Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of the renal complications of COVID-19 in Africa

Africa trails the rest of the world in COVID-19 cases and deaths. However, as the pandemic spreads through the continent, we expect increases in community infection in the months ahead. Patients with kidney infection, especially those with end-stage kidney disease and those with kidney transplants, are at high risk for acquiring the disease and dying from it. While there is limited evidence for the benefit of interventions, we have the advantage of learning from the experiences of those in China, Europe and the Americas. This document sets forth guidance for dealing with our patients who have acute and chronic kidney disease, including those on renal replacement therapy and the staff involved in their care. Emphasis is placed on preparedness and prevention strategies. As evidence and experience accumulate, it is likely that updated guidance will be needed.L’Afrique suit le reste du monde en termes de nombre de cas et de décès dus à COVID-19. Cependant, alors que la pandémie se propage à travers le continent, nous prévoyons une augmentation de l’infection communautaire dans les mois à venir. Les patients atteints d’une maladie rénale, en particulier ceux atteints d’une maladie rénale chronique en phase terminale et ceux ayant subi une transplantation rénale, courent un risque élevé de contracter la maladie et d’en mourir. Bien que les preuves d’interventions soient limitées, nous avons l’avantage de tirer des enseignements des expériences de ceux qui se trouvent en Chine, en Europe et dans les Amériques. Ce document présente des conseils pour traiter nos patients atteints d’insuffisance rénale aiguë et chronique, y compris ceux sous thérapie de suppléance rénale et le personnel impliqué dans leurs soins. L’accent est mis sur les stratégies de préparation et de prévention. Au fur et à mesure que les preuves et l’expérience s’accumulent, il est probable que des directives actualisées seront nécessaires

Correction: Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of the renal complications of COVID-19 in Africa

The authors of the article ‘Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of the renal complications of COVID-19 in Africa’ [1] wish to acknowledge the contribution of Professor Hussein El Fishawy. Our guidelines drew on various sources, including the Egyptian Ministry of Health guidelines, portions of which were adapted and reproduced with permission from the Egyptian Ministry of Health. Two of the authors of those guidelines, Professors Elsayed and Zaki, are also coauthors of our paper. Professor El Fishawy was the third author of the Egyptian guidelines and we would like to acknowledge his contribution to our review through this source, especially with respect to the treatment algorithms for patients with kidney transplants and those with acute kidney injury. Reference1. Elsayed HM, Wadee S, Zaki MS, Were AJO, Ashuntantang GE, Bamgboye EL, et al. Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of the renal complications of COVID-19 in Africa. Afr J Nephrol. 2020; 23(1):109-126

Incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of acute kidney injury among hiv positive medical admissions at the Bamenda Regional Hospital

Background: There is a paucity of data on the burden of acute kidney injury (AKI) in hospitalized HIV-infected patients in Sub-Saharan Africa in the “test and treat” era.Objectives: To study the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of AKI among HIV-positive medical admissions in a secondary hospital.Materials and methods: We prospectively screened adult HIV-positive patients who gave their informed consent and were admitted to the Bamenda Regional Hospital for AKI from February to June 2020. We excluded participants with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Stage 5 and those with confounders of serum creatinine. On admission and after 2-7 days, we extracted a venous blood sample from each participant to evaluate serum creatinine and diagnose AKI. The participants were then followed up on until they were discharged or died. We measured the need for dialysis, access to dialysis, and renal recovery at three months for patients with AKI. The amended KDIGO 2012 criteria were used to define and classify AKI. The University of Bamenda’s institutional review board provided ethical approval.Results: A total of 206 participants (39.8% men) were enrolled, with a mean (SD) age of 45.71(13.13) years. On enrolment, 89.8% (n = 185) of the participants were on combination antiretroviral therapy (c-ART), with 81.6% (n = 151) on tenofovir-containing regimens. The WHO HIV clinical stages 3 and 4 were present in 81.5% (n = 168) of the individuals. The most common reason for hospitalization was opportunistic infections (69.8%; n = 142). AKI was found in 30.6% (n = 63) of the patients, with 58.7% (n = 37) of them being classified as KDIGO stage 3. A total of 12 (42.9%) participants out of the 28 in need, were dialyzed. AKI was independently associated with use of traditional medicines (aOR = 2.9; 95% CI 1.4-6.3; p = 0.006), WHO HIV stages 3 and 4 (aOR = 4.1; 95% CI 1.1-15.7; p = 0.038), hypotension (aOR = 3.3; 95% CI 1.4-7.8; p = 0.008) and low haemoglobin level ≤ 8.0 g/dl (aOR = 3.5; 95% CI 1.7-7.4; p = 0.001). The AKI group used to have a significantly higher mortality rate (42.9% vs. 16.1%; p < 0.001). Renal recovery was complete in 66.7% of the 30 survivors at three months, partial in 13.3%, and no recovery in 20% of the survivors.Conclusion: Despite the growing use of combination antiretroviral medication, significant immunosuppression is still common in hospitalized HIV-positive patients, increasing the risk of AKI and worsening prognosis. In this high-risk population, early detection of AKI with renal function monitoring may improve results

Risk Factors, Epidemiology and Outcome of Acute Kidney Injury among Pediatric Admissions in a Primary Health Facility in Cameroon

Background and aim: Little is known about what happens in primary health structures without nephrology care, especially in the paediatric population. We sought describe the epidemiology of AKI in children at risk in district hospitals in Cameroon. Methods: We prospectively screened consenting children aged 2-18 years of age in paediatric wards of 3 large urban district hospitals over a period of 4 months. Participants with AKI were then followed up till discharge. Outcomes of interest were need and access to dialysis, and renal recovery on hospital discharge. Written assent was obtained from parents or caregivers. Results: Among the 211 children admitted during the study period, 82% (n=173) were at risk of AKI, of whom 19 (11%) did not consent. Of the 154 children included 54.5% were males and the median age was 6 years [IQ 3-10]. Sepsis and volume depletion were the most common risk factors of AKI. The incidence of AKI was 12.3% (n=19). AKI was mostly community acquired and 47.4% (n=9) patients were in KDIGO stage 3. Pre-renal AKI and acute tubular necrosis accounted for 63.2% and 36.8% respectively. Gastro-intestinal losses, malaria, bacterial sepsis and nephrotoxins were the common aetiologies of AKI. On discharge, 71.7% of AKI had complete recovery renal function. Conclusion: Risk factors of AKI are very common in children on admission in general district hospitals in Cameroon. Efforts should be made to raise awareness of primary health caregivers about risk assessment, prevention, early recognition and management of AKI in children

Prolonged abdominal pregnancy incidentally discovered during cesarean section: a case report

Abstract Background Abdominal pregnancy is a rare medical condition that is still missed in developing countries due to inadequate medical facilities. The clinical indicators manifest in various forms and are nonspecific, making it challenging to diagnose and often leading to delayed detection. However, obstetric ultrasound serves as an essential tool in early detection. Our objective was to share our experience dealing with this condition and emphasise the importance of early ultrasound diagnosis through efficient pregnancy monitoring in our regions. Case presentation 35-year-old Black African woman who had ten months of amenorrhea sought consultation due to an absence of active foetal movements. Her pregnancy was of 39 weeks with fetal demise which was confirmed following clinical examination and ultrasound. She underwent cesarean section in view of transverse position of fetus. During cesarean section, the fetus was found within the abdominal cavity with the placenta attached over the left iliac fossa including surface of left ovary. The uterus and right adnexa were within normal limits. A 2600 g macerated fetus with placenta and membranes were extracted without any complications. The maternal outcome was successful. Conclusions Abdominal pregnancy remained an inadequately diagnosed condition in developing countries. It is imperative to increase awareness among pregnant women regarding high-quality prenatal care, including early obstetric ultrasound, from conception. Meanwhile, healthcare professionals should receive continuous training and the technical platform modernised. To ensure accurate diagnosis, the location of the gestational sac must be identified for every pregnant woman during their initial ultrasound appointment

Néphrologie solidaire : la coopération Genève-Yaoundé

La maladie rénale chronique (MRC) a une haute prévalence au Cameroun et va devenir un important problème de santé publique. Sa prise en charge doit être globale, partant de la prévention de la MRC jusqu’à la mise en place des techniques de suppléance extrarénale les plus adaptées aux besoins des patients et aux ressources disponibles localement. Des actions concrètes, dans le cadre d’une néphrologie solidaire, impliquant des services de néphrologie d’Afrique et d’Europe, peuvent y contribuer. La collaboration entre les Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève et ceux de Yaoundé en est un exemple probant, avec la mise en place d’un essai clinique sur le traitement de l’acidose métabolique liée à la MRC, une aide à la pose des cathéters de dialyse par sonographie et l’initiation d’un programme de transplantation rénale avec des donneurs vivants.Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a high prevalence in Cameroon and will become an important public health problem. Its management must be comprehensive, starting with CKD prevention to the implementation of renal replacement therapies best suited to the needs of patients and resources available in Cameroon. Practical interventions involving nephrology departments in both Africa and Europe can contribute to an improved management of CKD in Africa. The current collaboration between the Geneva University Hospitals and the Yaoundé teaching hospitals is a convincing example. It includes a clinical trial on the treatment of metabolic acidosis linked to CKD, assistance with the placement of hemodialysis catheters by sonography and the initiation of a kidney transplantation program with living donors

Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of the renal complications of COVID-19 in Africa

CITATION: Elsayed, H. M. et al. 2020. Guidelines for the prevention, detection and management of the renal complications of COVID-19 in Africa. African Journal of Nephrology, 23(1):109-126, doi:10.21804/23-1-4097.The original publication is available at https://www.journals.ac.zaENGLISH ABSTRACT: Africa trails the rest of the world in COVID-19 cases and deaths. However, as the pandemic spreads through the continent, we expect increases in community infection in the months ahead. Patients with kidney infection, especially those with end-stage kidney disease and those with kidney transplants, are at high risk for acquiring the disease and dying from it. While there is limited evidence for the benefit of interventions, we have the advantage of learning from the experiences of those in China, Europe and the Americas. This document sets forth guidance for dealing with our patients who have acute and chronic kidney disease, including those on renal replacement therapy and the staff involved in their care. Emphasis is placed on preparedness and prevention strategies. As evidence and experience accumulate, it is likely that updated guidance will be needed. L’Afrique suit le reste du monde en termes de nombre de cas et de décès dus à COVID-19. Cependant, alors que la pandémie se propage à travers le continent, nous prévoyons une augmentation de l’infection communautaire dans les mois à venir. Les patients atteints d’une maladie rénale, en particulier ceux atteints d’une maladie rénale chronique en phase terminale et ceux ayant subi une transplantation rénale, courent un risque élevé de contracter la maladie et d’en mourir. Bien que les preuves d’interventions soient limitées, nous avons l’avantage de tirer des enseignements des expériences de ceux qui se trouvent en Chine, en Europe et dans les Amériques. Ce document présente des conseils pour traiter nos patients atteints d’insuffisance rénale aiguë et chronique, y compris ceux sous thérapie de suppléance rénale et le personnel impliqué dans leurs soins. L’accent est mis sur les stratégies de préparation et de prévention. Au fur et à mesure que les preuves et l’expérience s’accumulent, il est probable que des directives actualisées seront nécessaires.https://www.journals.ac.za/index.php/ajn/article/view/4097Publisher's versio

Global epidemiology of hepatitis C virus in dialysis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Dialysis is a replacement therapy for patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Patients on dialysis are at high risk of acquiring hepatitis C virus (HCV), which has become a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. There is a wide range of prevalence of HCV in dialysis populations around the world. It is still unknown how prevalent HCV infection is among worldwide dialysis patients (including those undergoing hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis). A review was conducted to estimate the global epidemiology of hepatitis C in dialysis patients. We searched PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), Global Index Medicus and Web of Science until October 2022. A manual search of references from relevant articles was also conducted. Heterogeneity was evaluated by the χ2 test on Cochrane's Q statistic, and the sources of heterogeneity were investigated using subgroup analysis. In order to assess publication bias, funnel plots and Egger tests were conducted, and pooled HCV prevalence estimates were generated using a DerSimonian and Laird meta-analysis model. The study is registered with PROSPERO under CRD42022237789. We included 634 papers involving 392160 participants. The overall HCV case fatality rate was 38.7% (95% CI = 28.9-49). The global prevalence of HCV infection in dialysis population group were 24.3% [95% CI = 22.6-25.9]. As indicated by UNSD region, country, dialysis type, and HCV diagnostic targeted; Eastern Europe had the highest prevalence of 48.6% [95% CI = 35.2-62], Indonesia had 63.6% [95% CI = 42.9-82], hemodialysis patients had 25.5% [95% CI = 23.8-27.3], and anti-HCV were detected in 24.5% [95% CI = 22.8-26.2]. Dialysis patients, particularly those on hemodialysis, have a high prevalence and case fatality rate of HCV infection. Hemodialysis units need to implement strict infection control measures

Flow diagram for retrieving and processing article selection.

Flow diagram for retrieving and processing article selection.</p