The relationship between COVID-19 and HLA in kidney transplant recipients, an evaluation of predictive and prognostic factors.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive and prognostic factors for COVID-19 infection and its relationship with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) in kidney transplant recipients.

MATERIAL AND METHOD:

Three hundred fifty kidney transplant recipients were included in the study. Recipients were divided into two groups: COVID-19(+) (n = 100) and control (n = 250). The relationships between HLA frequencies, COVID-19 infection, and prognostic factors (age, donor type, immunosuppression protocol, etc.) were then evaluated. Logistic regression analysis, heatmap, and decision tree methods were used to determine predictive and prognostic factors. The study was performed retrospectively.

RESULTS:

Advanced age and deceased transplantation emerged as predictive of SARS-CoV-2 infection, while the presence of HLA-A*11, the HLA match ratio, and high-dose tacrolimus were identified as prognostic factors in kidney transplant recipients. HLA-A10, HLA-B*13, HLA-B22, and HLA-B*55 were shown to be associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection at univariate analysis, and HLA-B*57, HLA-DRB1*11, and HLA-DRB1*13 at logistic regression analysis.

CONCLUSION:

HLA-A10, HLA-B*13, HLA-B*55, HLA-B*57, HLA-DRB1*11, and HLA-DRB1*13 were identified for the first time in the literature associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in kidney transplant recipients.

• Authors: Mustafa Gökhan Ertosun, Özlenen Özkan, Şule Darbaş, Deniz Özel, Uğur Bilge, Nurten Sayin Ekinci, Vural Taner Yilmaz, Fahri Uçar, Hüseyin Koçak, Ömer Özkan
• Journal: Clinical transplantation (Clin Transplant) Vol. 36 Issue 2 Pg. e14525 (02 2022) ISSN: 1399-0012 [Electronic] Denmark
• PMID: 34726292 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2021 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chemical References

• HLA Antigens

Topics

• COVID-19
• HLA Antigens
• Humans
• Kidney Transplantation (adverse effects)
• Prognosis
• Retrospective Studies
• SARS-CoV-2
• Transplant Recipients