Covid-19 in kidney transplant recipients

Vnitr Lek. 2022 Fall;68(7):444-448. doi: 10.36290/vnl.2022.093.

Abstract

Kidney transplant recipients are a very vulnerable population at risk of severe course and death from Covid-19. Several antiviral drugs are now available for the treatment of nonhospitalized individuals with mild to moderate Covid-19 and hospitalized patients with severe disease. The combination of monoclonal antibodies is also available to be used as pre-exposure prophylaxis in elderly patients. Previously used monoclonal antibodies for post-exposure prophylaxis are no longer effective because of the new mutations and are no longer recommended. Although the immune response to Covid-19 vaccines is impaired in kidney transplant recipients, the effectiveness of the Covid-19 vaccines was described even in this immunocompromised group. Therefore vaccination, together with anti-epidemic measures, remains the most important tool to prevent Covid-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; Monoclonal antibodies; SARS‑CoV- 2; antiviral drugs; kidney transplantation; mRNA vaccine; monoclonal antibodies; pre-exposure prophylaxis; pre‑exposure prophylaxis; vaccination; vaccine effectiveness; vector vaccine.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • COVID-19 Vaccines* / administration & dosage
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Kidney Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • COVID-19 Vaccines