Abstract

YEşIL GUNAL MD, PHD, Servin et al. Antibody production against COVID-19 in hemodialysis patients. Rev. nefrol. dial. traspl. [online]. 2021, vol.41, n.3, pp.159-165. ISSN 2346-8548.

Introduction: Dialysis patients may have a very high prevalence and death rate for COVID-19. The aim of this study is to show the level of antibody against SARS-CoV-2 in hemodialysis and staff working in the same dialysis center. Methods: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were studied in 156 hemodialysis patients and 27 staff. After a 5-minute resting period, blood pressure was measured and then subsequent to an approximately 12-hour fasting period, blood sample were drawn for biochemistry parameters and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. Results: Three of hemodialysis patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 in March and their PCR tests were positive. The symptoms of these patients were extreme fatigue and muscle weakness. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies tests were performed on all patients and staff in July. In total, 13/156 (8.3%) patients were diagnosed as COVID-19 based on anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The other 10 patients were asymptomatic. The staff and 143 hemodialysis patients had IgG (-). Hemodialysis patients who had anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG (+) antibodies had decreased level of haemoglobin and high levels of C-reactive protein and alkaline phosphatase. Conclusions: Antibody tests are particularly important for detecting people with COVID-19 who have few or no symptoms. It has also been seen that the spread of infection in the dialysis center can be prevented by very strict precautions.

Keywords : COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; prevalence; renal dialysis; hemodialysis; antibodies; immunoglobulin G.

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