As COVID-19 continues its sweep around the globe, dialysis units have continued to be hotspots for the virus’ spread. Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine hope to combat that threat, through a novel study published May 14, 2020 in JAMA.
Indiana Health

IU study tracks COVID-19 spread in pediatric dialysis unit

May 14, 2020
David Hains, MD

INDIANANAPOLIS—As COVID-19 continues its sweep around the globe, dialysis units have continued to be hotspots for the virus’ spread. Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine hope to combat that threat, through a novel study published May 14, 2020 in JAMA. The study, conducted by members of the Pediatric Nephrology Dialysis Unit at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health, used antibody testing on patients, doctors, nurses and staff within the unit to track symptomatic and asymptomatic spread in a confined space, such as a dialysis unit.

“There are unique exposure challenges in dialysis units that limit social distancing efforts, including open bay formats and rotating nursing assignments,” said David Hains, MD, lead investigator on the study. “Dialysis units find threat among many infectious diseases and COVID-19 is dangerous to patients receiving dialysis.”

Studies from Wuhan, China show the spread of COVID-19 among dialysis units, but this study is the first of its kind in a pediatric setting, as well as being one that used antibody status as a determining factor.

“Our study also highlights the importance of distancing and PPE,” said Hains, division chief of pediatric nephrology in the Department of Pediatrics. “We saw a dramatic decrease in ‘new’ cases as we implemented more aggressive measures to protect our patients and staff. More studies to examine this are underway by a number of people here on campus.”

The group’s study tracked 13 patients, 11 nurses, four staff and 10 physicians. By day 21 of the study, 11 health care workers and three patients had positive COVID-19 antibodies. No participants developed symptoms between days seven and 21.

“This study found a high occurrence of COVID-19 antibodies in individuals interacting in a pediatric dialysis unit. This high rate of occurrence suggests that more health care workers may be antibody-positive than would otherwise be expected,” Hains said. “Testing for the presence of these antibodies can allow for strategically staffing the care of patients who have COVID-19, or who are suspected to be positive, with nurses and physicians who also have tested positive for these antibodies.”

Hains said that a nurse who was participating in the study did not exhibit any of the symptoms of the virus and had a positive antibody test. She subsequently had a COVID-19 PCR test, which came back positive. Because of that test, Hains said, his group was able to react quickly to the situation.

“When she had a COVID-19 test, she was positive. That allowed us to rapidly quarantine her, which may have helped prevent the spread in our unit,” Hains said. “I can see this being utilized in other healthcare settings or arenas where distancing is not easily done.”

As social distancing regulations begin to loosen across the state, Hains and his team, including Department of Pediatrics faculty Andrew Schwaderer, MD, Aaron Carroll, MD, Amy Wilson, MD, and Michelle Starr, MD, plan to continue this study to see the impact these changes have on their numbers. Hains is working with the Richard L. Roudebush Indianapolis VA Medical Center to replicate their study in an adult unit.

Hains DS, Schwaderer AL, Carroll AE, Starr MC, Wilson AC, Amanat F, Krammer F. “Asymptomatic Seroconversion of Immunoglobulins to SARS-CoV-2 in a Pediatric Dialysis Unit.” JAMA. Online May 14, 2020.

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About IU School of Medicine

IU School of Medicine is the largest medical school in the U.S. and is annually ranked among the top medical schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The school offers high-quality medical education, access to leading medical research and rich campus life in nine Indiana cities, including rural and urban locations consistently recognized for livability.

About Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health

For more than 95 years, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health has been one of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals. Each year, Riley at IU Health provides compassionate care, support and comfort to more than 300,000 inpatients and outpatients from across Indiana, the nation and the world. Physicians at Riley at IU Health provide comprehensive care, from the routine to the most complex, in every field of pediatric medicine and surgery. Riley at IU Health is nationally ranked as a top children’s hospital by U.S. News & World Report and is the only nationally ranked children’s hospital in Indiana. Part of Indiana University Health, Riley at IU Health enjoys a unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine, giving our highly skilled physicians access to innovative treatments using the latest research and technology.

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