Renal involvement in COVID-19: focus on kidney transplant sector

Sagnelli, Caterina; Sica, Antonello; Gallo, Monica; Peluso, Gaia; Varlese, Filippo; D’Alessandro, Vincenzo; Ciccozzi, Massimo; Crocetto, Felice; Garofalo, Carlo; Fiorelli, Alfonso; Iannuzzo, Gabriella; Reginelli, Alfonso; Schonauer, Fabrizo; Santangelo, Michele; Sagnelli, Evangelista; Creta, Massimiliano; Calogero, Armando

INTRODUCTION: Kidney transplant recipients and patients on the waiting list for kidney transplant who acquire SARS-CoV-2 infection are at serious risk of developing severe COVID-19, with an increased risk of mortality for the their immunosuppressive state; other risk factors for mortality have been identified in some comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes, asthma and chronic lung disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a sharp reduction in kidney transplants in most countries, mainly due to the concern of patients on the waiting list for their potential increased susceptibility to acquire SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare facilities and for the difficulties of transplant centers to ensure full activity as hospitals have had to focus most of their attention on COVID-19 patients. Indeed, while the infection curve continued its exponential rise, there was a vertical decline in kidney donation/transplant activity. CONCLUSION: This review article focuses on the damage induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection on kidney and on the adverse effect of this pandemic on the entire kidney transplant sector.