SARS-CoV-2 infection associated acute kidney injury in patients with pre-existing chronic renal disease: A report of two cases

Abstract

Background: The 2019 novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]) is driving a novel atypical pneumonia (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) outbreak in Wuhan, causing huge public health challenges both in China and globally. Limited data are available for information and prognosis on COVID-19 patients with pre-existing chronic kidney disease. Case presentation: Here we described the clinical characteristics and outcomes from two patients—a female aged 40-year-old and an 83-year-old male—who were subjected to SARS-CoV-2 infection, with history of chronic renal insufficiency. The female was admitted for dry cough and shortness of breath and the male was admitted for fever. The thorax computed tomography revealed patchy consolidation and ground-glass opacity in both scattered lobes and the throat swab sample for coronavirus nucleic acid was positive. They were diagnosed with COVID-19 and their renal function became progressively worse after infection with COVID-19. After symptomatic support treatment, in both the patients, renal function was obviously restored, and both recovered from this pneumonia and conformed to the discharge criteria. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 infection may aggravate renal function impairment. It is crucial to monitor changes of renal function in patients with COVID-19, especially those with primary kidney disease. Kidney protection interventions should be taken as early as possible, thereby improving the prognosis of patients with COVID-19.