Characteristics of the 6th Japanese wave of COVID-19 in hemodialysis patients.

Background: We examined the clinical characteristics of hemodialysis patients with COVID-19 during the 6th wave of infection (mainly Omicron variant) in Japan. Methods: Hemodialysis patients admitted in January 2022 and thereafter were grouped as the 6th wave group (n = 53), while others were grouped as the 1st-5th wave group (n = 47). Results: The proportion of vaccinations was significantly higher in the 6th wave group than in the 1st-5th wave group (96.2% vs 10.6%, p < 0.0001). Neutralizing antibody and molnupiravir were used more frequently in the 6th wave group (75.5% and 88.7%) than in the 1st-5th wave group (14.9% and 0%, both p < 0.0001). The critical disease was seen in 21.3% of the patients in the 1st-5th wave group and 0% in the 6th wave group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The prognosis of hemodialysis patients in the 6th wave group was good. The vaccination and advances in the treatment may have contributed to the outcomes.

Characteristics of hemodialysis patient with critical COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: The clinical course of hemodialysis patients with COVID-19 still remains unclear. METHODS: Thirty-four hemodialysis patients were retrospectively enrolled. Patients were divided according to disease severity, and clinical symptoms and laboratory data at admission were compared. RESULTS: The serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level, d-dimer level, and white blood cell (WBC) count were significantly higher in the group with critical disease than in the group with mild to severe disease (p = 0.005, p = 0.039, and p = 0.045). The serum CRP level exceeded 10 mg/dl within 7 days of clinical onset in all the cases with critical disease. CONCLUSION: Hemodialysis patients with COVID-19 who have elevated serum CRP and d-dimer levels, and an elevated WBC count at admission and patients with serum CRP levels exceeding 10 mg/dl before day 7 after clinical onset should be carefully monitored for possible progression to critical disease.

Relationship between Dose of Bolus Dialysate Infusion and Blood Pressure in Intermittent Infusion Hemodiafiltration.

BACKGROUND: Intermittent infusion hemodiafiltration is a recently developed convective method of renal replacement therapy using cyclic back-filtration infusion. Quick and regular infusion prevents intradialytic hypotension. However, the optimal dose of bolus dialysate infusion required to stabilize blood pressure has not been reported. Here, we investigated the relationship between the dose of bolus dialysate infusion and blood pressure. SUMMARY: A total of 77 patients on maintenance hemodialysis were enrolled in this study. Dialysate was infused rapidly by backward filtration at a rate of 150 mL/min at 30-min intervals using an automated dialysis machine. The effects with two bolus infusion volumes (100 and 200 mL) were compared, each for an observation period of 2 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured at the start and at the end of each dialysis session, and the highest SBP and lowest SBP measurements were also recorded. Patients were divided according to dry weight into a <52 kg group and a ≥52 kg group, and various parameters were compared between the 100 and 200 mL bolus infusion volumes in each group. Among patients in the <52 kg group, SBP did not vary at any of the time points. However, for patients in the ≥52 kg group, SBP at the end of treatment was significantly lower in the 100-mL group than in the 200-mL group (141 ± 20 vs. 144 ± 21 mm Hg, p = 0.041), and the minimum SBP was also lower in the 100-mL group than in the 200-mL group (127 ± 17 vs. 131 ± 18 mm Hg, p = 0.010). Key Messages: Among patients with a dry weight of ≥52 kg, blood pressure was more stable when a bolus fluid volume of 200 mL was used, compared with a volume of 100 mL. However, for patients with a dry weight of <52 kg, the significance of the difference in bolus fluid volumes disappeared. Thus, the replacement fluid volume might be better determined based on the patient's dry weight. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN 000028145, Registered July 10, 2017.

Adding High-Dose Spironolactone to Tolvaptan Improves Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Due to Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Aortic Stenosis: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND In the setting of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), tolvaptan, a selective V2 receptor antagonist, did not alter plasma renin activity or angiotensin II level, but significantly increased plasma aldosterone by the activation of V1ₐ receptor, suggesting that a high-dose mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) combined with a V2 receptor antagonist might be of interest, especially in ADHF patients. However, in the setting of ADHF, the short-term and long-term efficacy of a high-dose MRA combined with tolvaptan remains unclear. CASE REPORT An 86-year-old woman with a history of chronic HF with a preserved ejection fraction due to obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and severe aortic stenosis was transferred to our hospital complaining of persistent dyspnea (New York Heart Association class IV). She did not respond to standard therapy with tolvaptan (15.0 mg/day). However, the present case demonstrated that adding high-dose spironolactone (100 mg/day) to low-dose tolvaptan (15.0 mg/day) is safe and well tolerated, resulting in an increase in urine output and improvement of the symptoms or signs of ADHF in a patient who was refractory to loop diuretics and tolvaptan. CONCLUSIONS The short- and long-term efficacy of high-dose spironolactone combined with low-dose tolvaptan may be associated with an attenuation of the aldosterone level, which is increased through V1ₐ activation by vasopressin during tolvaptan administration.

Association of admission and discharge anemia status with outcomes in patients hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure: Differences between patients with preserved and reduced ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: In acute decompensated heart failure patients with a preserved or reduced ejection fraction, the association of admission and discharge anemia status with outcomes remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: Of the 4842 patients enrolled in the Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Syndromes (ATTEND) registry, 4433 patients (2017 with a preserved and 2416 with a reduced ejection fraction) were examined to investigate associations among the anemia status at admission and discharge (no anemia, developed anemia, resolved anemia, or persistent anemia), a preserved or reduced ejection fraction and the primary endpoint (all-cause death and readmission for heart failure). In the preserved ejection fraction group, adjusted analysis showed that either developed or persistent anemia was associated with a significantly higher risk of the primary endpoint relative to no anemia (hazard ratio: 1.53; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11-2.11; p=0.009 and hazard ratio: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.26-2.04; p<0.001, respectively), but there was no association between resolved anemia and the primary endpoint (hazard ratio: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.67-1.45; p=0.937). In the reduced ejection fraction group, either developed or resolved anemia was associated with a tendency toward higher risk of the primary endpoint relative to no anemia (hazard ratio: 1.29; 95% CI: 0.95-1.62; p=0.089, and hazard ratio: 1.31; 95% CI: 0.96-1.77; p=0.085, respectively), while persistent anemia was associated with a significantly higher risk of the primary endpoint relative to no anemia (hazard ratio: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.12-1.65; p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: In acute decompensated heart failure patients, the association of admission and discharge anemia status with outcomes differs markedly between patients with a preserved or reduced ejection fraction.

Sex Differences in Left Ventricular Cavity Dilation and Outcomes in Acute Heart Failure Patients With Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: In this study we evaluated the influence of sex on the left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) and adverse outcomes in patients hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure (HF) with a reduced ejection fraction (EF). METHODS: Among the 4842 patients enrolled in the Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Syndromes (ATTEND) registry, 2367 patients (1607 men and 760 women) discharged alive after hospitalization for acute decompensated HF with a reduced EF (defined as a left ventricular EF < 50%) were investigated to assess the association of sex and LVEDD with the primary end point (all-cause death and readmission for HF after discharge). Men and women were separately divided into LVEDD quartiles at discharge (men: LVEDD ≤ 54, 55-60, 61-65, and ≥ 66 mm; women: LVEDD ≤ 48, 49-54, 55-60, and ≥ 61 mm). The median follow-up period after discharge was 524 (range, 385-785) days. RESULTS: Occurrence of the primary end point did not differ between men and women (37.0% vs 37.2%; P = 0.921). After adjustment for multiple comorbidities including left ventricular EF, men with an LVEDD of 61-65 and ≥ 66 mm had a significantly higher risk of the primary end point than men with an LVEDD ≤ 54 mm, indicating a positive association between a larger LVEDD and adverse outcomes. In contrast, in women, the adjusted risk of the primary end point was comparable among the LVEDD quartiles. CONCLUSIONS: Men and women with acute decompensated HF and a reduced EF might show important differences in relation to the association between left ventricular cavity dilation and outcomes.

Ischemic or Nonischemic Functional Mitral Regurgitation and Outcomes in Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure With Preserved or Reduced Ejection Fraction.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR), preserved or reduced ejection fraction (EF), and ischemic or nonischemic origin with outcomes in patients discharged alive after hospitalization for acute decompensated heart failure (HF). Of the 4,842 patients enrolled in the Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Syndromes (ATTEND) registry, 3,357 patients were evaluated to assess the association of FMR, preserved or reduced EF, and ischemic or nonischemic origin with the primary end point (all-cause death and readmission for HF after discharge). At the time of discharge, FMR was assessed semiquantitatively (classified as none, mild, or moderate to severe) by color Doppler analysis of the regurgitant jet area. According to multivariable analysis, in the ischemic group, either mild or moderate to severe FMR in patients with a preserved EF had a significantly higher risk of the primary end point than patients without FMR (hazard ratio [HR] 1.60; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12 to 2.29; p = 0.010 and HR 1.98; 95% CI 1.30 to 3.01; p = 0.001, respectively). In patients with reduced EF with an ischemic origin, only moderate to severe FMR was associated with a significantly higher risk of the primary end point (HR 1.67; 95% CI 1.11 to 2.50; p = 0.014). In the nonischemic group, there was no significant association between FMR and the primary end point in patients with either a preserved or reduced EF. In conclusion, among patients with acute decompensated HF with a preserved or reduced EF, the association of FMR with adverse outcomes may differ between patients who had an ischemic or nonischemic origin of HF.

Gender Differences in Anemia and Survival in Patients Hospitalized for Acute Decompensated Heart Failure With Preserved or Reduced Ejection Fraction.

In patients with acute decompensated heart failure (HF), the influence of gender on anemia, left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), and outcomes is unclear. We evaluated the association of anemia and left ventricular EF with survival in men or women hospitalized for acute decompensated HF. Of the 4,842 patients enrolled in the Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Syndromes registry, 4,215 patients (2,450 men and 1,765 women) discharged alive after hospitalization for acute decompensated HF were enrolled to evaluate the association of gender, anemia (hemoglobin <13.0 g/dl for men and <12.0 g/dl for women) at discharge, and a preserved or reduced EF with all-cause death or cardiac death after discharge. Men or women were divided into 4 groups based on left ventricular EF (preserved or reduced EF) and anemia status at discharge. The median follow-up period after discharge was 524 days (384 to 791). After adjustment for multiple co-morbidities, there was no adverse influence of anemia in men with a preserved EF, whereas anemia was an independent predictor of all-cause death in men with a reduced EF. Conversely, anemia was an independent predictor of all-cause death in women with a preserved EF but not in women with a reduced EF. With respect to cardiac death, multivariable analyses revealed highly similar trends as those for all-cause death in patients of both genders. In conclusion, in acute decompensated patients with HF with a preserved or reduced EF, there were marked differences between men and women with respect to the association of anemia and left ventricular EF with survival.

Gender Differences in Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction and Outcomes Among Patients Hospitalized for Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

In patients with acute decompensated heart failure (HF), the association of gender and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) with clinical outcomes has not been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate gender differences in LVEF and adverse outcomes across the full spectrum of LVEF in patients hospitalized for acute decompensated HF. Of the 4,842 patients enrolled in the Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Syndromes registry, 4,231 patients (2,461 men and 1,770 women) discharged alive after hospitalization for acute decompensated HF were investigated to assess the association of gender and LVEF with the primary end point (all-cause death and readmission for HF). Men or women were divided into 5 groups based on the LVEF at hospital discharge (<30%, 30% to <40%, 40% to <50%, 50% to <60%, and ≥60%). The median follow-up period after discharge was 523 (384 to 791) days. The frequency of the primary end point did not differ between men and women (36.5% vs 38.1%, p = 0.291). After adjustment for multiple comorbidities, male patients with an LVEF <30%, 30% to <40%, 40% to <50%, or 50% to <60% had a significantly higher risk of the primary end point than those with an LVEF ≥60%, indicating an inverse association between LVEF and adverse outcomes. In contrast, the adjusted risk of the primary end point was similar for all 5 LVEF groups of female patients. In conclusions, the association between LVEF and outcomes differs markedly between men and women hospitalized for acute decompensated HF, although event-free survival is similar for both genders.

Humoral response against host-mimetic homologous epitopes of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in Japanese multiple sclerosis patients.

Several works have demonstrated the existence of a link between Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) and MS in Italy. In this study, we analyzed the serology of MAP in a Japanese population while looking at several markers of MAP. Fifty MS patients, 12 clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) patients, 30 other neurological disorders (OND) patients, and 50 healthy controls (HCs) were tested using ELISA for the presence of IgG antibodies toward immunodominant epitopes MAP_0106c121-132, homologues MBP85-98, homologues IRF5424-432, MAP_402718-32, and MAP_2694295-303. MAP-positive patients were also analyzed in relation to their clinical/demographic characteristics. Amongst all peptides, only antibodies against MAP_2694295-303 were more prevalent in MS patients (30%), as compared to OND patients (3%) (p = 0.009; area under roc curve (AUC) = 0.61) and HCs (2%) (p = 0.0004; AUC = 0.65) and in CIS patients (25%) compared to HCs (p = 0.023; AUC = 0.55). Logistic regression analysis showed a higher frequency of anti-MAP_2694295-303 antibodies in the sera of oligoclonal bands positive MS patients (p = 0.2; OR = 2, 95%CI: 0.55-7.7). These findings support the view that MAP could act as a risk factor or a triggering agent of MS in some Japanese patients with a genetic susceptibility to the mycobacterium.

Seroprevalence of IgG1 and IgG4 class antibodies against Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in Japanese population.

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is the established causative agent of Johne's disease in cattle and other ruminants, and it has also been speculated to be a putative etiological agent of several human autoimmune diseases. It is acknowledged that dairy products deriving from infected animals play a role (could be vehicles) in exposing humans to MAP. MAP could stimulate the human immune system by means of their complex antigen (in the case of lipids, multivalent antigens) and may modulate it, acting as adjuvant molecules such as Freund's complete adjuvant. The immune system might be abnormally stimulated by the constant presence of MAP antigens (for example, in the dairy products), and this might be particularly relevant in genetically predisposed individuals. However, there is limited understanding about the current human exposure to MAP. The present study analyzed the antibody recognition profile of MAP lipophilic antigens in a cohort of 126 healthy Japanese. We measured the serum levels of total immunoglobulin G (IgG) and subclasses targeting MAP surface antigens through ethanol vortex indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EVELISA) by using serum absorbed with Mycobacterium phlei. Elevated IgG (especially IgG1 and IgG4) responses were observed in 14% of the sera. To assess the specificity of EVELISA, the same samples were analyzed by means of a commercially available Johnelisa II kit. It was noteworthy that a high degree of correlation was observed when comparing the two methodologies (rs=0.7, p<0.0001). Moreover, in order to investigate the specificity of the binding, inhibition assay experiments were carried out also searching for antibodies against Bacillus Calmette-Guérin antigens, but no cross-reaction was observed. The result obtained represents the first evidence implying that the Japanese population is exposed to MAP, and additionally the existence of a foodborne chain of exposure that transmits MAP antigens to humans.

Effects of the ankle-brachial blood pressure index and skin perfusion pressure on mortality in hemodialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: Clinically, the ankle-brachial blood pressure index (ABI) and skin perfusion pressure (SPP) are used to screen for subclinical peripheral artery disease. However, the association between the SPP and mortality in hemodialysis patients has not been previously reported. We investigated these factors and compared the ABI and SPP in patients receiving hemodialysis. METHODS: A total of 102 patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis were enrolled in this study. The ABI was determined using an ABI-form (Colin, Japan). The SPP was measured using a SensiLase(TM) PAD3000 (Kaneka, Osaka, Japan). RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 3.2 ± 1.4 years. A multivariate Cox analysis identified a low ABI (p=0.019) and a low SPP (p=0.047) as being independent predictors of mortality. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of the ABI revealed a cutoff point of 1.1 and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.79, with a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 62%. A ROC analysis of the SPP revealed a cutoff point of 54.0 mmHg and an AUC of 0.71, with a sensitivity of 55% and a specificity of 84%. CONCLUSION: Both low ABI and SPP values were found to be independent risk factors for mortality among hemodialysis patients. The cutoff point for ABI as a predictor of mortality was 1.1, while that for SPP was 54.0 mmHg.

Impact of lanthanum carbonate on cortical bone in dialysis patients with adynamic bone disease.

Among the most serious problems in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is fragility of cortical bone caused by cortical thinning and increased cortical porosity; the cortical fragility is sometimes irreversible, with fractures generally initiating from cortical bone. Therefore, development of treatments for problems of cortical bone is urgently desired. Cortical bone has the three surfaces, including the periosteal surface, intracortical spaces and endocortical surface. Bone turnover at the endocortical surface and intracortical resorption spaces are increased as compared with that at cancellous surface. Bone growth sometimes depends on apposition at the periosteal surface. We treated hyperphosphatemia in two hemodialysis patients with adynamic bone disease with 750-1500 mg/day of lanthanum carbonate, which is a non-calcium containing phosphate binder; the treatment resulted in a decrease of the serum phosphorus levels (P levels), without significant change of the serum intact parathyroid hormone levels. We now report that treatment of these patients with lanthanum carbonate increased mineralization of the periosteal surface, increased bone mass within the intracortical resorption spaces and increased mineralization of the minimodeling surface at the endocortical surface. In addition, woven bone volume in cortical bone was decreased and mineralization of bone units, namely, osteons, was increased. Although these findings were not observed across all surfaces of the cortical bone in the patients, it is expected that lanthanum carbonate would increase the cortical stability in CKD patients, with consequent reduction in the fracture rate in these patients.

Association between high-molecular-weight adiponectin and bone mineral density in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder is a regular complication seen in hemodialysis patients and leads to substantial increases in the fracture rate, morbidity, and mortality. Discovered a few years ago, several clinical studies have shown a negative correlation between adiponectin and bone mineral density (BMD) independently of confounding factors. The relationship between adiponectin and bone metabolism in hemodialysis patients has not been fully described yet. We conducted this study to investigate the relationship between serum adiponectin concentration and the BMD in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: We enrolled 92 hemodialysis patients who were receiving maintenance hemodialysis therapy at Towa Hospital. A peripheral blood sample was obtained, and standard biological data and the serum high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin level were measured. BMD was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans. RESULTS: In male hemodialysis patients, BMD was negatively related to age (r = -0.299, P = 0.012), duration of hemodialysis therapy (r = -0.31, P = 0.009), and log [HMW-adiponectin] (r = -0.31, P = 0.009) and positively related to body weight (r = 0.332, P = 0.004) and BMI (r = 0.297, P = 0.013). In female hemodialysis patients, BMD was negatively related to age (r = -0.499, P = 0.018) and log [HMW-adiponectin] (r = -0.46, P = 0.030) and positively related to triglyceride (r = 0.491, P = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: HMW adiponectin may affect bone metabolism in both male and female hemodialysis patients.

Association of peripheral artery disease and long-term mortality in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common complication in hemodialysis patients. The ankle-brachial blood pressure index (ABI) has been widely used to screen for subclinical PAD. In the present study, we investigated the association between ABI and long-term (up to 8.8 years) mortality among hemodialysis patients. METHODS: A total of 86 consecutive patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis who underwent an ABI examination between 2001 and 2003 were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Patients with an ABI of less than 0.9 were considered as having PAD; those with an ABI of more than 0.9 in both legs were considered as being free from PAD. We examined the relationship between mortality and several risk factors. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 43 deaths were recorded. In the univariate regression analysis, the mortality hazard ratio (HR) of patients with PAD was 1.67 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-2.28). Other predictive variables for mortality included male gender, age, and diabetes mellitus (P = 0.006, P = 0.024, and P = 0.023, respectively). A multivariate Cox analysis identified PAD and male gender as independent predictors of mortality (P = 0.033 and P = 0.028, respectively). The impact of age and diabetes mellitus on mortality was no longer significant in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: After a relatively long-term observation period, a multivariate analysis indicated that PAD acted independently of other risk factors, including advanced age and the presence of diabetes mellitus. ABI measurements can be used to identify high-risk hemodialysis patients requiring intensive follow-up care.

Prevalence of intracranial artery calcification in hemodialysis patients--a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial artery calcification has been reported to be an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke. Also, existence of a positive correlation has been reported between the presence of arterial calcification and that of ischemic changes in the area supplied by such arteries. While intracranial artery calcification has frequently been observed on computed tomographic (CT) images of the brain in hemodialysis patients, its prevalence has not been reported previously. We investigated our hemodialysis outpatients to determine the prevalence of intracranial artery calcification in these patients in comparison with that in healthy controls. METHODS: Brain CT examinations were performed in 107 patients under maintenance hemodialysis therapy. For comparison, 43 representatives of the general population who underwent a brain CT examination as part of a health checkup were also studied as control subjects. RESULTS: Intracranial calcifications were more frequently found among hemodialysis patients (87.9%) than among control subjects (53.5%, P = 0.0003), and the prevalences of calcification in each of the intracranial arteries in the two groups were as follows: vertebral artery (65.5% vs. 25.6%, P = 0.0002), internal carotid artery (62.1% vs. 18.6%, P < 0.0001), basilar artery (34.5% vs. 34.9%, ns), anterior cerebral artery (0 vs. 2.3%, ns), middle cerebral artery (24.1% vs. 20.9%, ns), and posterior cerebral artery (5.2% vs. 4.7%, ns). CONCLUSIONS: A much higher rate of intracranial artery calcification was observed in hemodialysis patients than in the general population, and the most frequently involved sites of calcification in these patients were the relatively large intracranial arteries.

[Successful rituximab therapy for MALT lymphoma complicating cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis].

We report a case of nephrotic syndrome associated with MALT lymphoma. The patient was a 66-year-old woman who had a 21-year history of MALT lymphoma. She was admitted to our hospital for the evaluation of systemic edema and purpura during two months. Urinary protein excretion was quantified at 3.3 g/24h. Serum creatinine was elevated to 1.63 mg/dL. An immunoserological investigation showed the presence of IgM-kappa type monoclonal cryoglobulin accompanied by a decreased serum complement level. HCV infection was negative. A renal biopsy specimen revealed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) with cryoglobulin deposition and focal atypical lymphoid cells infiltration in the renal interstitium. Immunoperoxidase staining of the atypical lymphoid cell population was positive for CD20 and CD79. Combined therapy with prednisolone, plasma exchange and rituximab was commenced. Her proteinuria disappeared and renal function improved after rituximab therapy. In our case, nephrotic syndrome due to cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis was successfully treated mainly by rituximab.

Treatment of a serotype-1 hepatitis C virus infection using interferon-beta in a patient with a high RNA titer who had been receiving long-term hemodialysis therapy.

A serotype-1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in a 67-year-old hemodialysis patient was treated using interferon (IFN)-beta. Although the patient had a high RNA titer (5.1 log IU/mL) and had been receiving long-term hemodialysis therapy (30 years), the initial 4-week IFN-beta administration enabled a rapid virological response without any major adverse effects. However, the final outcome after 24 weeks of IFN beta treatment was classified as unchanged based on the criteria of the Conference on Intractable Hepatitis. Here, we describe our experience treating HCV infection using IFN-beta and discuss the indications for such therapy.

[Morphological analysis of bone dynamics and metabolic bone disease. A case report of recurrent renal hyperparathyroidism].

A 39-years-old chronic hemodialysis patient who developed recurrent hyperparathyroidism after total parathyroidectomy with immediate autotransplantation (PTX-AT) is now reported. The patient had undergone bilateral nephrectomy due to bilateral renal cell carcinoma at 4 and 5 years after the initiation of dialysis, followed by the treatment with interleukin-2 administration. Secondary hyperparathyroidism was treated by PTX-AT, followed by confirmation of reduced bone turnover. The parathyroid glands were huge and the total weight of the parathyroid glands was 14.3 gr. Pathological examination revealed nodular hyperplastic parathyroid tissue in all four glands. However, the serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) increased again at 7 years after the PTX, and bone biopsy revealed high turnover bone disease. The recurrent hyperparathyroidism was treated with cinacalcet hydrochloride to reduce the serum iPTH level.