Prevalence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Asymptomatic End Stage Renal Disease Patients on Hemodialysis and Dialysis Providers During Sars-Cov-19 Spike in Lahore

Abstract

Background and objective: The global pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (SARS-COV-2) poses a
significant threat to both hemodialysis staff and patients. However, the prevalence of SARS-COV-2 among
asymptomatic end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on chronic hemodialysis (MHD) and healthcare staff
including nurses and technicians in dialysis unit remains uncertain. Given that hemodialysis patients and
dialysis nurses are particularly prone in congregate settings, the objective of this study was to investigate how
widespread SARS-COV-2 was within two specific hemodialysis units located at Jinnah Hospital Lahore
(JHL).
Methods: This cross-sectional study involved the participation of 198 maintenance hemodialysis patients
with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and 83 dialysis staff members. These patients or staff members did not
have any symptoms at the time of testing. Testing was conducted using qualitative reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on nasal & pharyngeal swabs collected from June 18th to June 23rd,
2020.
Results: Out of the total 281 participants, 45 dialysis patients from a total of 198 (22.7%) and 10 dialysis staff
members from a total of 83 (12%) were found to be SARS-COV-2 positive. Combining both staff and
patients, the overall prevalence of SARS-COV-2 was 55(19.8%). The mortality rate among the infected
patients was 6.6% (3 out of 45).
Conclusion: This study demonstrate a significant frequency of SARS-CoV-2 among hemodialysis staff and
patients in Lahore, Pakistan.