The impact of Omicron on outcomes following infection with SARS-CoV-2 in patients with kidney failure in Scotland

Abstract

The Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of concern (VOC) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), was first detected in November 2021 in South Africa [1]. It is characterized by several mutations of the spike protein especially in the region that recognizes receptors on human cells, which has increased its transmissibility compared with the wild type and previous VOCs. There is increasing evidence in the general population that Omicron is associated with less severe disease and that the third/booster vaccine dose offers additional protection from severe COVID-19 disease [2, 3]. In patients undergoing kidney replacement therapy (KRT), it is now well established that whilst two doses of a COVID-19 vaccination induce a serological response with formation of anti-S immunoglobulin G antibodies in the majority of dialysis patients, this offers lesser protection against death and hospitalization compared with that offered in people without kidney failure [4–7]. In the UK from mid- to late-December, neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (nMabs) and/or oral antiviral therapy were offered to symptomatic patients receiving KRT (dialysis and transplant) following a positive polymerase chain reaction test irrespective of disease severity. There is currently a lack of data on how the Omicron variant has impacted on outcomes following infection with SARS-CoV-2 in patients receiving KRT.

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https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

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DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ckj/sfac173

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http://eprints.gla.ac.uk/275587/