Consequences of the first and second COVID-19 wave on kidney transplant recipients at a large Indian transplant centre

Abstract

Background: There is a scarcity of data comparing the consequences of first and second COVID-19 waves on kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) in India. Methods: We conducted a single-centre retrospective study of 259 KTRs with COVID-19 to compare first wave (March 15–December 31 2020, n = 157) and second wave (April 1–May 31 2021, n = 102). Results: KTRs during second wave were younger (43 vs. 40 years; p-value.04) and also included paediatric patients (0 vs. 5.9%; p-value.003). Symptoms were milder during the second wave (45 vs. 62.7%; p-value.007); COVID-19 positive patients had less frequent cough (32 vs. 13.8%; p-value.001), fever was less frequent (58 vs. 37%; p-value.001), and we observed fewer co-morbidities (11 vs. 20.6%; p-value.04). The percentages of neutrophils (77 vs. 83%; p-value.001) and serum ferritin (439 vs. 688; p-value.0006) were higher during second wave, while lymphocyte counts were reduced (20 vs. 14%; p-value.0001). Hydroxychloroquine (11 vs. 0%; p-value.0001) and tocilizumab (7 vs. 0%; p-value.004) were more frequently prescribed during first wave, while utilization of dexamethasone (6 vs. 27%; p-value.0001) and remdesivir (47 vs. 65%; p-value.03) increased during the second wave. Mucormycosis (1.3 vs. 10%; p-value.01) and ICU admissions (20 vs. 37.2%; p-value.002) were more frequent during second wave. The 28-day mortality rate (9.6 vs. 10%; p-value 1) was not different. Conclusions: There has been a different clinical spectrum of COVID-19 amongst KTR with similar mortality between the two waves at a large Indian transplant centre.