Acute Kidney Injury and Kidney Damage in COVID-19 Patients

The Time-Varying Impact of COVID-19 on the Acute Kidney Disorders: A Historical Matched Cohort Study and Mendelian Randomization Analysis

Background: This study aimed to explore the time-varying impact of COVID-19 on acute kidney disorders, including acute kidney injury and other acute kidney diseases. Methods: From the UK Biobank, 10,121 participants with COVID-19 were matched with up to 3 historically unexposed controls by age, sex, Townsend deprivation index, and the status of hospitalization or receiving critical care. We investigated the association between COVID-19 and incidence of acute kidney disorders, within the first 4 weeks after infection, using conditional and time-varying Cox proportional hazard regression. In addition, one-sample Mendelian randomization, utilizing the polygenic risk score for COVID-19 as an instrumental variable, was conducted to explore the potential causality of the association. Results: In the matched cohort study, we observed a significant association between COVID-19 and acute kidney disorders predominantly within the first 3 weeks. The impact of COVID-19 was time dependent, peaking in the second week (hazard ratio, 12.77; 95% confidence interval, 5.93 to 27.70) and decreasing by the fourth week (hazard ratio, 2.28; 95% confidence interval, 0.75 to 6.93). In subgroup analyses, only moderate to severe COVID-19 cases were associated with acute worsening of renal function in a time-dependent pattern. One-sample Mendelian randomization analyses further showed that COVID-19 might exert a "short-term" causal effect on the risk of acute kidney disorders, primarily confined to the first week after infection. Conclusions: The risk of acute kidney disorders following COVID-19 demonstrates a time-varying pattern. Hazard effects were observed only in patients with moderate or severe but not mild COVID-19.

Proximal tubular dysfunction as a predictor of AKI in Hospitalized COVID-19 patients

BACKGROUND

High concentration of Angiotensin converting enzyme receptors in the proximal tubules make kidneys an early target in COVID-19. Proximal tubular dysfunction (PTD) may act as an early predictor of acute kidney injury (AKI) and more severe disease.

METHODS

This prospective observational study was conducted in the COVID unit, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. 87 COVID-19 patients without known kidney disease were screened for 6 markers of PTD on admission-hyperuricosuria, normoglycemic glycosuria, proteinuria, renal phosphate leak, sodium leak and potassium leak. Positivity of 2 of the first 4 markers was considered as PTD. 35 patients with PTD and 35 without PTD were followed up throughout their hospital stay.

RESULTS

52.9% had PTD on admission. The most prevalent markers were renal sodium leak (67%), followed by proteinuria (66.7%), hyperuricosuria (42.5%), potassium leak (32.2%), phosphate leak (28.7%) and normoglycemic glycosuria (20.7%). Mean age was 55.7 years. 32.9% patients developed AKI. PTD group had higher odds of developing AKI (odds ratio 17.5 for stage 1, 24.8 for stage 2 and 25.5 for stage 3; p<0.0001). The mean duration of hospital stay was 9 days higher in the PTD group (p<0.001). PTD group also had higher odds of transferring to ICU (OR = 9.4, p = 0.002), need for mechanical ventilation (OR = 10.1, p = 0.002) and death (OR = 10.3, p = 0.001). 32.6% had complete PTD recovery during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Proximal tubular dysfunction is highly prevalent in COVID-19 patients very early in the disease and may act as a predictor of AKI, ICU transfer, need for mechanical ventilation and death.

Influence of time factor and albuminuria on characteristics of patients with type 2 diabetes Mellitus before, during and 1 year after COVID-19 recovery

BACKGROUND

The potential effects of time factor and albuminuria on the morbid alterations in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and COVID-19 are still unclear. We aimed to address the morbid alterations and the potential effects of time factor and albuminuria on the patients' characteristics before, during, and 1 year after COVID-19 recovery.

METHODS

83 patients with T2D were included, at Mansoura University Hospital, Egypt (July 2021-December 2021). Data of detailed history, physical examination, laboratory tests were recruited from files of the patients. Diagnosis and resolution of COVID-19 were established by Real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test of SARS-CoV2. Complete blood count (CBC), renal and hepatic function tests, multiple measures of morning spot urine albumin to creatinine ratio (urine ACR), glycosylated hemoglobin (HBA1c), lipid profile, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Ferritin, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), vitamin D3, intact parathyroid hormone (intact PTH), serum calcium were applied to all participants.

RESULTS

Our participants had a mean age of 45 years, 60.2% male, 56.6% were hospitalized, and 25.3% were admitted to ICU for severe COVID-19. Albuminuria was prevalent in 71.1% before, 98.8% during, and 92.8% after COVID-19 recovery. Patients with albuminuria showed older age, longer duration of T2D, more frequent severe COVID-19 and hospitalization (p = 0.03, p < 0.001, p = 0.023& p = 0.025) respectively. Body mass index (BMI), mean arterial blood pressure, ESR, CRP, ferritin, NLR, HBA1c, triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio, vitamin D3, serum calcium, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), hepatic aminotransferases, and urine ACR showed significant alterations throughout the study (p < 0.001 for all). Although the interaction between time and albuminuria showed non-significant effect on all studied parameters, we noticed relevant main effects of time factor on Body mass index (BMI), HBA1c, glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), TG/HDL ratio, NLR, vitamin D3, (p < 0.001 for all). Moreover, albuminuria showed main effects on BMI, serum creatinine, and intact PTH (p = 0.019, 0.005 & <0.001), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The characteristics of patients with T2D significantly altered throughout the study. Time factor and albuminuria exerted relevant main effects on the patients' characteristics without significant effect of their interaction.

Prognostic potential of creatinine and Cystatin C in COVID-19 - a retrospective cohort study from Karolinska University Hospital

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in COVID-19 and is diagnosed using relative serum creatinine increase. Estimated GFR (eGFR) is a more accurate measure of glomerular filtration due to compensation for age and sex. Serum Cystatin-C, less affected by non-renal factors than creatinine, may further improve renal function estimation and add prognostic information. Our aim is to investigate the importance of a calculated eGFR in relation to creatinine as well as the value of Cystatin-C in patients with severe COVID-19. This study is a retrospective cohort study investigating levels and trends of routine laboratory parameters combined with clinical data from 286 consecutive patients with severe COVID-19 from Karolinska University Hospital. AKI developed in 38% of the patients and 15% were treated with hemodialysis. Mortality in the AKI group was 42% compared to 5% in the non-AKI group. At admission, eGFR_, but not creatinine, was significantly associated with AKI development, need of intubation and mortality. Moreover, discrepant results between eGFR creatinine (eGFR_CR) and eGFR Cystatin-C (eGFR_CYS) was common in the ICU patients compared to non-ICU patients and related to outcome. In addition, we found that daily median Cystatin-C levels during the hospital stay were correlated to neutrophil count. eGFR_CR was found to be an overall better prognostic marker than creatinine regarding AKI development and prognosis in severe COVID-19. Fulfillment of Shrunken pore syndrome criteria indicated a higher mortality risk. Cystatin-C may be related to neutrophil count, which could be a clue to the discrepant eGFR results.

Evaluation of Vancomycin TDM Strategies: Prediction and Prevention of Kidney Injuries Based on Vancomycin TDM Results

The current guidelines for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of vancomycin suggest a target 24-hour area under the curve (AUC_0-24) of 400 to 600 mg*h/L for serious methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. In this study, the predictabilities of acute kidney injury (AKI) of various TDM target parameters, target levels, and sampling methods were evaluated in patients who underwent TDM from January 2020 to December 2020. The AUC_0-24 and trough values were calculated by both one- and two-point sampling methods, and were evaluated for the predictability of AKI. Among the AUC_0-24 cutoff comparisons, the threshold value of 500 mg*h/L in the two sampling methods was statistically significant (P = 0.042) when evaluated for the predictability of AKI. Analysis by an receiver operating characteristic curve estimated an AUC_0-24 cutoff value of 563.45 mg*h/L as a predictor of AKI, and was proposed as the upper limit of TDM target.

Acute kidney injury outcomes in covid-19 patients: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication of coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19). Therefore, we decided to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis with data from the literature to relate the development of COVID-19 associated-AKI with comorbidities, medications, and the impact of mechanical ventilation.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale and a meta-analysis using the R program. Relevant studies were searched in the PubMed, Medline, and SciELO electronic databases. Search filters were used to include reports after 2020 and cohort studies.

RESULTS

In total, 1166 articles were identified and 55 English-written articles were included based on the risk of bias. Of all COVID-19-hospitalized patients presenting with AKI (n = 18029) classified as Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes stage 1 to 3, approximately 18% required mechanical ventilation and 39.2 % died. Around 11.3% of the patients required kidney replacement therapy (KRT) and of these, 1093 died and 321 required continuous KRT. Death is more frequent in individuals with AKI [OR 6.03, 95%CI: 5.73-6.74; p<0.01]. Finally, mechanical ventilation is an aggravating factor in the clinical conditions studied [OR 11.01, 95%CI: 10.29-11.77; p<0.01].

CONCLUSION

Current literature indicates AKI as an important complication in COVID-19. In this context, we observed that comorbidities, such as chronic kidney disease and heart failure, were more related to the development of AKI. In addition, mechanical ventilation was seen as an aggravating factor in this scenario.

Desfechos de lesão renal aguda em pacientes com covid-19: revisão sistemática e metanálise

Resumo Antecedentes: Lesão renal aguda (LRA) é uma complicação frequente da doença do coronavírus-19 (COVID-19). Desta forma, decidimos realizar uma revisão sistemática e uma metanálise com dados da literatura para relacionar o desenvolvimento de LRA associada à COVID-19 com comorbidades, medicamentos e o impacto da ventilação mecânica. Métodos: Realizamos uma revisão sistemática usando a escala de Newcastle-Ottawa e uma metanálise utilizando o programa R. Estudos relevantes foram pesquisados nos bancos de dados eletrônicos PubMed, Medline e SciELO. Foram utilizados filtros de pesquisa para incluir relatos após 2020 e estudos de coorte. Resultados: No total, foram identificados 1166 artigos, e foram incluídos 55 artigos escritos em língua inglesa com base no risco de viés. De todos os pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19 apresentando LRA (n = 18029) classificados como Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes estágios 1 a 3, aproximadamente 18% necessitaram de ventilação mecânica e 39,2% foram a óbito. Cerca de 11,3% dos pacientes necessitaram de terapia renal substitutiva (TRS) e destes, 1093 foram a óbito e 321 necessitaram de TRS contínua. O óbito é mais frequente em indivíduos com LRA [OR 6,03; IC95%: 5,73-6,74; p<0,01]. Por fim, a ventilação mecânica é um fator agravante nas condições clínicas estudadas [OR 11,01; IC95%: 10,29-11,77; p<0,01]. Conclusão: A literatura atual indica a LRA como uma complicação importante na COVID-19. Neste contexto, observamos que comorbidades, como doença renal crônica e insuficiência cardíaca, estiveram mais relacionadas ao desenvolvimento de LRA. Além disso, a ventilação mecânica foi vista como um fator agravante neste cenário.

Mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 Infection-Induced Kidney Injury: A Literature Review

The severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a life-threatening pandemic. Clinical evidence suggests that kidney involvement is common and might lead to mild proteinuria and even advanced acute kidney injury (AKI). Moreover, AKI caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been reported in several countries and regions, resulting in high patient mortality. COVID-19-induced kidney injury is affected by several factors including direct kidney injury mediated by the combination of virus and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, immune response dysregulation, cytokine storm driven by SARS-CoV-2 infection, organ interactions, hypercoagulable state, and endothelial dysfunction. In this review, we summarized the mechanism of AKI caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection through literature search and analysis.

The Association between Kidney Function and the Severity of COVID-19 in Children

BACKGROUND: Kidney manifestations are life-threatening conditions, such as end-stage kidney disease, notably when caused by viral infections. The severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), is an emerging global health problem, potentially affecting all organs, including the kidney. Most reports on kidney manifestations were focused on the adult and elderly population but limited on children. AIM: This study aims to analyze the association between kidney function and the severity of the disease of pediatric patients suffering from COVID-19. METHODS: From March 2020 to March 2021, an observational analytic study was conducted in Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia. The demographic data, clinical signs, laboratory results, and notable kidney function were analyzed, and based on its clinical appearance the disease was classified as severe and non-severe. Subsequently, the Mann–Whitney test for nonparametric was used to analyze the collected data. RESULTS: In this study, 40 COVID-19 children were selected as the subjects, and the median estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) value in the severe group was discovered to be lower (88.2 mL/min/1.73 m2) compared to the non-severe (124.4 mL/min/1.73 m2), it was statistically significant (p = 0.041). There was no difference in hemoglobin and leukocyte values between the two groups (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the CRP and NLR results showed no difference between the groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: A severe SARS-CoV-2 infection correlates with kidney function, which was manifested by a lower median eGFR value in the severe compared to the non-severe group.

Urinalysis, but Not Blood Biochemistry, Detects the Early Renal Impairment in Patients with COVID-19

Background: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), has created a tremendous economic and medical burden. The prevalence and prognostic value of SARS-CoV-2-induced kidney impairment remain controversial. The current study aimed to provide additional evidence on the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in COVID-19 patients and propose the use of urinalysis as a tool for screening kidney impairment. Methods: 178 patients with confirmed COVID-19 were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. The laboratory examinations included routine blood tests, blood biochemical analyses (liver function, renal function, lipids, and glucose), blood coagulation index, lymphocyte subset and cytokine analysis, urine routine test, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation, and serum ferritin. Results: No patient exhibited a rise in serum creatinine or Cystatin C and occurrence of AKI, and only 2.8% of patients were recorded with an elevated level of blood urea nitrogen among all cases. On the contrary, 54.2% of patients who underwent routine urine testing presented with an abnormal urinalysis as featured by proteinuria, hematuria, and leucocyturia. Conclusions: Kidney impairment is prevalent among COVID-19 patients, with an abnormal urinalysis as a clinical manifestation, implying that a routine urine test is a stronger indication of prospective kidney complication than a blood biochemistry test.

Impact of the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic on Patients with Head Injuries in South Korea

Objective

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting the characteristics of patients with head injuries. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with head injuries at a regional emergency medical center in South Korea.

Methods

From April 2019 to November 2020, 350 patients with head injuries were admitted to our hospital. The study period was divided into the pre-COVID-19 (n=169) and COVID-19 (n=181) eras (10 months each). Patients with severe head injuries requiring surgery (n=74) were categorized into those who underwent surgery (n=41) and those who refused surgery (n=33).

Results

Head injuries in pediatric patients (<3 years) were more frequent in the COVID-19 era than in the pre-COVID-19 era (8.8% vs. 3.6%, p=0.048). More patients refused surgery in the COVID-19 era than in the pre-COVID-19 era (57.9% vs. 30.6%, p=0.021). Refusal of surgery was associated with old age (67.7±14.5 vs. 52.4±19.1, p<0.001), marital status (married, 84.8% vs. 61.0%, p=0.037), unemployment (42.4% vs. 68.3%, p=0.034), COVID-19 era (66.7% vs. 39.0%, p=0.021), and lower Glasgow coma scale scores (6.12±3.08 vs. 10.6±3.80, p<0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that refusal of surgery was independently associated with old age (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.084; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.030–1.140; p=0.002), COVID-19 era (adjusted OR, 6.869; 95% CI, 1.624–29.054; p=0.009), and lower Glasgow coma scale scores (adjusted OR, 0.694; 95% CI, 0.568–0.848; p<0.001).

Conclusion

We observed an increased prevalence of head injuries in pediatric patients (<3 years) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, among patients with severe head injuries requiring surgery, more patients refused to undergo surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Incidence and Outcome of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Hospitalized With Coronavirus Disease-19 at a Tertiary Care Medical Center in Saudi Arabia

Introduction The systemic acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has been associated with acute kidney injury (AKI). We retrospectively studied the incidence and outcome of AKI in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted after ethical approval from the institutional review board of King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC). Subjects were identified by Data Management Office of KAIMRC. The data were extracted from electronic medical records using a customized data collection sheet. The study included all adult patients (>18 years) who tested positive for COVID-19 by polymerase chain reaction and were admitted at KAMC from March 2020 until the end of September 2020. Patients with a history of end-stage kidney diseases and patients where adequate data were not available to establish diagnosis of AKI were excluded. Patient demographics, comorbid conditions, medications, use of mechanical ventilation, and 30-day mortality were recorded. Results During the study period (01 March 2020 to 30 September 2020) 1293 patients were hospitalized at KAMC with the diagnosis of COVID-19. After excluding the patients who met the exclusion criteria, data were collected for 1025 patients [male 582 (56.8%); female 443 (43.2%)]. On univariate analysis, increasing age, male gender, use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, diuretics, and vasopressors, presence of chronic kidney disease, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, and hypertension, kidney transplant status, and mechanical ventilation were associated with development of AKI. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, independent predictors of AKI were restricted to increasing age, presence of chronic kidney disease, hypertension, kidney transplant status, use of vasopressors, and mechanical ventilation. For patients who developed AKI, 30-day mortality was 40.7% compared to 3.7% for those who did not develop AKI (p<0.001). Conclusion For hospitalized patients with COVID-19, we observed an incidence of AKI of 36%. Increasing age, presence of chronic kidney disease and hypertension, kidney transplant status, use of vasopressors, and mechanical ventilation were independently associated with development of AKI. Presence of AKI was associated with higher 30-day mortality (40.7% vs 3.7%).

Application of extracorporeal therapies in critically ill COVID-19 patients

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a major public health event caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 has spread widely all over the world. A high proportion of patients become severely or critically ill, and suffer high mortality due to respiratory failure and multiple organ dysfunction. Therefore, providing timely and effective treatment for critically ill patients is essential to reduce overall mortality. Convalescent plasma therapy and pharmacological treatments, such as aerosol inhalation of interferon-α (IFN-α), corticosteroids, and tocilizumab, have all been applied in clinical practice; however, their effects remain controversial. Recent studies have shown that extracorporeal therapies might have a potential role in treating critically ill COVID-19 patients. In this review, we examine the application of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), hemoadsorption (HA), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO₂R) in critically ill COVID-19 patients to provide support for the further diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.

Kidney injury in COVID-19 patients, drug development and their renal complications: Review study

Since December 2019, the world was encountered a new disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although SARS-CoV-2 initially causes lung damage, it also affects many other organs, including the kidneys, and on average, 5–23% of people with COVID-19 develop the symptoms of acute kidney injury (AKI), including elevated blood creatinine and urea, hematuria, proteinuria, and histopathological damages. The exact mechanism is unknown, but the researchers believe that SARS-CoV-2 directly and indirectly affects the kidneys. The direct pathway is by binding the virus to ACE2 receptor in the kidney, damage to cells, the renin-angiotensin system disturbances, activating coagulation pathways, and damaging the renal vascular endothelium. The initial evidence from studying the kidney tissue in postmortem patients is more in favor of the direct pathway. The indirect pathway is created by increased cytokines and cytokine storm, sepsis, circulatory disturbances, hypoxemia, as well as using the nephrotoxic drugs. Using renal tissue biopsy and autopsy in the patients with COVID-19, recent studies found evidence for a predominant indirect pathway in AKI induction by SARS-CoV-2. Besides, some studies showed that the degree of acute tubular injury (ATI) in autopsies from COVID-19 victims is milder compared to AKI degree. We review the mechanism of AKI induction and the renal side effects of the most common drugs used to treat COVID-19 after the overview of the latest findings on SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity.

Incidence and Outcomes of Acute Kidney Injury in COVID-19: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The recent worldwide pandemic of COVID-19 has been a serious, multidimensional problem that has left a detrimental worldwide impact on individuals of all ages and several organ systems. The typical manifestation of kidney involvement is acute kidney injury (AKI); however, there is a lack of consensus data regarding AKI epidemiology in COVID-19. This systematic literature review aims to bridge this knowledge gap.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MEASUREMENTS

MEDLINE and Cochrane library were systematically searched for the literature related to AKI in COVID-19 patients of all ages. MedRxIV was searched for relevant unpublished manuscripts. Two reviewers independently assessed the literature on the incidence of AKI and mortality, extracting the need for kidney replacement therapy (KRT).

RESULTS

Sixty studies (n = 43,871 patients) were included in this review. The pooled incidence of AKI among COVID-19 patients was 19.45% (95% confidence intervals [95% CI]: 14.63-24.77%), while the pooled incidence of AKI COVID-19 patients requiring KRT was 39.04% (16.38-64.57%). The pooled proportion of COVID+ patients was significantly lower at 8.83% (5.64% to 12/66%). The overall mortality of COVID-19 patients was calculated to be 17.71% (95% CI: 11.49-24.93%), while the mortality among patients with AKI was higher at 54.24% (95% CI: 44.70-63.63%).

CONCLUSION

This comprehensive systematic review summarizes the available literature pertaining to AKI epidemiology in COVID-19 patients and highlights the incidence, associated mortality, and the need for KRT in this susceptible population.

Diabetes is most important cause for mortality in COVID-19 hospitalized patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis

The presence of SARS-CoV-2 was officially documented in Europe at the end of February 2020. Despite many observations, the real impact of COVID-19 in the European Union (EU), its underlying factors and their contribution to mortality and morbidity outcomes were never systematically investigated. The aim of the present work is to provide an overview and a meta-analysis of main predictors and of country differences of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection-associated mortality rate (MR) in hospitalized patients. Out of 3714 retrieved articles, 87 studies were considered, including 35,486 patients (mean age 60.9 ± 8.2 years) and 5867 deaths. After adjustment for confounders, diabetes mellitus was the best predictors of MR in an age- and sex-dependent manner, followed by chronic pulmonary obstructive diseases and malignancies. In both the US and Europe, MR was higher than that reported in Asia (25[20;29] % and 20[17;23] % vs. 13[10;17]%; both p < 0.02). Among clinical parameters, dyspnea, fatigue and myalgia, along with respiratory rate, emerged as the best predictors of MR. Finally, reduced lymphocyte and platelet count, along with increased D-dimer levels, all significantly contributed to increased mortality. The optimization of glucose profile along with an adequate thrombotic complications preventive strategy must become routine practice in diseased SARS-CoV-2 infected patients.

Kidney Complications of COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Some patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported to have developed mild to severe kidney injuries. The current systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out to estimate the prevalence and incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) among COVID-19 patients.

Study design: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and MedRxiv databases were searched from December 1, 2019, up to July 27, 2020. Two independent co-authors completed the screening process, data extraction, and quality assessment of the retrieved records. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to determine the pooled prevalence and 95% confidence interval (CI) of AKI among COVID-19 patients.

Results: Out of 2,332 unique identified records, 51 studies were included in the review. Overall, the studies were carried out on 25,600 patients. A total of 6,505 patients (in 18 cross-sectional studies) were included to estimate the pooled prevalence of AKI, and 18,934 patients (in 27 cohort studies) were included to determine the pooled incidence of AKI. The pooled prevalence of AKI was estimated as 10.08% (95% CI: 4.59, 17.32; I ²=98.56%; P<0.001). Furthermore, the pooled incidence of AKI was 12.78% (95% CI: 7.38, 19.36; I ²=99.27%; P<0.001). The mean (95% CI) values of serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), potassium, and sodium were 76.10 (69.36, 82.84), 4.60 (4.04, 5.30), 3.94 (3.78, 4.11), and 139.30 (138.26, 140.36) mmol/L, respectively.

Conclusions: The AKI is a considerable complication among COVID-19 patients and should be screened for on clinical examinations. The BUN, SCr, potassium, and sodium levels were within the normal ranges.

Development of acute kidney injury with massive granular casts and microscopic hematuria in patients with COVID-19: two case presentations with literature review

BACKGROUND

Complications of acute kidney injury (AKI) are common in patients with coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19). However, clinical characteristics of COVID-19-associated AKI are poorly described. We present two cases of severe COVID-19 patients with AKI.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 77-year-old woman was suspected of having vancomycin-associated AKI, and a 45-year-old man was suspected of having heme pigment-induced AKI caused by rhabdomyolysis. The granular cast, which is known to be a valuable diagnostic tool for confirming the diagnosis of acute tubular necrosis, was detected in both patients at the onset of AKI. Interestingly, both patients also developed microscopic hematuria at the occurrence of AKI, and one patient had elevated d-dimer and low platelet levels simultaneously.

CONCLUSIONS

Some reports suggested that COVID-19-associated microangiopathy contributed to the kidney damage. Therefore, it is possible that our patients might have accompanied renal microangiopathy, and that this pathological background may have caused exaggerated tubular damage by vancomycin or heme pigment. The etiology of AKI in patients with COVID-19 is multifactorial. Superimposition of nephrotoxin(s) and virus-associate intra-renal microangiopathy may be a crucial trigger of kidney injury leading to severe AKI in COVID-19 patients. Therefore, in COVID-19 patients, risk factors for AKI should be taken into consideration to prevent its progression into severe AKI.

Potential role of ACE2-related microRNAs in COVID-19-associated nephropathy

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is responsible for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), potentially have severe kidney adverse effects. This organ expressed angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the transmembrane protein which facilitate the entering of the virus into the cell. Therefore, early detection of the kidney manifestations of COVID-19 is crucial. Previous studies showed ACE2 role in various indications of this disease, especially in kidney effects. The MicroRNAs (miRNAs) in this organ affected ACE2 expression. Therefore, this review aims at summarizing the literature of a novel miRNA-based therapy and its potential applications in COVID-19-associated nephropathy. Furthermore, previous studies were analyzed for the kidney manifestations of COVID-19 and the miRNAs role that were published on the online databases, namely MEDLINE (PubMed) and Scopus. Several miRNAs, particularly miR-18 (which was upregulated in nephropathy), played a crucial role in ACE2 expression. Therefore, the antimiR-18 roles were summarized in various primate models that aided in developing the therapy for ACE2 related diseases.