Kidney Transplant Recipients and COVID-19: Characteristics and Prognosis

Mehmet Ali Uruçay; Betül Gülalp; Nilüfer Bayraktar; Emre Karakaya; Nuran Sarı; Dorina Esendağlı; Hale Turnaoğlu; Eylem Gül Ateş

doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1922450

Kidney Transplant Recipients and COVID-19: Characteristics and Prognosis

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the characteristics and prognosis of kidney transplant recipients who presented with symptoms compatible with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: This study was conducted as a single-center, retrospective cross-sectional study following approval from the Baskent University Institutional Review Board. The study included cases presented between March 1, 2020, and May 31, 2021. The study analyzed demography, clinical findings, laboratory and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) results, thoracic computed tomography (CT) and hospitalization data. Patients were divided into two groups: PCR positive (PCR+) and PCR negative (PCR-) patients. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v25.0. Results: Twenty-eight patients were PCR+. The mean age of these was 53.8 ± 10.3 years, and 82.2% were male. The main symptoms were fever (50%) and fatigue/weakness (42.8%), and among kidney transplant recipients presenting to the emergency department with symptoms compatible with COVID-19, a statistically significant difference was observed in terms of hospitalization and discharge rates (p = 0.014). Thoracic CT scans were performed in 67.8% (n=19) of them at presentation, and typical infiltrations consistent with COVID-19 were found in 50% (n=14). Significant findings in the PCR+ group included leukocyte (p=0.001), neutrophil (p=0.001), Hs-Troponin I (p=0.032), glucose (p=0.032), and tomography findings (p=0.016). Among PCR+ patients, 57.1% (n=16) required hospitalization, and the overall in hospital mortality rate was 25% (n=7). Conclusion: In kidney transplant recipients, laboratory markers and thoracic CT imaging may be utilized as valuable tools for emergency physicians in predicting COVID-19 characteristics and prognosis.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Supported by Baskent University Research Fund.

Project Number

KA21/222

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by Baskent University Institutional Review Board (Project no: KA21/222).

Thanks

Murat Muratoğlu, Hale Turnaoğlu, Emre Karakaya, Nuran Sarı, Dorina Esendağlı.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Transplantation, Emergency Medicine, Infectious Diseases

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Mehmet Ali Uruçay ^*
0000-0002-6782-1298
Türkiye

Betül Gülalp
0000-0002-2045-2771
Türkiye

Nilüfer Bayraktar
0000-0002-7886-3688
Türkiye

Emre Karakaya
0000-0002-4879-7974
Türkiye

Nuran Sarı
0000-0002-3165-4520
Türkiye

Dorina Esendağlı
0000-0002-6619-2952
Türkiye

Hale Turnaoğlu
0000-0002-0781-0036
Türkiye

Eylem Gül Ateş
0000-0002-6166-2601
Türkiye

Publication Date

June 5, 2026

Submission Date

April 3, 2026

Acceptance Date

May 6, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 17 Number: April, May, June 2026

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1922450

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA62NN28AH

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Uruçay, M. A., Gülalp, B., Bayraktar, N., Karakaya, E., Sarı, N., Esendağlı, D., Turnaoğlu, H., & Gül Ateş, E. (2026). Kidney Transplant Recipients and COVID-19: Characteristics and Prognosis. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 17(April, May, June 2026). https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1922450

AMA

1.Uruçay MA, Gülalp B, Bayraktar N, et al. Kidney Transplant Recipients and COVID-19: Characteristics and Prognosis. Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg. 2026;17(April, May, June 2026). doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1922450

Chicago

Uruçay, Mehmet Ali, Betül Gülalp, Nilüfer Bayraktar, et al. 2026. “Kidney Transplant Recipients and COVID-19: Characteristics and Prognosis”. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17 (April, May, June 2026). https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1922450.

EndNote

Uruçay MA, Gülalp B, Bayraktar N, Karakaya E, Sarı N, Esendağlı D, Turnaoğlu H, Gül Ateş E (June 1, 2026) Kidney Transplant Recipients and COVID-19: Characteristics and Prognosis. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17 April, May, June 2026

IEEE

[1]M. A. Uruçay et al., “Kidney Transplant Recipients and COVID-19: Characteristics and Prognosis”, Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg, vol. 17, no. April, May, June 2026, June 2026, doi: 10.31067/acusaglik.1922450.

ISNAD

Uruçay, Mehmet Ali - Gülalp, Betül - Bayraktar, Nilüfer - Karakaya, Emre - Sarı, Nuran - Esendağlı, Dorina - Turnaoğlu, Hale - Gül Ateş, Eylem. “Kidney Transplant Recipients and COVID-19: Characteristics and Prognosis”. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17/April, May, June 2026 (June 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1922450.

JAMA

1.Uruçay MA, Gülalp B, Bayraktar N, Karakaya E, Sarı N, Esendağlı D, Turnaoğlu H, Gül Ateş E. Kidney Transplant Recipients and COVID-19: Characteristics and Prognosis. Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg. 2026;17. doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1922450.

MLA

Uruçay, Mehmet Ali, et al. “Kidney Transplant Recipients and COVID-19: Characteristics and Prognosis”. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 17, no. April, May, June 2026, June 2026, doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1922450.

Vancouver

1.Mehmet Ali Uruçay, Betül Gülalp, Nilüfer Bayraktar, Emre Karakaya, Nuran Sarı, Dorina Esendağlı, Hale Turnaoğlu, Eylem Gül Ateş. Kidney Transplant Recipients and COVID-19: Characteristics and Prognosis. Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg. 2026 Jun. 1;17(April, May, June 2026). doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1922450