Introduction
Covid 19 is a pandemic which has lead to global health crisis. The clinical presentation of COVID 19 may range from asymptomatic carrier to a severe ARDS and also with multisystem involvement. Among patient with renal transplants who are under immunosuppressive medicines covid 19 infection may manifest as a comparatively more severe disease compared to immunocompetent patients. So management of these patients needs to be clear in order to control the infection and at the same time prevent the graft loss which is common after reducing dose of immunosuppression drugs.
Methods
This is a descriptive cross sectional study done in the tertiary care hospital, NIMS located in Hyderabad, Telengana, India. The study period was from April 2020 to May 2021. All renal transplant patients diagnosed to have COVID positive by either Rapid antigen testing, RT PCR or HRCT(Typical of COVID-19) who were admitted to our hospital were taken in to the study. Post admission all necessary investigations were sent and data collected. People who had mild symptoms have been followed up in OPD basis, reports collected and analyzed. Patient who recovered were also followed up for next few weeks to look for long term complications of COVID-19. Total of 36 patients were included in the study.
Results
Among 36 patients who were in the study the average age group was 27 years. 32 patients were male(88%)and 4 patients were female(12%). 9 patients were deceased donor renal transplant and 27 patients were live related renal transplant patients. 11% patients had severe disease and needed mechanical ventilation. 14 % had moderate disease. CT was CORADS 4/5 in patients with severe disease. 3patients who had severe disease expired. 6 out of 36 patients had decline in graft function during the illness.
Conclusions
Covid 19 is as such a serious medical illness. The high dose immunosupression medications in renal transplant patients has definitely made these patients more susceptible to severe illness, higher mortality rates compared to the general public.
No conflict of interest