48 months (interquartile range, 14.7-77.5), with no difference between cohorts. The origin of PTLD was mostly (86%) B-cell proliferation. No classical risk factors were reported in 31.7% of affected patients. Compared with 2000 to 2009, in 1990 to 1999 there was a higher frequency of induction therapy (P = .023) and detection of the Epstein-Barr virus in lymphoproliferative tissue (71.3% vs 52.7% P = .019). After diagnosis, 1- and 5-year patient survival was 51% and 38%. Graft survival was 48% and 33%. Survival was stable throughout the study period. CONCLUSION: Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders have a low and decreasing incidence, but the poor prognosis has not changed.

[Update of the recommendations on the management of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) in kidney transplant patients.] / Actualización de las recomendaciones en el manejo de la pandemia por coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) en pacientes con trasplante renal.

SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) has had a significant impact on transplant activity in our country. Mortality and the risk of complications associated with COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients (KT) were expected to be higher due to their immunosuppressed condition and the frequent associated comorbidities. Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 we have rapidly improved our knowledge about the epidemiology, clinical features and management of COVID-19 post-transplant, resulting in a better prognosis for our patients. KT units have been able to adapt their programs to this new reality, normalizing both donation and transplantation activity in our country.This manuscript presents a proposal to update the general recommendations for the prevention and treatment of infection in this highly vulnerable population such as KT.

Second and Third Chance to Stop Having Diabetes. Pancreas Retransplant With Functional Kidney Graft: A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplant is the primary option in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus who develop end-stage kidney disease. Pancreas retransplant (PRt) has become an alternative in patients who experience pancreas graft failure (PGF). There is a lack of evidence regarding PRt in international registers. There are small series of published research with indeed heterogeneous results. We aim to compare PRt outcomes with primary SPK transplant in our center. METHODS: The study was designed as a descriptive study of a cohort of 234 patients who received SPK transplant and received another PRt because of PGF at Reina Sofía University Hospital between 1988 and 2021. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to calculate patient and allograft survival. RESULTS: Of these 234 SPK transplants, 53 pancreas grafts (22.6%) were lost initially. In total, 15 PRts were performed. The major cause of first PGF was surgical, whereas the medical cause was the most frequent in the PRt group. There were 60 deaths in the SPK group compared with only 1 in the PRt group. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, the PRt group showed worse survival than the SPK group, with statistically significant difference between groups (P = .05). Patient survival was not different between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: PRt constitutes a viable option for recipients who experience PGF in the absence of formal contraindication. Although graft retransplant survival seems to be inferior to first graft in our series, these results are difficult to compare because of the scarce number of procedures performed.

Breakthrough Infections Following mRNA SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND: The clinical effectiveness of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in kidney transplant (KT) recipients is lower than in the general population. METHODS: From April to October 2021, 481 KT recipients with COVID-19, included in the Spanish Society of Nephrology COVID-19 Registry, were analyzed. Data regarding vaccination status and vaccine type were collected, and outcomes of unvaccinated or partially vaccinated patients (n = 130) were compared with fully vaccinated patients (n = 351). RESULTS: Clinical picture was similar and survival analysis showed no differences between groups: 21.7% of fully vaccinated patients and 20.8% of unvaccinated or partially vaccinated died (P = 0.776). In multivariable analysis, age and pneumonia were independent risk factors for death, whereas vaccination status was not related to mortality. These results remained similar when we excluded patients with partial vaccination, as well as when we analyzed exclusively hospitalized patients. Patients vaccinated with mRNA-1273 (n = 213) showed a significantly lower mortality than those who received the BNT162b2 vaccine (n = 121) (hazard ratio: 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.31-0.85; P = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 severity in KT patients has remained high and has not improved despite receiving 2 doses of the mRNA vaccine. The mRNA-1273 vaccine shows higher clinical effectiveness than BNT162b2 in KT recipients with breakthrough infections. Confirmation of these data will require further research taking into account the new variants and the administration of successive vaccine doses.

Long-term Kidney Function Evolution in Living Kidney Donors: A Single Center Experience.

Living donor kidney transplant is the best treatment for end-stage kidney disease, posing minimal perioperative morbimortality for the donor, although long-term consequences are subject of debate if donor acceptance widens. We present a retrospective observational study analyzing clinical, demographic, and analytical variables throughout the follow-up period of 60 kidney donors whose procedures were performed between 1985 and 2021 at our hospital. Donors were divided according to their previous high blood pressure status, analyzing kidney function and other clinical parameters throughout follow-up. There were no statistically significant differences, although there was a trend toward a higher uric acid levels and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in predonation patients with hypertension, not yielding an excess of end-stage kidney disease between groups at the end of the follow-up. We also analyzed the evolution of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), dividing patients into tertiles, which resulted in none of the parameters associating a higher rate of progression. All donors had an eGFR >71 mL/min/1.73 m2 at the time of donation. Over time, a decline in eGFR <60 mL/min/m/1.73 m2 was observed in 26 patients (53.6%), measured by Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration estimation and in 55.4% of the total (31 patients) by Modification of Diet in Renal Disease. At our center, kidney donors with adequate predonation eGFR, although presenting a reduction in postnephrectomy eGFR, remain stable afterward, with none of them reaching an eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2. We found no differences in the impact of high blood pressure on long-term eGFR, nor predictive factors influencing the rate of eGFR decline. Studies with larger number of patients are needed to confirm these results.

HIV infection and renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Some aspects of kidney transplant outcome in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients are still controversial. Besides, published experience is scarce in Europe. METHODS: A multicentre case-control study was designed to analyse the outcome of renal transplant in HIV + patients in Spain. Twenty HIV + patients were compared with a matched cohort of 40 HIV - recipients. RESULTS: Post-transplant follow-up period was 39.98 ± 36.51 months. Pre-transplant dialysis duration and the incidence of pre-transplant opportunistic infections were significantly higher for HIV + patients. Following transplantation, HIV + recipients presented lower incidence of immediate renal function and more acute rejection. Graft survival was lower although the difference was not significant (1 year: 85 vs 97.5%; 5 years: 74.4 vs 91%; log-rank P = 0.058). There was no difference in patient survival rates. Eight patients in each group presented hepatitis C (HCV) infection. Coinfected patients were compared with HIV +/HCV - and HIV -/HCV + recipients. Coinfected patients presented more time on dialysis, greater duration of delayed graft function and lower graft survival (HIV +/HCV + vs HIV +/HCV -: log-rank P = 0.009; HIV +/HCV + vs HIV -/HCV +: log-rank P = 0.02). Conversely, when excluding HCV + patients in both groups, graft survival in HIV + and HIV - patients was similar. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome was good, particularly in non-coinfected patients. Coinfected patients constitute an especially high-risk group for kidney transplantation.

[Prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus infection in pancreatic transplantation]. / Profilaxis de la infección por citomegalovirus en el trasplante de páncreas.

Pancreatic transplantation carries a higher risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection than renal transplantation alone. The management of CMV disease in pancreatic transplantation depends on the risk indicated by the donor's and recipient's serological profiles (CMV IgG) and the use of antibodies as immunosuppressive therapy (especially thymoglobulin). Most clinical guidelines recommend the use of prophylaxis in preference to preemptive therapy in both donor (D)+/recipient (R)- and D+/R+ pancreatic transplantations. In combinations with highest risk (D+/R-), prophylaxis with valganciclovir 900mg per day for 3 to 6 months is recommended, adjusted to renal funtion. In D+/R+ combinations, if antibody therapy was used in the transplant or in rejection, valgancioclovir prophylaxis is also recommended for 1 to 3 months. When prophylaxis is finished, in both cases, viral load determination (quantitative polymerase chain reaction of CMV) or antigenemia should be carried out for the first year. In D-/R-combinations, preemptive therapy can be considered with determinations of viral load or antigenemia at each follow-up visit during the first year. Once prophylaxis has been suspended, special attention should be paid to the development of delayed CMV disease.

Case Report: Successful Response to Intravenous Immunoglobulin and Steroid Pulses in a Renal Transplant Recipient With Severe Covid-19 Disease and Associated Acute Allograft Failure.

The impact of Covid-19 pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 on transplanted populations under chronic immunosuppression seems to be greater than in normal population. Clinical management of the disease, particularly in those patients worsening after a cytokine storm, with or without allograft impairment and using available therapeutic approaches in the absence of specific drugs to fight against the virus, involves a major challenge for physicians. We herein provide evidence of the usefulness of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) combined with steroid pulses to successfully treat a case of Covid-19 pneumonia in a single-kidney transplanted patient with mechanical ventilation and hemodialysis requirements in the setting of a cytokine storm. A rapid decrease in the serum level of inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, MCP-1 and IL-10, as well as of acute-phase reactants such as ferritin, D-dimer and C-reactive protein was observed after the IVIG infusion and methylprednisolone bolus administration with a parallel clinical improvement and progressive allograft function recovery, allowing the patient's final discharge 40 days after the treatment onset. The immunomodulatory effect of IVIG together with the anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive potential of steroids could be an alternative strategy to treat severe cases of Covid-19 pneumonia associated with an uncontrolled inflammatory response in transplanted populations.