RESUMO
RESUMEN Objetivos: Evaluar frecuencia de hisopado, casos positivos y tasa de letalidad por SARS-CoV-2 en pacientes trasplantados, en lista de espera o en evaluación en un Hospital Público de la Argentina. Material y métodos: Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo de los pacientes de la unidad (trasplantados, en lista de espera o en evaluación para trasplante) hasta el 30 de septiembre de 2020. Se buscó en forma individualizada cada paciente en el SINTRA, en bases de datos de pacientes de una unidad de trasplante y en el sistema SISA, para buscar: realización de hisopados, porcentaje de positividad de los mismos, mortalidad general y aquella vinculada a SARS-CoV-2. Se consideró edad, sexo, tiempo en diálisis, condición de diabético, hipertensión y enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica. Se realizó análisis estadístico mediante Student, Mann Whitney y Chi cuadrado según correspondiere. Resultados: Durante 2020, estuvieron en seguimiento, en la Unidad de Trasplante Renal, un total de 1513 pacientes entre trasplantados renales en seguimiento (n=515), pacientes en lista de espera renal (n= 413) y pacientes en evaluación para trasplante (n=585). Se registraron un total de 103 casos positivos de COVID-19, sobre 477 hisopados realizados (positividad del 32,51%). La tasa de letalidad global fue del 21,88%, variando según el paciente estuviera en lista de espera (22,73%), en evaluación de trasplante (30%) o trasplantado (35,48%). Estas diferencias no alcanzaron significación estadística. Conclusiones: Se presenta un análisis descriptivo de los efectos de la pandemia sobre nuestra población. Es importante notar que nuestro centro atiende un porcentaje elevado de pacientes de bajos recursos y un área geográfica extensa, por lo cual los resultados pueden haber sido sesgados por estas características. En nuestra población trasplantada se observó un incremento de 10 veces la letalidad observada en la población general. La presencia de un mayor grado de inmunosupresión y factores de riesgo (diabetes, edad, hipertensión) podrían explicar lo observado.
ABSTRACT Objectives: Assess frequency of swabbing, positive and lethality rate cases of SARS-CoV-2 in transplant patients on the waiting list or evaluation in a Public Hospital of Argentina. Methods: A retrospective analysis was carried out of the patients in the unit (transplanted, on the waiting list or under evaluation for transplantation) until September 30, 2020. Each patient was searched individually in the SINTRA, in databases of patients of a transplant unit and in the SISA system, to find: swabbing, percentage of tests positivity, general mortality and that related to SARS-CoV-2. Age, sex, time on dialysis, diabetic condition, hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were considered. Statistical analysis was performed using Student, Mann Whitney and Chi square as appropriate. Results: During 2020, a total of 1,513 patients were under follow-up in the Kidney Transplant Unit, including kidney transplants under follow-up (n=515), patients on the renal waiting list (n=413) and patients under evaluation for transplantation (n=585). A total of 103 positive cases of COVID-19 were registered, out of 477 swabs performed (positivity of 32.51%). The overall case fatality rate was of the 21.88%, varying according to the patient was on the waiting list (22.73%) in transplant evaluation (30%) or transplanted (35.48%). These differences did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: A descriptive analysis of the effects of the pandemic on our population is presented. It is important to note that our center cares for a high percentage of low-income patients and a large geographic area, so the results may have been biased by these characteristics. In our transplanted population, a 10-fold increase in mortality observed in the general population was observed. The presence of a higher degree of immunosuppression and risk factors (diabetes, age, hypertension) could explain what was observed.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The 2009 novel influenza A/H1N1 virus pandemic did not spare solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. We aimed to describe the behavior of pandemic influenza infection in a group of SOT recipients in Argentina. METHODS: Data from 10 transplant (Tx) centers were retrospectively collected for SOT that presented with a respiratory illness compatible with pandemic influenza A infection, between May and September 2009. Cases were defined as suspected, probable, or confirmed according to diagnostic method. RESULTS: Seventy-seven cases were included. No significant differences in presenting symptoms, pulmonary infiltrates, and graft involvement were found among 35 suspected, 19 probable, and 23 confirmed cases. The 33 ambulatory cases had significantly more sore throat and headache when compared with 34 cases admitted to medical ward (MW) and 10 admitted to intensive care unit (ICU), 9 of whom required ventilatory support. MW and ICU cases had significantly more dyspnea, hypoxemia, pulmonary infiltrates, and graft dysfunction. Time from onset of symptoms to first visit and to treatment was significantly longer in MW and ICU cases (P=0.008). Coinfections were found in six cases. Most cases received oseltamivir for 5 to 10 days. Six patients (7.8%) died from viral infection at a median of 15 days from admission. No differences in outcome were seen related to the transplanted organ, the immunosuppressive regimen, time from Tx, or confirmation of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality is higher in Tx recipients than in the general population. Poor outcome seems to be related to a delay in the beginning of treatment.