Risk factors for low humoral response to BNT-162b2 in hemodialysis patients.

INTRODUCTION: Maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients are at higher risk of both infection and mortality associated with the new SARS-CoV-2. Immunization through large-scale vaccination is the cornerstone of infection prevention in this population. This study aims to identify risk factors for low response to the BNT-162b2 (Pfizer BioNTech) vaccine in an HD cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational prospective study of an HD group followed in a Portuguese Public Founded Hemodialysis Center who received BNT-162b2 vaccination. Specific anti-Spike IgG was evaluated as arbitrary units per milliliter (AU/mL) and compared against risk factors. RESULTS: Humoral response evaluated by IgG anti-Spike levels showed a strong correlation with Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and intact parathormone (iPTH) after each inoculation (1st dose: rho = -0.64/0.54; 2nd dose: rho = -0.66/0.63, respectively; p < 0.01 throughout). After completing both doses: 1) no response (NR) was associated with female sex (p < 0.01), lower albumin and iPTH (p = 0.01); 2) weak response (WR) showed higher CCI, older age, lower iPTH, and lower albumin (p = < 0.01, p = 0.03, p < 0.01, p = 0.05, respectively). A binary regression model using CCI, sex (male), and central venous catheter (CVC) was statistically significant in prediction of WR after the 2nd dose with OR (95% CI): 1.81 (1.06 - 3.08); 0.05 (0.01 - 0.65); 13.55 (1.06 - 174.18), respectively (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Older age, higher CCI, lower iPTH and albumin as well as CVC as vascular access were associated with lower response to vaccination in our study. Comorbidity burden is suggested as a preferred indirect method to predict worst response when compared to age alone.

High-grade urothelial carcinoma in a kidney transplant recipient after JC virus nephropathy: The first evidence of JC virus as a potential oncovirus in bladder cancer.

Kidney transplant (KT) recipients have an increased risk for urothelial carcinoma. A role for JC virus (JCV) in human cancers is not yet proved but there is an increasingly reported association between BK virus (BKV) nephropathy and renourinary neoplasms. We report a KT recipient who developed a high-grade urothelial carcinoma 5 years after a diagnosis of JCV nephropathy and 9 years after kidney transplantation. Neoplastic tissue was positive for JCV DNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Immunochemical staining showed strong positivity for cell cycle markers (p16, p53, and Ki67) and for early viral protein JCV large T antigen (JCV LTag; using a broad polyomavirus antibody); however, late viral protein (VP1) stained negative. In contrast, in non-neoplastic urothelium, JCV DNA and all immunochemical markers were negative. These facts suggest that malignancy was induced by JCV. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of urothelial high-grade carcinoma associated with JCV nephropathy in a KT recipient.

Small-vessel vasculitis leading to severe acute kidney injury after ipilimumab: a case report.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are effective monoclonal antibodies used in cancer treatment, particularly in metastatic melanoma. They target proteins responsible for cancer cells evading the immune system. However, their use can lead to immune-related adverse events, with the skin and gastrointestinal tract being commonly affected. Kidney involvement is rarer, with interstitial nephritis being the most common manifestation. In a unique case, kidney biopsy-proven small-vessel vasculitis with arteriolar immune deposition was observed following ipilimumab administration.

Humoral response to BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in peritoneal and hemodialysis patients: A comparative study.

INTRODUCTION: Maintenance dialysis patients (MDP) are at higher risk of exposure with increased mortality from COVID-19 with generalized immunization becoming the cornerstone in prevention. This study aims to compare humoral response between hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational prospective study following HD and PD programs from a Portuguese Center receiving BNT162b2 vaccine. Specific anti-Spike IgG quantification to compare both for absolute value and non-responders (NR) between modalities and against risk factors. RESULTS: Of 67 MDP, 42 were HD and 25 PD patients. PD developed higher antibody titers after both first (median 5.44 vs. 0.99 AU/ml, p < 0.01) and second dose (median 170.43 vs. 65.81 AU/ml; p < 0.01). HD associated with NR after the first dose (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated improved humoral immunogenicity with BNT162b2 in PD compared to HD patients. These differences are attributed to comorbidity burden and age differences, rather than dialysis modality.

Thyroid storm: a case of haemodynamic failure promptly reversed by aggressive medical therapy with antithyroid agents and steroid pulse.

Hyperthyroidism is a common metabolic disorder, although its presentation as an endocrine emergency called thyroid storm is rare. Here we review a case of a thyroid storm as the initial presentation of thyrotoxicosis, with multiple organ failure and haemodynamic collapse due to low-output cardiac dysfunction. Quick intervention with aggressive antithyroid therapy, including steroid pulse, and supportive intensive care measures led to an outstanding improvement and full recovery. The present case clearly shows the beneficial impact of initial clinical suspicion resulting in an early diagnosis and intensive therapy. Moreover, it supports the additional role of steroids to aggressive antithyroid strategy in order to control associated deleterious systemic inflammatory reactions.

Glomerular Filtration Rate and Initiation of Dialysis.

The proportion of patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) initiating dialysis at higher glomerular filtration rate (GFR) has increased over the past decade. Recent data suggest that it may be associated with increased mortality. The goal of this analysis was to compare survival outcomes in patients with early and late start dialysis. We performed a retrospective analysis of hemodialysis (HD) incident patients from 1 January 2010 to 30 September 2014. Patients were classified into two groups by estimated GFR at dialysis initiation (eGFR ≥10: early start and <10 mL/min per 1.73m2 : late start). Logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with early and late dialysis start, and Kaplan-Meier graphs and Cox regression models in survival analysis. In this total incident population (N = 235), 42 patients had an early dialysis start. Compared with the group with an eGFR of <10 mL/min per 1.73 m2 at dialysis start, a Cox model showed an incremental increase in mortality associated with earlier dialysis start (P = 0.027). Independent factors (P < 0.05) associated with mortality in the multivariable Cox model in early dialysis start were: hypertension (HR 9.32, CI: 1.34-17.87), diabetes (HR 1.8, CI: 0.4-13.2) and albumin <3.5 g/dL (HR 1.5, CI: 0.8-6.2). Older patients (HR 0.084, CI: 0.008-0.863) with low phosphorus levels (HR 0.02, CI: 0.0-0.527) also had statistically significant results, although they showed a reduced risk of mortality. Early dialysis initiation was associated with an increased mortality risk, arguing against aggressive early dialysis initiation based primarily on eGFR alone.