SARS-CoV-2 vs. Hepatitis Virus Infection Risk in the Hemodialysis Population: What Should We Expect?

Abstract

Since the dramatic rise of the coronavirus infection disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, patients receiving dialysis have emerged as especially susceptible to this infection because of their impaired immunologic state, chronic inflammation and the high incidence of comorbidities. Although several strategies have thus been implemented to minimize the risk of transmission and acquisition in this population worldwide, the reported severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) seroprevalence varies across studies but is higher than in the general population. On the contrary, the screening for hepatitis viruses (HBV and HCV) has seen significant improvements in recent years, with vaccination in the case of HBV and effective viral infection treatment for HCV. In this sense, a universal SARS-CoV-2 screening and contact precaution appear to be effective in preventing further transmission. Finally, regarding the progress, an international consensus with updated protocols that prioritize between old and new indicators would seem a reasonable tool to address these unexpended changes for the nephrology community.

Understanding the effects of Covid-19 on patients with diabetic nephropathy: a systematic review

“…However, there is limited knowledge regarding the specific mechanisms by which miRNAs regulate SARS-CoV-2 gene expression in kidney cells to regulate viral DNA amplification. ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are receptors involved in the cellular uptake of SARS-CoV-2 42 , 43 . ACE2 is highly expressed in various tissues, including the kidneys.…”

Coronavirus Disease (COVID)-19 and Diabetic Kidney Disease

“…As kidney transplant and dialysis patients with COVID-19 often present atypically, it is even more important to practice universal respiratory precautions [ 50 , 53 ]. Even after vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are widespread, the global pandemic is likely to be our “new normal”, due to several more infectious variants [ 54 , 55 , 56 ].…”

“…The surface receptor ACE2 and TMPRSS2 participate in the endocytosis of viral particles into cells [ 53 , 57 ]. ACE2 receptors are highly expressed in the respiratory and gastrointestinal epithelium, heart, blood vessels, and kidneys.…”

“…ACE2 receptors are highly expressed in the respiratory and gastrointestinal epithelium, heart, blood vessels, and kidneys. The SARS-CoV-2 virus enters into the host cell through these mechanisms: Adhesion, penetration, biosynthesis, maturation, and release of the virus [ 53 ]. The binding affinity of the virus to the host cells is correlated to the severity of the disease.…”

Discovering hub genes involved in the pathophysiological impact of COVID-19 on diabetes kidney disease by differential gene expression and interactome analysis

“…Notably, 28% of kidney transplant patients and 64% of intubated patients died [20]. In this context, building guidelines for managing and considering atypical sing and symptoms for the differential diagnosis in kidney transplant and dialysis patients to reduce the complications during the procedure [20,32].…”