The Significance of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as an Inflammatory Marker of COVID-19 in Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

ne of the emerging-rapidly spreading- leading causes of pneumonia worldwide is a novel Corona virus, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing coronavirus disease 2019. End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients are at high risk for coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) associated morbidity and mortality. Infection is the second leading cause of hospitalization and death of ESRD patients, and pneumonia consists 20% of infection. Nevertheless, patients on dialysis also have higher mortality rate and higher medical burden than non-dialysis individuals. Given the immunocompromised nature of ESRD and their high comorbidity burden, patients with ESRD are among the most vulnerable populations to COVID-19 -especially given the impractical nature of social distancing rules for patients who need in-centre hemodialysis. Traditional SARS-CoV-2 detection procedures, like those used for other types of viral infectious pneumonia, rely on genetic molecular assays (reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction [rRT-PCR]), immunoassay, and computed tomography (CT).