Características de pacientes con SARS-CoV-2 en estado crítico en un centro COVID-19 de referencia en Uruguay

Introducción: la pandemia de COVID-19 produjo una alta mortalidad en el mundo. Sin embargo, las presentaciones más críticas de la enfermedad han sido poco caracterizadas en nuestra región. Objetivo: estudiar la presentación clínica, evolución y mortalidad en pacientes ingresados en la unidad de medicina intensiva de un centro COVID-19 de referencia. Pacientes y método: estudio clínico, prospectivo, observacional de SARS-CoV-2 durante las primeras etapas de la pandemia en Uruguay. Se definió mortalidad en unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) como desenlace primario. Resultados: en 274 pacientes, la edad mediana fue de 65 años (IQR 54-73), el sexo masculino representó el 57% y el índice de Charlson tuvo una mediana de 3 (IQR 2-5). La mortalidad en UCI fue 59,9%. Las principales causas de muerte fueron: hipoxemia refractaria, disfunción orgánica múltiple y shock refractario. La edad (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1,06; IC de 95% 1,03 - 1,09), ocupación de camas (OR = 1,04, IC 95%: 1,02 - 1,07), sexo masculino (OR = 2,14, IC 95%: 0,93 - 5,06), ventilación mecánica invasiva (OR = 51,7, IC 95%: 16,5 - 208,6), coinfección al ingreso (OR = 2,34, IC 95%: 0,88 - 6,77) y enfermedad renal crónica previa (OR = 13,1, IC 95%: 2,29 - 129,2) fueron predictores independientes de mortalidad. La primera ola de la pandemia se produjo por la circulación de las variantes P.6 y P.1 del coronavirus, en una población con muy bajo porcentaje de vacunación (8%). Conclusiones: estos resultados en pacientes críticos aportan una descripción detallada del impacto de la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 en un centro de referencia y constituyen una base para enfrentar futuros eventos epidémicos.

Introduction: COVID-19 has caused high mortality worldwide. However, the most critical presentations of the disease have been poorly characterized in our region. Objective: to study the clinical presentation, progression, and mortality in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a COVID-19 Reference Center. Patients and methods: clinical, prospective, observational study of SARS-CoV-2 during the early stages of the pandemic in Uruguay. ICU mortality was defined as the primary outcome. Results: in 274 patients, the median age was 65 years (IQR 54-73), male gender accounted for 57%, and the Charlson Index was 3 (IQR 2-5). ICU mortality was 59.9%. The main causes of death were refractory hypoxemia, multiple organ dysfunction, and refractory shock. Age (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.06; 95% CI 1.03 - 1.09), bed occupancy (OR= 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02 -1.07), male gender (OR= 2.14, 95% CI 0.93 - 5.06), invasive mechanical ventilation (OR= 51.7, 95% CI 16.5 - 208.6), coinfection at admission (OR= 2.34, 95% CI 0.88 - 6.77), and pre-existing chronic kidney disease (OR= 13.1, 95% CI 2.29 - 129.2) were independent predictors of mortality. The first wave of the pandemic was driven by the circulation of the P.6 and P.1 variants of the coronavirus in a population with a very low vaccination percentage (8%). Conclusions: these results in critical patients provide a detailed description of the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in a reference center and serve as a foundation for addressing future epidemic events.

Introdução: a COVID-19 causou alta morbimortalidade em todo o mundo, embora as formas graves da doença tenham sido pouco caracterizadas nos países da América Latina. Objetivos: analisar o quadro clínico, a evolução e a mortalidade em pacientes com COVID-19 atendidos em uma unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI) em um Centro de Referência. Métodos: Estudo clínico, prospectivo e observacional de pacientes com SARS-CoV-2 durante a primeira onda da pandemia no Uruguai. A mortalidade na UTI foi o resultado primário. Resultados: oram estudados 274 pacientes, com uma mediada de idade de 65 anos (IQR 54-73), sendo a maioria do sexo masculino (57%). O índice de Charlson foi de 3 (IQR 2-5). A mortalidade geral na UTI foi de 59,9%. As principais causas de morte foram hipoxemia refratária, disfunção orgânica múltipla e choque refratário. A idade (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1,06; IC 95% 1,03-1,09), ocupação de leitos (OR = 1,04; IC 95%: 1,02-1,07), sexo masculino (OR = 2,14; IC 95%: 0,93-5,06), ventilação mecânica invasiva (OR = 51,7; IC 95%: 16,5-208,6), coinfecção na admissão (OR = 2,34; IC 95%: 0,88-6,77) e doença renal crônica pré-existente (OR = 13,1; IC 95%: 2,29-129,2) foram preditores independentes de mortalidade. A primeira onda da pandemia foi impulsionada pela circulação das variantes P.6 e P.1 do SARS-CoV-2 em uma população com uma taxa de vacinação muito baixa (8%). Conclusões: esses resultados em pacientes críticos fornecem uma descrição detalhada do impacto da pandemia SARS-CoV-2 em um Centro de Referência e constituem uma base para o enfrentamento de futuros eventos epidêmicos.

What have we learned from a case of convalescent plasma treatment in a two-time kidney transplant recipient COVID-19 patient? A case report from the perspective of viral load evolution and immune response.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, can have a wide range of clinical manifestations, ranging from asymptomatic disease to potentially life-threatening complications. Convalescent plasma therapy has been proposed as an effective alternative for the treatment of severe cases. The aim of this study was to follow a two-time renal transplant patient with severe COVID-19 treated with convalescent plasma over time from an immunologic and virologic perspective. A 42-year-old female patient, who was a two-time kidney transplant recipient, was hospitalized with COVID-19. Due to worsening respiratory symptoms, she was admitted to the intensive care unit, where she received two doses of convalescent plasma. We analyzed the dynamics of viral load in nasopharyngeal swab, saliva, and tracheal aspirate samples, before and after convalescent plasma transfusion. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and antibody titers were also measured in serum samples. A significant decrease in viral load was observed after treatment in the saliva and nasopharyngeal swab samples, and a slight decrease was observed in tracheal aspirate samples. In addition, we found evidence of an increase in antibody titers after transfusion, accompanied by a decrease in the levels of several cytokines responsible for cytokine storm.

Compromiso renal en pacientes con COVID-19 severa y crítica / Kidney involvement in patients with severe and critical COVID-19 / Comprometimento renal em pacientes com COVID-19 grave e crítico

Introducción: la injuria renal aguda fue una complicación observada en forma frecuente en los pacientes críticos durante la pandemia por COVID-19. Objetivos: 1) determinar la incidencia de injuria renal aguda asociada a COVID-19 severa y crítica; 2) determinar la implicancia pronóstica en términos de morbimortalidad del compromiso renal. Materiales y métodos: estudio prospectivo, observacional y analítico de una cohorte de pacientes con COVID-19 severa y crítica ingresados a la Unidad de Medicina Intensiva del Hospital Español. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo y analítico (univariado y mutivariado) y se empleo un nivel estadístico de significación menor a 0,05. Resultados: n=233 pacientes con COVID-19 severa y crítica ingresados a la Unidad de Medicina Intensiva del Hospital Español entre 9/20 y 5/21. Injuria renal aguda asociada a COVID-19: 47,9% (107/233), injuria renal aguda severa (estadios KDIGO 2 y 3): 79,4% (85/107), injuria renal aguda nosocomial: 47,7% (52/107), enfermedad renal aguda: 41,1% (44/107), requerimiento de técnica de reemplazo renal: 29,9% (32/107). La mortalidad al alta de medicina intensiva en pacientes con injuria renal aguda: 72,9% (78/107) versus sin injuria renal aguda: 48,4% (61/126) (p=0,000). El análisis multivariado mostró como factor predictivo protectivo de riesgo de muerte al alta de medicina intensiva a la función renal normal al egreso (OR 0,055, IC 95%: 0,014-0,213, p= 0,000). Conclusiones: la incidencia de injuria renal aguda asociada a COVID-19 en medicina intensiva fue elevada, con un predominio de estadios 2-3 y se asoció con una mortalidad significativamente mayor. La normalización de la función renal se comportó como un factor predictivo protectivo de riesgo de muerte. El grado de soporte multiorgánico se asoció con un aumento progresivo de la mortalidad.

Introduction: acute renal injury was a frequently observed complication in critical patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: 1) to determine the incidence of acute renal injury associated to severe and critical COVID-19; 2) to determine prognostic implications in terms of mobimortality of renal involvement. Method: prospective, observational and analytical study of a cohort of patients with severe and critical COVID-19 who were hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit at Hospital Español. A descriptive and analytical study (single and multivariate) was performed using statistical significance level lower than 0.05. Results: there were 233 patients with severe and critical COVID-19 hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit at Hospital Español between September 9 and May 21. Acute renal injury associated to COVID-19: 47.9% (107/233), severe acute renal injury (stages KDIGO 2 and 3): 79.4% (85/107), nosocomial acute renal injury: 47.7% (52/107), acute renal injury: 41.1% (44/107), renal replacement techniques requirement: 29.9% (32/107). Mortality upon discharge from Intensive Medicine in patients with acute renal injury was 72.9% (78/107), versus absence of acute renal injury: 48.4% (62/ 126)(p=.000). The multivariate analysis showed normal renal function upon discharge from hospital was the protective predictive factor for death upon discharge from Intensive Medicine (OR .055, IC 95%: 213-. 014/000). Conclusions: incidence of acute renal injury associated to COVID-19 was high in Intensive Medicine, with predominance of stages 2-3, and it was related to a significantly higher mortality. Normalization of renal function was a protective predictive factor for the risk of death. The degree of multi-organ support was associated to a progressive increase of mortality.

Introdução: a lesão renal aguda foi uma complicação frequentemente observada em pacientes críticos durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Objetivos: 1) determinar a incidência de lesão renal aguda associada à COVID-19 grave e crítica; 2-determinar a implicação prognóstica em termos de morbilidade e mortalidade do envolvimento renal. Materiais e métodos: estudo prospectivo, observacional e analítico de uma coorte de pacientes com COVID-19 grave e crítico internados na Unidade de Medicina Intensiva do Hospital Espanhol. Realizou-se análise descritiva e analítica (uni e multivariada) e um nível de significância estatística inferior a 0,05. Resultados: 233 pacientes com COVID-19 grave e crítico foram internados na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva do Hospital Espanhol entre 20 de setembro de 2020 e 21 de maio de 2021. Observou-se lesão renal aguda associada a COVID-19: 47,9 % (107/233), lesão renal aguda grave (KDIGO estágios 2 e 3): 79,4% (85/107), lesão renal aguda nosocomial: 47,7% (52/107), doença renal aguda: 41,1% (44/107), necessidade de técnica de substituição renal: 29,9% (32/107). A mortalidade na alta da terapia intensiva foi de 72,9% (78/107) em pacientes com lesão renal aguda versus 48,4% (61/126) sem lesão renal aguda com ( p= ,000). A análise multivariada mostrou função renal normal na alta como preditor protetor de risco de morte na alta da Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (OR 0,055, IC 95%: 0,014-0,213, p= 0,000). Conclusões: a incidência de lesão renal aguda associada à COVID-19 em terapia intensiva foi alta, com predominância dos estágios 2-3, e foi associada a mortalidade significativamente maior. A normalização da função renal comportou-se como um preditor protetor de risco de morte. O grau de suporte multiorgânico foi associado a um aumento progressivo da mortalidade.

Renal histopathology in critically ill patients with Septic Acute Kidney Injury(S-AKI).

PURPOSE: To describe the kidney histopathology of patients with S-AKI and correlate the histological findings with AKI severity, presence of septic shock, and the degree of multiple organic dysfunction (MOD) using the SOFA score. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, observational, and analytical study of a cohort of critically ill patients with S-AKI who died from sepsis at the "Hospital Español" intensive care unit (ICU). Kidney necropsies were performed within 2 h after death. RESULTS: We considered twenty (20) patients, with all of them exhibiting S-AKI stage 3 at the same time. In renal histopathology analysis, nonspecific tubulointerstitial (TI) lesions were found in almost all patients (95%). The more frequently found nonspecific TI lesions involved leukocyte infiltration (85%). Necrotic TI lesions were found in 6 patients (30%), and necrotic tubular cell casts were the most frequent lesions (50% of patients). It was not possible to demonstrate an association between the presence of necrotic TI lesions and factors such as the APACHE II score, the global SOFA score, ICU stays, AKI length and renal replacement therapy (RRT). CONCLUSIONS: The main histopathological findings in kidney necropsies in patients with S-AKI KDIGO 3, showed nonspecific TI lesions, and TI necrosis was only observed in 30% of the cases; therefore, S-AKI cannot be considered to be synonymous with acute tubular necrosis (ATN).