Serum soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) as a marker of acute rejection in renal transplant children.

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether or not serum levels of soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) predict acute rejection in pediatric recipients. We studied 51 pediatric renal transplant recipients divided into three groups: Group 1) Biopsy-proven cellular acute rejection (n = 19), Group 2) Graft dysfunction with histological diagnosis other than acute rejection (n = 8) and Group 3) Patients with stable graft function, no biopsy (n = 24). Serum samples for sIL-2R measurement by sandwich ELISA were obtained at the time of renal transplant and at the time of renal biopsy due to graft dysfunction (Groups 1 and 2) or at six months post-transplant in the case of Group 3. The mean ± s.e. serum values of sIL-2R were higher in patients during acute rejection (6539 ± 1802 pg/mL) compared to patients with other causes of graft dysfunction (2217 ± 256 pg/mL) or stable graft function at six months (2183 ± 283 pg/mL) (Kruskal-Wallis p = 0.004). When the sIL2-R levels at the time of transplant were compared to those at the time of biopsy (Groups 1 and 2) or at six months post-transplant in Group 3, there was no significant difference between baseline and biopsy in the acute rejection group (paired t-test = 0.07), whereas there was a significant reduction in Groups 2 and 3.

National survey carried out by the Mexican Society of Transplantation in 2009 regarding deceased-donor kidney allocation.

BACKGROUND: The Mexican Health Law stipulated that the criteria to be taken into account for deceased donor kidney allocation should include the following: "seriousness of recipient's condition, opportunity of transplant, expected benefits, compatibility with recipient, and all other accepted medical criteria." The practical application of these criteria has been perceived by several members of transplantation committees as allowing inequity in kidney allocation. The aims of this study were to learn the opinions of transplantation committees regarding current national allocation policies, and to obtain their opinions about the advantages of a point-score system. METHODS: A prepared questionnaire was validated with the collaboration of a team of transplantation physicians from the Mexican Society of Transplantation (MST). Ninety members of the Society, who represent transplantation groups were invited by mail to participate in the survey. RESULTS: We received 70 answered questionnaires, including 54 that represented the views of their respective internal transplantation committees. In agreement with the legislation and allocation policies currently in force were 50% of responders; however, 60% believed that a point-score system for organ allocation should be mandatory and 75% believed that only patients without a possible live donor should be included on the waiting list to compete for a deceased donor kidney. Also, 84% believed that only patients with a complete pre-transplant protocol, including recent viral serology, as well as clinically relevant pre-transplant evaluations by other specialists such as cardiology, psychiatry/psychology and urology should qualify for allocation of deceased donor organs; 76% believed that patients who compete for a deceased donor organ must have permanent support for immunosuppressive drugs as well as for short-term and long-term medical care. CONCLUSION: The answers gathered through this survey pointed out the necessity for continuous coordinated work between healthcare authorities and members of the MST to achieve the best guidelines for allocation of deceased donor kidneys including a point-score system.

Should a complex uropathy be a contraindication for renal transplantation in children?

BACKGROUND: Anatomic and functional disorders of the lower urinary tract represent up to 40% of the causes of renal failure in children. Several centers avoid renal transplantation in these patients because of the high risk of complications and lower graft survival. The aim of this work was to determine the frequency of urinary tract abnormalities (UTAs) among our pediatric series, and to compare the frequency of complications, function, and long-term graft survival among patients without versus with UTA. METHODS: This single-center, retrospective study compared outcomes between pediatric recipients with versus without UTA. We analyzed demographic features, etiology, pretransplant protocol, urinary tract rehabilitation, incidence of complications, rejection events, as well as graft function and survival. RESULTS: Among 328 pediatric cases performed between 1998 and 2008, we excluded nine patients due to incomplete medical records, analyzing 319 procedures in 312 patients. Sixty-seven patients (21%) had UTA. The average age, weight, and height at the time of grafting were significantly lower in the urologic group: 11.1 versus 12.6 years, 28.8 versus 34.4 kg; 125.4 versus 138.4 cm, respectively. There were significantly higher frequencies of a transperitoneal approach and vena cavae and aortic anastomoses among patients with UTA (P < .001), posing a greater technical challenge in this population. No differences in creatinine levels were observed at 0.5, 1, 2, 5, and 10 years: 1.3 versus 1.6 at 5 years, and 1.4 versus 1.5 at 8 years. Urologic complications, including urinary tract infections (UTIs), occurred among 80.6% of patients with UTA versus 42.1% in the non-UTA group (P < .001). UTIs appeared predominantly in patients with UTA (62.7% vs 35.3%, P < .001), representing a 2.7-fold risk compared with those children transplanted for other reasons. Rejection incidence was similar in both groups (49.8%). There was no significant difference in 5-y (89.8% vs 85%) or 10-year (83% vs 67%) graft survivals between the groups (P = .162). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that with proper interdisciplinary care, graft and patient survivals of pediatric recipients with UTAs were not affected; therefore, these patients should not be rejected for transplantation.

[IgA nephropathy (Berger's disease) in children]. / Nefropatía IgA (enfermedad de Berger) en niños.

IgA nephropathy, also called Berger's disease, is characterized by recurrent gross hematuria or persistent microscopic hematuria, together with mesangial glomerular deposits of IgA found in the renal biopsy. Seven children with IgA nephropathy were studied. Most of them presented initially with recurrent macroscopic hematuria and low or moderate-grade proteinuria, without hypertension or renal function impairment. Only one patient presented with a rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Four patients did not receive any treatment; one of them is in remission, one has improved and two remain with moderate proteinuria and hematuria. One patient with significant proteinuria improved after prednisone and azathioprine treatment. The patient with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis improved his renal function after oral prednisone and intravenous boluses of methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide.

[Nephrotic syndrome associated with AIDS in children]. / Síndrome nefrótico asociado al síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida en niños.

Several renal and renal-related disturbances have been described in patients with AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), in adults and children as well. These are mainly electrolyte and acid-base imbalance, acute renal failure and nephrotic syndrome. The latter is usually steroid non-responder. The renal histopathological lesions described more commonly are minimal change, mesangial hyperplasia and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Herein, we describe a 5 year-old with AIDS, that developed nephrotic syndrome, characterized by edema, ascites, hypoalbuminemia and massive proteinuria. A percutaneous renal biopsy showed mesangial proliferation. She did not respond to a 6 week treatment with prednisone. She died with sepsis after several viral and bacterial infections.

[Acute kidney failure due to stings by Africanized bees]. / Insuficiencia renal aguda por picadura de abejas africanizadas.

Africanized bees are unique in their aggressive behavior, characterized by massive attacks during which the victims are injected an important amount of venom. For this reason, Africanized bees are extremely dangerous. Their venom contains biological toxic substances, mainly mellitin, phospholipases, histamine, hyaluronidase and apamin. Non-sensitized persons that survive a massive attack may develop acute renal failure, as a consequence of the severe hemolysis, rhabdomyolysis and shock. These complications may lead to acute renal tubular necrosis. Also, the clinical pattern and treatment of the acute renal failure secondary to bee stings are discussed.