Use and Safety of Remdesivir in Kidney Transplant Recipients With COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: Remdesivir has demonstrated antiviral activity against coronavirus, shortening the time to recovery in adults hospitalized with moderate/severe COVID-19. Severe adverse events such as acute kidney injury have been reported. Scant data are available on the use and safety of remdesivir in kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: We present a multicenter cohort study of 51 kidney transplant recipients with COVID-19 treated with remdesivir. Outcomes and safety were assessed. RESULTS: Mean age at diagnosis was 60 years, with a median time since kidney transplant of 4.5 years. Mean time since admission to remdesivir was 2 days. Twenty-eight patients (54.9%) required mechanical ventilation (19 noninvasive). Mortality was 18.9% and markedly higher if aged ≥65 years (45% vs. 3.2% in younger patients). Acute kidney injury was present in 27.7% of patients, but was diagnosed in 50% before treatment. No patients required remdesivir discontinuation because of adverse events. We did not find significant hepatoxicity or systemic symptoms resulting from the drug. CONCLUSION: In our cohort of kidney transplant recipients, remdesivir was well tolerated and safe in renal and hepatic toxicity, but randomized trials are needed to assess its efficacy.

COVID-19: clinical course and outcomes of 36 hemodialysis patients in Spain.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Unfortunately, there is a lack of evidence about the optimal management of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and even less is available in patients on maintenance hemodialysis therapy than in the general population. In this retrospective, observational, single-center study, we analyzed the clinical course and outcomes of all maintenance hemodialysis patients hospitalized with COVID-19 from March 12th to April 10th, 2020 as confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Baseline features, clinical course, laboratory data, and different therapies were compared between survivors and nonsurvivors to identify risk factors associated with mortality. Among the 36 patients, 11 (30.5%) died, and 7 were able to be discharged within the observation period. Clinical and radiological evolution during the first week of admission were predictive of mortality. Among the 36 patients, 18 had worsening of their clinical status, as defined by severe hypoxia with oxygen therapy requirements greater than 4 L/min and radiological worsening. Significantly, 11 of those 18 patients (61.1%) died. None of the classical cardiovascular risk factors in the general population were associated with higher mortality. Compared to survivors, nonsurvivors had significantly longer dialysis vintage, increased lactate dehydrogenase (490 U/l ± 120 U/l vs. 281 U/l ± 151 U/l, P = 0.008) and C-reactive protein levels (18.3 mg/dl ± 13.7 mg/dl vs. 8.1 mg/dl ± 8.1 mg/dl, P = 0.021), and a lower lymphocyte count (0.38 ×103/µl ± 0.14 ×103/µl vs. 0.76 ×103/µl ± 0.48 ×103/µl, P = 0.04) 1 week after clinical onset. Thus, the mortality among hospitalized hemodialysis patients diagnosed with COVID-19 is high. Certain laboratory tests can be used to predict a worsening clinical course.

Enfermedad invasiva por Streptococcus pyogenes: cambios en la incidencia y factores pronósticos / Invasive disease due to Streptococcus pyogenes: Changes in incidence and prognostic factors

Introducción: La enfermedad invasiva por Streptococcus del grupo A (EISGA) es una infección grave en niños, habiéndose comunicado un aumento de incidencia en los últimos años. Objetivo: Evaluar las características y evolución de la EISGA en niños y determinar cambios en la incidencia o gravedad. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de niños ≤ 16 años evaluados en un hospital terciario pediátrico de Madrid y diagnosticados de EISGA (junio 2005-julio 2013). Se analizó la epidemiología, clínica, microbiología y tratamiento, evaluándose cambios a lo largo del periodo estudiado y parámetros asociados a gravedad. Resultados: Se incluyeron 55 niños con EISGA; 33 (60%) mujeres, con una mediana de 48,5 (20,5-88,9) meses. Los síndromes clínicos más frecuentes fueron celulitis/absceso subcutáneo (21,8%), absceso ORL (20%), neumonía (16,4%), infección osteoarticular (16,4%) y mastoiditis (12,7%). La incidencia de EISGA (casos/105 urgencias/año) aumentó de 5,6 (4,2-7,2) entre junio 2005-mayo 2009 a 18,9 (15,1-26) entre junio 2009-mayo 2013; p = 0,057. El 63,6% (n = 35) y el 18,2% (n = 10) de los pacientes precisaron cirugía e ingreso en UCIP, respectivamente. Los niños en UCIP fueron más pequeños (26,5 vs. 52,6 meses; p = 0,116), presentaron proteína C reactiva más elevada (24,5 vs. 10,7 mg/dl; p < 0,001) y mayor frecuencia de neumonía (60 vs. 7%; p < 0,001). En el análisis multivariante solo la proteína C reactiva fue factor de riesgo de ingreso en UCIP (OR: 1,14 [1,004-1,286]; p = 0,04). No hubo secuelas. Conclusiones: Se objetivó un aumento de la incidencia de EISGA en niños en nuestro medio, siendo la menor edad, la presencia de neumonía y la proteína C reactiva elevada los parámetros asociados a gravedad en esta serie

Introduction: Invasive group A streptococcal disease (iGASD) is a serious infection in children. Several studies have shown an increased incidence in the past years. Objective: To evaluate the characteristics and outcome of iGASD in children, and to determine changes in incidence or severity. Material and methods: A retrospective study was conducted on children ≤ 16 years evaluated in a tertiary paediatric hospital in Madrid, and diagnosed with iGASD (June 2005-July 2013). An analysis was made of the demographics, symptomatology, microbiology, and treatment. The changes throughout the period studied were evaluated, as well as parameters associated with disease severity. Results: The study included a total of 55 children with iGASD, with 33 (60%) females, and a median age of 48.5 (20.5-88.9) months. The most frequent clinical syndromes were cellulitis/subcutaneous abscess (21.8%), ENT abscess (20%), pneumonia (16.4%), osteoarticular infection (16.4%), and mastoiditis (12.7%). The incidence of iGASD (cases/105 emergencies/year) increased from 5.6 (4.2-7.2) between June 2005-May 2009 to 18.9 (15.1-26) between June 2009-May 2013; P = .057. Surgery and admission to PICU was required by 35 (63.6%) and 10 (18.2%) patients, respectively. Children in PICU were younger (26.5 vs 52.6 months, P = .116), had a higher C-reactive protein (24.5 vs 10.7 mg/dl, P < .001) and higher frequency of pneumonia (60 vs 7%, P < .001). In the multivariate analysis, only C-reactive protein was a risk factor for admission to PICU (OR: 1.14 [1.004-1.286], P = .04). There were no sequelae. Conclusions: An increased incidence of iGASD was observed in the children in this study. Lower age, pneumonia, and higher C-reactive protein were associated with disease severity in this series

[Invasive disease due to Streptococcus pyogenes: Changes in incidence and prognostic factors]. / Enfermedad invasiva por Streptococcus pyogenes: cambios en la incidencia y factores pronósticos.

INTRODUCTION: Invasive group A streptococcal disease (iGASD) is a serious infection in children. Several studies have shown an increased incidence in the past years. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the characteristics and outcome of iGASD in children, and to determine changes in incidence or severity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on children≤16 years evaluated in a tertiary paediatric hospital in Madrid, and diagnosed with iGASD (June 2005-July 2013). An analysis was made of the demographics, symptomatology, microbiology, and treatment. The changes throughout the period studied were evaluated, as well as parameters associated with disease severity. RESULTS: The study included a total of 55 children with iGASD, with 33 (60%) females, and a median age of 48.5 (20.5-88.9) months. The most frequent clinical syndromes were cellulitis/subcutaneous abscess (21.8%), ENT abscess (20%), pneumonia (16.4%), osteoarticular infection (16.4%), and mastoiditis (12.7%). The incidence of iGASD (cases/105 emergencies/year) increased from 5.6 (4.2-7.2) between June 2005-May 2009 to 18.9 (15.1-26) between June 2009-May 2013; P=.057. Surgery and admission to PICU was required by 35 (63.6%) and 10 (18.2%) patients, respectively. Children in PICU were younger (26.5 vs 52.6 months, P=.116), had a higher C-reactive protein (24.5 vs 10.7mg/dl, P<.001) and higher frequency of pneumonia (60 vs 7%, P<.001). In the multivariate analysis, only C-reactive protein was a risk factor for admission to PICU (OR: 1.14 [1.004-1.286], P=.04). There were no sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: An increased incidence of iGASD was observed in the children in this study. Lower age, pneumonia, and higher C-reactive protein were associated with disease severity in this series.