Efficacy of favipiravir for an end stage renal disease patient on maintenance hemodialysis infected with novel coronavirus disease 2019

Eri Koshi, Shoji Saito, Masaki Okazaki, Yuki Toyama, Takuji Ishimoto, Tomoki Kosugi, Hiroaki Hiraiwa, Naruhiro Jingushi, Takanori Yamamoto, Masayuki Ozaki, Yukari Goto, Atsushi Numaguchi, Yasuhiro Miyagawa, Io Kato, Nobuyuki Tetsuka, Tetsuya Yagi, Shoichi Maruyama

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) refers to infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pathogen, and has spread to pandemic levels since its inception in December 2019. While several risk factors for severe presentation have been identified, the clinical course for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on maintenance hemodialysis with COVID-19 has been unclear. Previous studies have revealed that some antiviral agents may be effective against COVID-19 in the general population, but the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of these agents in ESRD patients remain under investigation. Favipiravir, an antiviral agent developed for treatment of influenza, is one candidate treatment for COVID-19, but suitable dosages for patients with renal insufficiency are unknown. Here we provide a first report on the efficacy of favipiravir in a patient with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis. CASE PRESENTATION: The case involved a 52-year-old woman with COVID-19 who had been undergoing maintenance hemodialysis three times a week for 3 years due to diabetic nephropathy. She had initially been treated with lopinavir/ritonavir and ciclesonide for 5 days, but developed severe pneumonia requiring invasive positive-pressure ventilation. Those antiviral agents were subsequently switched to favipiravir. She recovered gradually, and after 2 weeks was extubated once the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 fell below the limit of detection. Although concentrations of several biliary enzymes were elevated, no major adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: Favipiravir may be an effective option for the treatment of COVID-19-infected patients with ESRD.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)126-131
Number of pages6
JournalCEN case reports
Volume10
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01-02-2021
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Medicine

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