Age and multimorbidities as poor prognostic factors for COVID-19 in hemodialysis: a Lebanese national study.

Background: Hemodialysis patients with COVID-19 have been reported to be at higher risk for death than the general population. Several prognostic factors have been identified in the studies from Asian, European or American countries. This is the first national Lebanese study assessing the factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 mortality in hemodialysis patients.

Thrombophilic Genetic Anomalies and Their Association With Dialysis Initiation Age in a Cohort of Lebanese Hemodialysis Patients.

Objectives: The relationship between chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease is complex and bidirectional. This relationship may be partially linked to thrombophilic genetic anomalies that may predispose to the progression of both diseases.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed blood samples from 102 Lebanese patients with end-stage renal disease and undergoing hemodialysis and 20 randomly selected healthy volunteers for frequencies of 12 cardiovascular disease gene mutations and traditional risk factors.

Prospective monitoring of cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, BK virus, and JC virus infections on belatacept therapy after a kidney transplant.

Objectives: Few data regarding viral replication in patients receiving belatacept are available. The aim of this single-center study was to compare the incidence of viral infections (cytomegalovirus, Epstein Barr virus, BK virus, and JC virus), in 62 de novo kidney transplant patients enrolled in the BENEFIT studies, receiving either belatacept (n=42) or cyclosporine (n=20).

Materials And Methods: By means of polymerase chain reaction, belatacept-treated patients were tested for cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, BK virus, and JC virus infections monthly for 36 months, monthly for the first 6 months, and then quarterly for 36 months in cyclosporine-treated patients.