Pathological Features of Recovery or Progression in Acute Tubular Necrosis: Single Centre Study.

Acute tubular necrosis (ATN) is the most important and frequent cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). Controversy exists concerning the role of renal biopsy in the evaluation of ATN prognosis. We aim in our study to evaluate the role of renal biopsy for the detection of recovery and progression and rate of recovery of ATN. The study was designed to include all biopsies with the diagnosis in ATN in adults >21-year-old, from January 2016 to December 2018. Biopsies were recruited retrospectively and were reviewed by three pathologists and quantitated. Four histological ATN features were evaluated. Flattening cells, distension or dilatation, debris, and vacuolation and for each a score were attributed as follows: 0 = less than 5% of section, 1 = 6%-25%, 2 = 26%-50%, 3 = >50%. Thirty-five patients with 35 renal biopsies were analyzed. Flattening was seen <5% in nine patients, 6%-25% in 15 patients, 26%-50% in six patients. and >50% in five patients. Dilatation was seen <5% in 11 patient, 6%-25% in 10 patients, 26%-50% seen in six patients, and >50% in eight patients. The presence of debris was seen in <5% in 12 patients, 6%-25% in 12 patients, 26%-50% seen in six patients, and >50% seen in five patient. Vacuolation was seen in 5% in eight patients, 6%-25% in 14 patients, 26%-50% in seven patients, and >50% in six patients. It was found that flattening <5% and dilatation <5% and dilatation >50% in renal biopsy are the good indicators for recovery and good prognosis of cases of ATN, in addition debris <5% and >50% and vacuolation <5% are also good indicators for recovery and good prognosis of cases of ATN. On the other hand, flattening from 6% to 25% and from 26% to 50%, dilatation from 6% to 25%, debris from 26% to 50% and vacuolation >50% are also indicators for delayed recovery and poor prognosis of cases of ATN. Renal biopsy in AKI with the diagnosis of ATN with scoring system of flattening, dilatation, debris, and vacuolation can point to indication of recovery or progression of these cases.

[Therapeutics for acute tubular necrosis in 2020]. / Prise en charge de la nécrose tubulaire aiguë en 2020.

Acute kidney injury is a major cause of in-hospital morbidity and mortality because of the serious nature of the underlying illnesses and the high incidence of complications. The two major causes of acute kidney injury that occur in the hospital are prerenal disease and acute tubular necrosis. Acute tubular necrosis has a histological definition, even if a kidney biopsy is rarely performed. Kidney injuries occurring during acute tubular necrosis are underlined by different pathophysiological mechanisms that emphasize the role of hypoxia on the tubular cells such as apoptosis, cytoskeleton disruption, mitochondrial function and the inflammation mediated by innate immune cells. The microcirculation and the endothelial cells are also the targets of hypoxia-mediated impairment. Repair mechanisms are sometimes inadequate because of pro-fibrotic factors that will lead to chronic kidney disease. Despite all the potential therapeutic targets highlighted by the pathophysiological knowledge, further works remain necessary to find a way to prevent these injuries.

Acute kidney injury as the presenting complaint of ceftazidime-induced immune-mediated haemolysis.

We present the case of ceftazidime-induced immune-mediated haemolysis with associated acute kidney injury in a 43-year-old woman. The patient initially presented to the regional cystic fibrosis centre for treatment of an infective exacerbation of cystic fibrosis. After initiation of ceftazidime (a third-generation cephalosporin), renal function rapidly deteriorated and a fall in haemoglobin was noted. On transfer to our care, a haemolysis screen identified immune-mediated haemolysis, and renal biopsy confirmed the finding of acute tubular necrosis secondary to haem pigment. The patient's renal function deteriorated such that she required haemodialysis, although she subsequently recovered and is now dialysis-independent. Although acute haemolytic reactions are recognised with third-generation cephalosporins, this is the first reported case of ceftazidime-induced immune-mediated haemolysis with acute kidney injury. Given the increased frequency of cephalosporin usage, it is important for both nephrologists and general physicians to be aware of this rare but very serious complication.

Renal subcapsular transplantation of hepatocyte growth factor-producing mesothelial cell sheets improves ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a clinically important cause of acute kidney injury leading to chronic kidney disease. Furthermore, IRI in renal transplantation still remains a risk factor for delayed graft function. Previous studies on IRI have had some limitations, and few of the studied therapies have been clinically applicable. Therefore, a new method for treating renal IRI is needed. We examined the effects of human mesothelial cell (MC) sheets and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-transgenic MC (tg MC) sheets transplanted under the renal capsule in an IRI rat model and compared these two treatments with the intravenous administration of HGF protein and no treatment through serum, histological, and mRNA analyses over 28 days. MC sheets and HGF-tg MC sheets produced HGF protein and significantly improved acute renal dysfunction, acute tubular necrosis, and survival rate. The improvement in necrosis was likely due to the cell sheets promoting the migration and proliferation of renal tubular cells, as observed in vitro. Expression of α-smooth muscle actin at day 14 and renal fibrosis at day 28 after IRI were significantly suppressed in MC sheet and HGF-tg MC sheet treatment groups compared with the other groups, and these effects tended to be reinforced by the HGF-tg MC sheets. These results suggest that the cell sheets locally and continuously affect renal paracrine factors, such as HGF, and support recovery from acute tubular necrosis and improvement of renal fibrosis in chronic disease.

Application of new acute kidney injury biomarkers in human randomized controlled trials.

The use of novel biomarkers of acute kidney injury (AKI) in clinical trials may help evaluate treatments for AKI. Here we explore potential applications of biomarkers in simulated clinical trials of AKI using data from the TRIBE-AKI multicenter, prospective cohort study of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. First, in a hypothetical trial of an effective therapy at the time of acute tubular necrosis to prevent kidney injury progression, use of an indirect kidney injury marker such as creatinine compared to a new direct biomarker of kidney injury reduces the proportion of true acute tubular necrosis cases enrolled. The result is a lower observed relative risk reduction with the therapy, and lower statistical power to detect a therapy effect at a given sample size. Second, the addition of AKI biomarkers (interleukin-18 and NGAL) to clinical risk factors as eligibility criteria for trial enrollment in early AKI has the potential to increase the proportion of patients who will experience AKI progression and reduce trial cost. Third, we examine AKI biomarkers as outcome measures for the purposes of identifying therapies that warrant further testing in larger, multicenter, multi-country trials. In the hypothetical trial of lower cardiopulmonary bypass time to reduce the risk of postoperative AKI, the sample size required to detect a reduction in AKI is lower if new biomarkers are used to define AKI rather than serum creatinine. Thus, incorporation of new biomarkers of AKI has the potential to increase statistical power, decrease the sample size, and lower the cost of AKI trials.

Renal Klotho expression in patients with acute kidney injury is associated with the severity of the injury.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The potential physiologic roles of Klotho in acute kidney injury (AKI) have recently been demonstrated in animal models. However, to date, there have been no human studies investigating the expression of renal Klotho in AKI. METHODS: We retrospectively collected biopsy specimens and clinical data of AKI patients between January 2001 and December 2012. Klotho expression was determined by immunohistochemical staining, and the clinical-pathological correlation was examined. RESULTS: Among the 34 patients diagnosed with acute tubular necrosis or acute tubulointerstitial nephritis, 21 patients without chronic histological lesions were included. The mean age was 37.3 ± 18.5 years and the mean peak creatinine level was 8.2 ± 5.5 mg/dL. In total, 10 patients (47.6%) received temporary renal replacement therapy (RRT); however, 17 patients (81%) showed functional recovery with creatinine levels of < 1.3 mg/dL after 1 month. The intensity of Klotho expression was scored as a percentage of Klotho-positive area. The renal Klotho score showed a significant negative correlation with the initial or peak creatinine level. When the patients were divided into three groups according to the Klotho score (low, middle, high), the low group had a significantly higher peak creatinine level and a more frequent requirement for RRT. However, the Klotho score was not a significant predictor of renal recovery. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that renal Klotho expression in humans decreased significantly according to the severity of AKI, regardless of the etiology, and that low expression was associated with a poor short-term outcome.

Acute renal failure following multiple wasp stings.

Wasp bite induced ATN from direct venom toxicity is very rare. We report two such cases. The first case was a 14 years old boy admitted with oliguria following multiple wasp stings. He had grossly deranged renal function requiring hemodialysis support. The other patient was a 24 years old man admitted with similar history and also required hemodialysis support. Renal biopsy in both cases was consistent with acute tubular necrosis without any casts or other changes, suggesting direct venom toxicity. Both the patients recovered completely after a period of few weeks, highlighting the importance of early detection and treatment of renal failure from wasp venom.

Acute oxalate nephropathy associated with Clostridium difficile colitis.

We report the case of a 69-year-old man who presented with acute kidney injury in the setting of community-acquired Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea and biopsy-proven acute oxalate nephropathy. We discuss potential mechanisms, including increased colonic permeability to oxalate. We conclude that C difficile-associated diarrhea is a potential cause of acute oxalate nephropathy.

Acute renal failure by ingestion of Euphorbia paralias.

Euphorbia paralias is known in traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent, a purgative and for its local anesthetic property. To the best our knowledge, renal toxicity of this substance has not been previously reported. In this paper, we report the case of a 29-year-old male who developed renal damage following ingestion of Euphorbia paralias. He had been on follow-up for nephrotic syndrome since 1986, although irregularly, with several relapses but each responding well to steroid therapy. A kidney biopsy had not been performed earlier due to refusal by the patient. He was off steroids since April 2008 because the patient developed osteoporosis. He was admitted with general malaise and oliguria to our department in May 2009, following repeated vomiting and watery diarrhea for three days. On examination, he was edematous but had normal vital signs except for a pulse rate of 120/min. Hemoglobin was only 5.5 g/dL but with normal white cell and platelet counts. Blood biochemistry showed evidence of advanced renal failure with a serum creatinine level of 1835 µmol/L and urea at 44.6 mmol/L, sodium of 132 µmol/L and potassium at 4.3 mmol/L. He had features of nephrotic syndrome with severe hypoproteinamia and 24-h urinary protein of 10.45 g. Ultrasonography revealed enlarged kidneys with a reduced echogenecity of the medulla and the papillae. Subsequently, after hemodialysis with blood transfusion, a kidney biopsy was performed that showed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis associated with an acute tubular injury. On intensive interrogation, the patient gave a history of ingesting boiled Euphorbia paralias as a native treatment for edema, ten days prior to the onset of the current illness. A diagnosis of acute renal failure (ARF) resulting from the possible nephrotoxic effect of Euphorbia paralias poisoning was made. He was treated with intermittent hemodialysis and corticosteroids. Serum creatinine values improved after 48 days. At six months following the intoxication, serum creatinine of the patient was 240 µmol/L. In cases of unexplained ARF, a toxic mechanism should always be considered and acute renal failure caused by Euphorbia paralias should be included as a cause if renal toxicity is suspected in those places where it is being used as a native medicine.

Retooling the creatinine clearance equation to estimate kinetic GFR when the plasma creatinine is changing acutely.

It is often desirable to estimate the GFR (eGFR) at the bedside to assess AKI or renal recovery. Current eGFR equations estimate kidney function when the plasma creatinine is stable, but do not work if the plasma creatinine is changing rapidly. To analyze kidney function in the acute setting, a simple formula is proposed that requires only a modest number of inputs that are readily obtainable from clinical laboratory data. The so-called kinetic eGFR (KeGFR) formula is derived from the initial creatinine content, volume of distribution, creatinine production rate, and the quantitative difference between consecutive plasma creatinines over a given time. For that period, the deciphered creatinine excretion then yields the creatinine clearance rate. The additional formula variables needed are any steady-state plasma creatinine, the corresponding eGFR by an empirical formula, and the maximum increase in creatinine per day if anuric. The kinetic formula complements clinical intuition but also adds a quantitative and visual dimension to the assessment of kidney function, demonstrated by its analysis of GFRs underlying the plasma creatinine fluctuations in several scenarios of AKI or renal recovery. Deduced from first principles regarding the physiology of creatinine balance, the KeGFR formula enhances the fundamental clearance equation with the power and versatility to estimate the kidney function when the plasma creatinine is varying acutely.

Acute kidney injury due to acute cortical necrosis following a single wasp sting.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) can develop after multiple wasp or bee stings. The etiology is the acute tubular necrosis secondary to shock, pigment toxicity, interstitial nephritis, or direct nephrotoxicity of venom. We report a 40-year-old female who presented with oliguric AKI after a single wasp sting on her hand. Her history, examination, and investigations did not support any of the established causes of AKI in such settings. She did not improve with supportive management and dialysis, and kidney biopsy showed acute cortical necrosis (ACN). This is the first report of ACN after a single wasp sting.

Safety and diagnostic yield of renal biopsy in the intensive care unit.

PURPOSE: Renal biopsy (RB) is occasionally performed in critically ill patients. The safety and impact of RB in this setting have not been reported. METHODS: A 10-year (2000-2009) retrospective multicentre study was conducted in ten French intensive care units (ICU) on patients who underwent RB during their management. Medical files were retrieved for data analysis. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients underwent an RB of which 68 (88 %) were on a native kidney and 9 (12 %) on a transplanted kidney. Percutaneous ultrasound-guided RB was used in most cases (87 %). Fifty-seven per cent of the patients were on mechanical ventilation at the time of RB. RB-related complications occurred in 17 (22 %) patients, two were graded as severe (requirement for kidney embolization, eventually successful). In 35 (51 %) non-transplanted patients, RB established a specific diagnosis other than acute tubular necrosis (ATN), which was diagnosed in only 18 % of patients. In the remaining patients, only non-specific lesions were observed. Therapeutic modifications followed RB in 14 (21 %) non-transplanted patients. Presence of signs of systemic disease involving the renal tract, occurrence of renal failure before hospital admission, and absence of any factor usually associated with ATN significantly predicted the presence of a specific diagnosis at RB other than ATN. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, the contribution of RB to diagnosis and treatment was undeniable, but at the expense of frequent adverse events although most of them were not considered severe.