Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Treatment With Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir

Effect of Sofosbuvir/Ledipasvir and Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir on Serum Creatinine

Background & objectives

There are reports of worsening renal functions with sofosbuvir, but there are no comparative data of different direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) on serum creatinine. In this retrospective cohort analysis, we examined the treatment effect of two commonly used regimens, sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (SOF/LDV) and glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB), on serum creatinine.

Methods

We included all patients treated with SOF/LDV (n = 825) and GLE/PIB (n = 116) between December 1, 2014, and December 31, 2018. An increase of serum creatinine ≥0.3 mg/dL was considered clinically significant. The change of creatinine values from pretreatment to posttreatment between two treatment groups was tested in unadjusted and adjusted generalized linear model, and risk factors associated with creatinine change were assessed. In addition, GLE/PIB-treated patients were matched 1:2 to SOF/LDV-treated patients using propensity scores, and then serum creatinine changes were compared.

Results

The mean baseline creatinine was higher in the GLE/PIB group vs. SOF/LDV group (1.39 ± 1.86 vs. 0.91 ± 0.24, P = 0.007). When compared to baseline, serum creatinine at posttreatment week 4 was significantly higher in SOF/LDV group (0.97 ± 0.4 vs.0.91 ± 0.24, P < 0.001), but there was no significant change in the GLE/PIB group (1.41 ± 1.73 vs. 1.39 ± 1.86, P = 0.52). Overall, there was no significant change in serum creatinine between posttreatment week 4 and week 24 (P = 0.6). Clinically significant increase in serum creatinine was seen in 6% (46/825) of SOF/LDV and 7% (8/116) of GLE/PIB (P = 0.6). The unadjusted and adjusted models indicated that the changes in creatinine from baseline to posttreatment week 4 and week 24 were not associated with the type of DAA combination.

Conclusion

Treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection with both SOF/LDV and GLE/PIB regimens may result in an increase of creatinine, and 6-7% will have an increase in serum creatinine of ≥0.3 mg/dL. The increase in creatinine, however, is unrelated to the type of DAA combination.

Histological and biochemical studies on effect of Sofosbuvir (Sovaldi) on adult male albino rat kidney

Sofosbuvir (sovaldi) is the backbone of many anti-HCV drugs. We aimed to demonstrate the effect of sofosbuvir on the adult male albino rat kidney. Sixty adult male albino rats were used. The animals were divided equally into 2 main groups (I and II), and each group was divided equally into 3 subgroups (A, B, and C). In group I (control group), each rat was gavaged 0.5 ml distilled water daily for 4 weeks. In group II (sofosbuvir treated group), each albino rat was gavaged 0.5 ml distilled water containing 7.2 mg sofosbuvir daily for 4 weeks. The rats were sacrificed at the end of the 4th week (subgroups IA and IIA), 6th week (subgroups IB and IIB), and 8th week (subgroups IC and IIC) from the start of the treatment. The kidneys were used for histological study while blood samples were used for biochemical study. The obtained data were statistically analyzed. Sofosbuvir (sovaldi) induced pathological changes that gave the criteria of acute Kidney injury in the adult male albino rats. The pathological changes were confirmed by elevation of serum level of urea and creatinine. After 2 and 4 weeks of drug withdrawal, the kidney incompletely recovered. We concluded that sofosbuvir induced criteria of acute tubular injury in the kidney of the adult male albino rats. This renal injury was proved by histological and biochemical studies. These insults were incompletely reversible after the end the treatment.

Hepatitis C infection and complication rates after total shoulder arthroplasty in United States veterans

Background

Few studies have evaluated the effect of hepatitis C (HCV) on primary total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). Our purpose was to determine if HCV infection is associated with increased complication rates after TSA in United States (US) veterans and, secondarily, to determine if preoperative HCV treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) affects postoperative complication rates.

Methods

US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) data sets were used to retrospectively identify patients without HCV, patients with untreated HCV, and patients with HCV treated with DAAs who underwent TSA from 2014 to 2019. Medical and surgical complications were assessed using International Classification of Diseases codes. Complication rates between patients with HCV (treated and untreated) and patients without HCV and between HCV-treated patients and HCV-untreated patients were compared at 90 days and 1 year after surgery.

Results

We identified 5774 primary TSAs that were performed at VA hospitals between 2014 and 2019. A minority (9.5%) of TSA patients had HCV, 23.4% of whom were treated preoperatively with DAAs. On multivariate analysis, HCV patients had increased odds of 1-year medical complications (odds ratio, 1.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.81, P = .016), when compared with patients without HCV. No statistically significant difference in complication rates was observed between HCV-treated and HCV-untreated patients.

Discussion

US veterans with a history of HCV are at an increased risk of developing medical but not surgical complications within the first year after TSA. Larger studies are necessary to evaluate the effects of DAA treatment on complication rates.

Incidence and risk factors of acute kidney injury, and its effect on mortality among Japanese patients receiving immune check point inhibitors: a single-center observational study

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPis) are associated with multi-organ immune-related adverse effects. Here, we examined the incidence rate, recovery rate, and risk factors of acute kidney injury complicated with ICPis (ICPi-AKI) and evaluted the association between ICPi-AKI and mortality in Japanese patients.

METHODS

We analyzed 152 consecutive patients receiving ICPis between 2015 and 2019. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for ICPi-AKI incidence and Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between ICPi-AKI and mortality.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 67 ± 10 years, with the median baseline serum creatinine level of 0.78 mg/dL. Twenty-seven patients (18%) developed ICPi-AKI, and 19 (73%) of them recovered. Pembrolizumab use and liver diseases were significant risk factors for the ICPi-AKI incidence. During the follow-up, 85 patients (59%) died, 17 patients (63%) with ICPi-AKI and 68 (54%) patients without ICPi-AKI, respectively. The ICPi-AKI incidence was not independently associated with mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence intervals, 0.46-1.61).

CONCLUSIONS

Our finding suggest that pembrolizumab use and liver diseases are associated with a higher risk of ICPi-AKI development, but ICPi-AKI did not affect mortality. Future multi-center studies are needed to develop optimal management and prevention strategies for this complication in patients receiving ICPis.

Mechanistic Aspects and Therapeutic Potential of Quercetin against COVID-19-Associated Acute Kidney Injury

The inflammatory mediator and oxidant agent storm caused by the SARS-CoV-2 infection has been strongly associated with the failure of vital organs observed in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the death of thousands of infected people around the world. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common renal disorder characterized by a sudden and sustained decrease in renal function with a critical influence on poor prognosis and lethal clinical outcomes of various etiologies, including some viral infection diseases. It is known that oxidative stress and inflammation play key roles in the pathogenesis and development of AKI. Quercetin is a natural substance that has multiple pharmacological properties, such as anti-inflammatory action, and is used as a dietary supplement. There is evidence of the anti-coronavirus activities of this compound, including against the target SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro. The ability to inhibit coronavirus and its inflammatory processes is strongly desired in a new drug for the treatment of COVID-19. Therefore, in this review, the dual effect of quercetin is discussed from a mechanistic perspective in relation to AKI kidney injury and its nephroprotective potential to SARS-CoV-2 patients.

Trends in Renal Function Among Heart Transplant Recipients of Donor-Derived Hepatitis C Virus

Donor-derived hepatitis C (dd-HCV) infection may increase the risk of renal impairment (RI) among heart transplantation (HT) recipients. Sofosbuvir, an integral component of HCV direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has also been linked to RI. To date, no study has examined the trends in renal function for HT recipients of dd-HCV infection and assessed safety and efficacy of Sofosbuvir-based DAAs. Between September 2016 and June 2018, 46 HCV-naive patients and one patient with a history of HCV treated pretransplant, underwent HT from HCV-positive donors (follow-up available through October 10, 2018). Patients were treated with Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir (genotype 1) or Sofosbuvir-Velpatasvir (genotype 3) for 12 or 24 weeks; no dose adjustments were made for renal function. Data on renal function were available for 23 patients who achieved a sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after the treatment (SVR12; cohort A) and 18 patients who completed 1 year of follow-up (cohort B). Treatment of dd-HCV infection was initiated at a median of 6 weeks post-HT. In both cohorts, a nonsignificant reduction in median estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; ml/min/1.73 m) was noted (cohort A: pretransplant eGFR: 62 [interquartile range {IQR}: 1-84] to SVR12 eGFR: 49 [IQR: 37-82]; p = 0.43; cohort B: pretransplant eGFR: 65 [IQR: 54-84] to 1 year post-HT eGFR: 56 [IQR: 39-75]; p = 0.29). Pretreatment renal function had no significant impact on changes in renal function during treatment. All patients tolerated DAAs well with 100% completion rate to the assigned therapy and duration and 100% success at achieving SVR12. In this first and largest reported case series to date of HT recipients with dd-HCV infection, we observed that neither the dd-HCV infection nor its treatment with Sofosbuvir-based DAAs increased the risk of RI. Sofosbuvir-based DAAs appear safe, tolerable, and effective for HCV treatment even in presence of severe RI.

Long-term follow-up of HCV infected kidney transplant recipients receiving direct-acting antiviral agents: a single-center experience in China

Background

Long-term outcome of DAAs therapy in kidney transplant recipients was unknown. Thus, we aimed to evaluate it in a Chinese cohort of HCV-infected kidney transplant recipients.

Methods

Single-center and retrospective study of HCV-infected kidney transplant recipients initiating an DAAs regimen between January 2015 and December 2017 was conducted. Totally 26 KTX recipients were divided into three groups, including KTX-HD Group, DAA-KTX Group and KTX-DAA Group. On-treatment response was defined as target not detected within 12 weeks. SVR 48, 96 were defined as HCV-RNA negativity 48, 96 weeks after treatment cessation, respectively.

Results

HCV genotype was predominantly 1b (80.8%), followed by 2a. All (100%) patients achieved on-treatment response. Time to first TnD was 1.9 ± 0.6 weeks, with no significant difference among the three groups. All patients achieved SVR, with an SVR rate of 100.0% (26/26) among the patients who were followed up over 48 weeks after treatment cessation, and the same SVR rate (24/24) among the patients who were followed up over 96 weeks. Trough levels of Tac remained stable under DAAs therapy, without any dose adjustment. Two patients with abnormal GFR before treatment experienced serum creatinine elevation. Other adverse events included nausea, diarrhea, acid regurgitation, bilirubin elevation and edema of lower limbs. All patients recovered after treatment cessation without reductions in dose, or withdrawal of DAAs or immunosuppressive agents.

Conclusions

HCV genotype 1b and 2a are the only genotypes and 1b is predominant in our center. Antiviral treatment with DAAs in HCV-infected kidney transplant recipients is persistently effective and well tolerated during long-term follow-up. A regular monitoring of renal function in patients who receive DAAs regimens with preexisting impaired renal function is strongly recommended. Furthermore, the trough CNIs levels were recommended to be frequently monitored.

Preoperative Treatment of Hepatitis C Is Associated With Lower Prosthetic Joint Infection Rates in US Veterans

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with poorer outcomes in total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Recently, oral direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have become available for HCV curative treatment. The goal of this study is to determine if HCV may be a modifiable risk factor in TJA by comparing postoperative complications among patients with and without preoperative treatment for HCV.

METHODS

US Department of Veterans Affairs dataset of all consecutive primary TJAs performed between 2014 and 2018, when DAAs were available, was retrospectively reviewed. HCV-infected patients were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revision codes and laboratory values. HCV-infected patients treated prior to TJA with DAA were included in the "treated" group. HCV-infected patients untreated preoperatively were assigned to the "untreated" group. Medical and surgical complications up to 1 year postoperatively were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revision inpatient and outpatient codes.

RESULTS

In total, 42,268 patients underwent TJA at Veterans Affairs Hospitals between 2014 and 2018. About 6.0% (n = 2557) of TJA patients had HCV, 17.3% of whom received HCV treatment preoperatively. When evaluating inpatient and outpatient codes, implant infection rates were statistically lower at 90 days and 1 year postoperatively among HCV-treated patients than among those untreated. Odds ratios (ORs) favor lower infection rates in HCV-treated patients (90-day OR: 3.30, P = .045; 1-year OR: 2.16, P = .07).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative HCV treatment was associated with lower periprosthetic infection rates among US veterans undergoing TJA. Further investigation is necessary for definitive conclusions.