Comparison of an in house and a commercial real-time polymerase chain reaction targeting Toxoplasma gondii RE gene using various samples collected from patients in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic protozoan parasite that can infect all warm-blooded animals including humans and cause serious clinical manifestations. Toxoplasmosis can be diagnosed using histological, serological, and molecular methods. In this study, we aimed to detect T. gondii RE gene in various human samples by in house and commercial real time polymerase chain reactions. METHODS: A total of 38 suspected cases of toxoplasmosis [peripheral blood (n:12), amnion fluid (n:11), tissue (n:9), cerebrospinal fluid (n:5), and intraocular fluid (n:1)] were included to the study. An in house and a commercial RT-PCR were applied to investigate the T. gondii RE gene in these samples. RESULTS: The compatibility rate of the two tests was 94.7% (37/38). When the commercial RT-PCR kit was taken as reference, the sensitivity and specificity of in house RT-PCR test was 87.5 and 100%. When the in house RT-PCR test was taken as reference, the commercial RT-PCR kit has 100% sensitivity and 96.8% specificity. Incompatibility was detected in only in a buffy coat sample with high protein content. CONCLUSIONS: Both the commercial and in house RT-PCR tests can be used to investigate T. gondii RE gene in various clinical specimens with their high sensitivity and specificity. In house RT-PCR assay can be favorable due to cost savings compared to using the commercial test.

Reduction of Dialysate Calcium Level Reduces Progression of Coronary Artery Calcification and Improves Low Bone Turnover in Patients on Hemodialysis.

Exposure to high Ca concentrations may influence the development of low-turnover bone disease and coronary artery calcification (CAC) in patients on hemodialysis (HD). In this randomized, controlled study, we investigated the effects of lowering dialysate Ca level on progression of CAC and histologic bone abnormalities in patients on HD. Patients on HD with intact parathyroid hormone levels ≤300 pg/ml receiving dialysate containing 1.75 or 1.50 mmol/L Ca (n=425) were randomized to the 1.25-mmol/L Ca (1.25 Ca; n=212) or the 1.75-mmol/L Ca (1.75 Ca; n=213) dialysate arm. Primary outcome was a change in CAC score measured by multislice computerized tomography; main secondary outcome was a change in bone histomorphometric parameters determined by analysis of bone biopsy specimens. CAC scores increased from 452±869 (mean±SD) in the 1.25 Ca group and 500±909 in the 1.75 Ca group (P=0.68) at baseline to 616±1086 and 803±1412, respectively, at 24 months (P=0.25). Progression rate was significantly lower in the 1.25 Ca group than in the 1.75 Ca group (P=0.03). The prevalence of histologically diagnosed low bone turnover decreased from 85.0% to 41.8% in the 1.25 Ca group (P=0.001) and did not change in the 1.75 Ca group. At 24 months, bone formation rate, trabecular thickness, and bone volume were higher in the 1.25 Ca group than in the 1.75 Ca group. Thus, lowering dialysate Ca levels slowed the progression of CAC and improved bone turnover in patients on HD with baseline intact parathyroid hormone levels ≤300 pg/ml.

Recurrent lupus nephritis after transplantation: Clinicopathological evaluation with protocol biopsies.

AIM: Lupus nephritis (LN) is an important complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim is to use indication and protocol biopsies to determine clinicopathological findings and outcomes of patients with LN undergoing kidney transplantation (KTx). METHODS: Patients who underwent KTx due to LN were retrospectively analyzed. Recurrent LN (RLN) was diagnosed by transplant kidney biopsy. RESULTS: Among 955 KTx patients, 12 patients with LN as the cause of end-stage renal disease were enrolled. Five patients were male. Mean follow-up time was 63 ± 34 months. At the last follow-up visit, mean levels of serum creatinine and proteinuria were 137.0 ± 69.0 µmol/L and 0.26 ± 0.26 g/day, respectively. Eighteen indication and 22 protocol biopsies were performed; 27 biopsies were additionally evaluated by immunofluorescence. In two recipients, subclinical RLN was confirmed by protocol biopsies. Clinical recurrence occurred in four patients. Among patients with RLN, time from diagnosis of LN to KTx was significantly shorter and use of ATG as induction treatment was significantly lower. Graft loss occurred in two recipients who had clinical RLN. Five-year overall graft survival was 85.7%. CONCLUSION: Kidney transplantation is a reasonable option for patients with ESRD secondary to SLE. However, recurrence of LN is common if protocol biopsies are included in post-transplantation surveillance.

To what extent estimated or measured GFR could predict subclinical graft fibrosis: a comparative prospective study with protocol biopsies.

Monitoring of allograft function entails methods more accurate than serum creatinine and creatinine-based GFR equations (eGFR). This prospective trial aimed at investigating the diagnostic accuracy of creatinine- and cystatin C-based eGFR with measured GFR (mGFR) and compared them with graft fibrosis detected by protocol biopsies (PBx). Forty-four kidney transplant recipients were enrolled. PBx were obtained postengraftment and at 6th and 12th months. GFR was measured by Tc-99m DTPA at 3th, 6th, and 12th months after transplantation. Significant correlation existed between eGFR and mGFR at 3, 6, and 12 months (P < 0.0001). Cystatin C-based Hoek and Larsson equations had the lowest bias and highest accuracy. The sum of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy score increased from implantation to 6th and 12th months (0.52 ± 0.79, 0.84 ± 0.88, 1.50 ± 1.35). This was accompanied by reduction of mGFR from 54.1 ± 15.2 to 49.9 ± 15.2 and 46.8 ± 16.5 ml/min/1.73 m(2) , while serum creatinine, cystatin C, and eGFR remained stable. Neither creatinine- nor cystatin C-based GFR equations are reliable for detecting insidious graft fibrosis. In the first year after transplantation, mGFR, with its best proximity to histopathology, can be used to monitor allograft function and insidious graft fibrosis.

Mortality and cardiovascular events in online haemodiafiltration (OL-HDF) compared with high-flux dialysis: results from the Turkish OL-HDF Study.

BACKGROUND: Online haemodiafiltration (OL-HDF) is considered to confer clinical benefits over haemodialysis (HD) in terms of solute removal in patients undergoing maintenance HD. The aim of this study was to compare postdilution OL-HDF and high-flux HD in terms of morbidity and mortality. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, controlled trial, we enrolled 782 patients undergoing thrice-weekly HD and randomly assigned them in a 1:1 ratio to either postdilution OL-HDF or high-flux HD. The mean age of patients was 56.5 ± 13.9 years, time on HD 57.9 ± 44.6 months with a diabetes incidence of 34.7%. The follow-up period was 2 years, with the mean follow-up of 22.7 ± 10.9 months. The primary outcome was a composite of death from any cause and nonfatal cardiovascular events. The major secondary outcomes were cardiovascular and overall mortality, intradialytic complications, hospitalization rate, changes in several laboratory parameters and medications used. RESULTS: The filtration volume in OL-HDF was 17.2 ± 1.3 L. Primary outcome was not different between the groups (event-free survival of 77.6% in OL-HDF versus 74.8% in the high-flux group, P = 0.28), as well as cardiovascular and overall survival, hospitalization rate and number of hypotensive episodes. In a post hoc analysis, the subgroup of OL-HDF patients treated with a median substitution volume >17.4 L per session (high-efficiency OL-HDF, n = 195) had better cardiovascular (P = 0.002) and overall survival (P = 0.03) compared with the high-flux HD group. In adjusted Cox-regression analysis, treatment with high-efficiency OL-HDF was associated with a 46% risk reduction for overall mortality {RR = 0.54 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.31-0.93], P = 0.02} and a 71% risk reduction for cardiovascular mortality [RR = 0.29 (95% CI 0.12-0.65), P = 0.003] compared with high-flux HD. CONCLUSIONS: The composite of all-cause mortality and nonfatal cardiovascular event rate was not different in the OL-HDF and in the high-flux HD groups. In a post hoc analysis, OL-HDF treatment with substitution volumes over 17.4 L was associated with better cardiovascular and overall survival.

Spectrum of nontumoral renal pathologies in tumor nephrectomies: nontumoral renal parenchyma changes.

Non-neoplastic changes are not rarely seen in renal parenchyma of nephrectomy specimens removed for primary renal neoplasms. These changes often involve both kidneys, thus causing impairment of renal function, reducing patient's quality of life and sometimes threatening it. Renal tissue accompanying the tumor provides an opportunity in order to evaluate these changes. However, the clinician should make available clinical and laboratory findings involving renal functions of the patient to the pathologist. It is also important that the pathologist must have appropriate knowledge and experience in nephropathology. In this study, we aimed to correlate these changes with the clinical data and make inquiries regarding our experience with nonneoplastic kidney pathology. Consecutive 403 nephrectomy specimens with primary renal neoplasms submitted to our department between 2003 and 2009 were re-examined. Twenty-three nephrectomy materials from 21 patients had non-neoplastic changes, 2 of which were bilateral. Patient follow-up data were obtained from electronic medical records. Of all cases, eight had diabetic nephropathy; 2, amyloidosis; 5, segmental proliferative and/or sclerotic glomerulonephritis; and 6, cystic renal changes. These findings were seen in 5% of nephrectomy specimens diagnosed as clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC), chromophobe cell RCC and oncocytoma, whereas this rate was two times higher in nephrectomy specimens with papillary RCC. Most patients with renal failure who were diagnosed with clear cell carcinoma died within the first two years. Despite limited number of cases in our series, prognosis of cases with clear cell RCC were poorer. Consequently, we think that non-neoplastic changes should be reported along with the details regarding the tumor in order to achieve best treatment planning.

Kidney Transplant in a Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Patient: Case Report of Drug Interactions.

End-stage renal disease in the human immunodeficiency virus-positive population is increasing. Kidney transplant is the optimal therapy for this population rather than dialysis modalities if some criteria are met. These include undetectable plasma human immunodeficiency virus RNA, CD4 cell count over 200 cells/µL, and the absence of any AIDS-defining illness. Here, we describe the first living-donor kidney transplant in a human immunodeficiency virus-positive recipient in Turkey. The patient, a 52-year-old male diagnosed as human immunodeficiency virus positive, was on antiretroviral therapy, which consisted of 400 mg twice daily darunavir, 100 mg/day ritonavir, and 50 mg/day dolutegravir. He had been negative for human immunodeficiency virus RNA for the past 3 years. The patient developed renal insufficiency without any known cause and started hemodialysis. A living donor transplant from his son was performed, and the patient received ATG Fresenius-S (Neovii Biotech, Rapperswil, Switzerland) induction and a maintenance immunosuppression therapy consisting of methyl-prednisolone, mycophenolate mofetil, and tacrolimus. There were no incidences of delayed graft function or acute rejection. Because of tacrolimus and ritonavir interaction, tacrolimus trough levels were too high. With tacrolimus withdrawn, tacrolimus trough level decreased to detectable levels 2 weeks later. Antiretroviral therapy was continued on the same dosage. At month 4 posttransplant, the patient's creatinine level was 1.01 mg/dL. At present, the patient has had no complications and no episodes of rejection. Kidney transplant is the most favorable replacement therapy for HIV-positive patients who are under controlled AIDS care with highly active antiretroviral therapy. However, drug interactions should be carefully evaluated.

The impact of low serum sodium level on mortality depends on glycemic control.

BACKGROUND: Low serum sodium levels have been associated with mortality both in patients with and without chronic kidney disease. In this study, we investigated this association in relation to glycemic control in hemodialysis (HD) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March and September 2005, 697 prevalent HD patients were enrolled in this prospective observational study and followed up for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. The associations of serum sodium concentration with both overall and cardiovascular survival rates were studied. RESULTS: At baseline, mean predialysis serum sodium concentration was 138.4 ± 2.3 mEq/L (range: 130-145 mEq/L). Mild hyponatremia (< 135 mEq/L) was present in only 41 subjects (5.9%), and no patient had serum sodium level < 130 mEq/L. During 20.2 ± 6.2 months of follow-up, 119 patients (15.9%) died, 68 from CV causes. In adjusted Cox regression analysis, lowest sodium quartile was associated with 2.13-fold increased risk of overall mortality (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14-3.98, P = 0.01, model chi-square 114.6, P < 0.001). As a continuous variable, each 1 mEq/L increase in predialysis sodium concentration was associated with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.87 for overall mortality (95% CI 0.81-0.95, P = 0.002) and 0.86 for cardiovascular mortality (95% CI 0.78-0.96, P = 0.007). The predictivity of low serum sodium was prominent in diabetic subjects but not in nondiabetics. However, relationship between serum sodium and patient survival in diabetics was lost after adjustment for the HbA1c level: HR 0.91 (95% CI 0.78-1.05, P = 0.20). CONCLUSIONS: Low serum sodium concentration is associated with mortality only in those with diabetes. Furthermore, the impact of serum sodium on survival in these patients seems to be derived from poor glucose control.

Magnesium reduces calcification in bovine vascular smooth muscle cells in a dose-dependent manner.

BACKGROUND: Vascular calcification (VC), mainly due to elevated phosphate levels, is one major problem in patients suffering from chronic kidney disease. In clinical studies, an inverse relationship between serum magnesium and VC has been reported. However, there is only few information about the influence of magnesium on calcification on a cellular level available. Therefore, we investigated the effect of magnesium on calcification induced by ß-glycerophosphate (BGP) in bovine vascular smooth muscle cells (BVSMCs). METHODS: BVSMCs were incubated with calcification media for 14 days while simultaneously increasing the magnesium concentration. Calcium deposition, transdifferentiation of cells and apoptosis were measured applying quantification of calcium, von Kossa and Alizarin red staining, real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and annexin V staining, respectively. RESULTS: Calcium deposition in the cells dramatically increased with addition of BGP and could be mostly prevented by co-incubation with magnesium. Higher magnesium levels led to inhibition of BGP-induced alkaline phosphatase activity as well as to a decreased expression of genes associated with the process of transdifferentiation of BVSMCs into osteoblast-like cells. Furthermore, estimated calcium entry into the cells decreased with increasing magnesium concentrations in the media. In addition, higher magnesium concentrations prevented cell damage (apoptosis) induced by BGP as well as progression of already established calcification. CONCLUSIONS: Higher magnesium levels prevented BVSMC calcification, inhibited expression of osteogenic proteins, apoptosis and further progression of already established calcification. Thus, magnesium is influencing molecular processes associated with VC and may have the potential to play a role for VC also in clinical situations.

Comparison of 4- and 8-h dialysis sessions in thrice-weekly in-centre haemodialysis: a prospective, case-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Longer dialysis sessions may improve outcome in haemodialysis (HD) patients. We compared the clinical and laboratory outcomes of 8- and 4-h thrice-weekly HD. METHODS: Two-hundred and forty-seven HD patients who agreed to participate in a thrice-weekly 8-h in-centre nocturnal HD (NHD) treatment and 247 age-, sex-, diabetes status- and HD duration-matched control cases to 4-h conventional HD (CHD) were enrolled in this prospective controlled study. Echocardiography and psychometric measurements were performed at baseline and at the 12th month. The primary outcome was 1-year overall mortality. RESULTS: Overall mortality rates were 1.77 (NHD) and 6.23 (CHD) per 100 patient-years (P = 0.01) during a mean 11.3 ± 4.7 months of follow-up. NHD treatment was associated with a 72% risk reduction for overall mortality compared to the CHD treatment (hazard ratio = 0.28, 95% confidence interval 0.09-0.85, P = 0.02). Hospitalization rate was lower in the NHD arm. Post-HD body weight and serum albumin levels increased in the NHD group. Use of antihypertensive medications and erythropoietin declined in the NHD group. In the NHD group, left atrium and left ventricular end-diastolic diameters decreased and left ventricular mass index regressed. Both use of phosphate binders and serum phosphate level decreased in the NHD group. Cognitive functions improved in the NHD group, and quality of life scores deteriorated in the CHD group. CONCLUSIONS: Eight-hour thrice-weekly in-centre NHD provides morbidity and possibly mortality benefits compared to conventional 4-h HD.

Vapocoolant spray vs lidocaine/prilocaine cream for reducing the pain of venipuncture in hemodialysis patients: a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study.

OBJECTIVE: Patients undergoing hemodialysis are repeatedly exposed to stress and pain from approximately 300 punctures per year to their arteriovenous fistula. This study was designed to measure pain associated with venepuncture during AVF cannulation and to compare the effectiveness of ethyl chloride vapocoolant spray, topical eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA) cream and placebo in controlling pain caused by venepuncture of arteriovenous fistula patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. METHODS: This randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study, included 41 patients undergoing conventional hemodialysis three times a week. First intervention was conducted as baseline pain assessment (control). In the three consecutive dialysis sessions, every patient randomly received 1) ethyl chloride vapocoolant spray, 2) EMLA, or 3) placebo cream before venepuncture. Pain perception was recorded by patients immediately after cannulation on a 0-100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS). p<0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: VAS scores presented a marked inter-individual variation during venepuncture. EMLA application resulted in significantly lower total pain scores compared to control and all other interventions (p<0.05). No patient experienced severe pain with EMLA or vapocoolant. The patients reported less moderate and severe pain with EMLA, and vapocoolant spray compared to control and placebo interventions. Moderate and severe pain scores were similar between EMLA and vapocoolant spray (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Venipuncture for AVF cannulation causes mild to moderate pain in hemodialysis patients. Although local application of EMLA is more effective than in preventing venepuncture pain, ethyl chloride vapocoolant is as effective as EMLA for preventing mild to moderate puncture pain in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Comparison of nutritional parameters among adult and elderly hemodialysis patients.

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the nutritional biochemical parameters, prealbumin levels, and bioimpedance analysis parameters of adult and elderly hemodialysis (HD) patients. METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional study included 50 adult HD patients (42.0 % female). Nutritional status was assessed by post-dialysis multifrequency bioimpedance analysis (BIA), serum prealbumin and other nutritional biochemical parameters. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 57.4±15.1 years (range: 30-83 years) and mean dialysis duration was 68.3 ± 54.5 months (range: 3-240 months). When the patients were divided into two groups according to age of patients (<65 and ≥65), prealbumin (p=0.003), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (p=0.000), serum creatinine (p=0.013), albumin (p=0.016), protein catabolic rate per normalized body weight (nPCR) (p=0.001), intracellular water (ICW)/total body weight (0.003) , body fat mass (p00.000), lean body mass (p=0.031), lean dry mass (p=0.001), illness marker (p=0.005), basal metabolism (p=0.007), body mass index (BMI) (p=0.028), body fat mass index (BFMI) (p=0.000), fat free mass index (FFMI) (p=0.040) values were significantly different between the groups. In the elderly patients (age ≥65), body fat mass, illness marker, BMI, BFMI were higher compared to adult patients (age <65). Additionally, in the elderly patients, prealbumin, BUN, creatinine, albumin, nPCR, ICW/ total body weight, lean body weight, lean dry weight, basal metabolism and FFMI were lower than adult patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that BFMI were higher, albumin, prealbumin, nPCR and lean body mass and FFMI were lower in elderly patients compared to adults. These results imply that elderly HD patients may be prone sarcopenic obesity and may require special nutritional support.

The impact of strict volume control strategy on patient survival and technique failure in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Strict volume control strategy provides better cardiac functions and control of hypertension in dialysis patients. We investigated the effect of this strategy on mortality and technique failure in peritoneal dialysis patients over a 10-year period. 243 patients were enrolled. Strict volume control by dietary salt restriction and ultrafiltration was applied. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased from 138.4 ± 29.9 and 86.3 ± 16.8 to 114.9 ± 32.3 and 74.7 ± 18.3 mm Hg, respectively. Overall and cardiovascular mortality rates were 48.4 and 29.6 per 1,000 patient-years, respectively. In multivariate analysis, age, diabetes and baseline serum albumin level were independent predictors of overall mortality, and age, diabetes and baseline serum calcium of cardiovascular mortality. Residual diuresis and peritoneal equilibration test values were not related to mortality. Strict volume control leads to lower mortality than comparable series in the literature. Technique survival is better during the first 3 years, but not after 5 years.

Progression of graft fibrosis under mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor-based regimen.

AIM: Nephrotoxic potential of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTORi) is different from calcineurin inhibitors (CNI). The aim of this study is to investigate the interstitial fibrosis (ci) and tubular atrophy (ct) progression from the baseline to first year under a mTORi-based, CNI-free regimen. METHODS: Thirty-five kidney transplant recipients who had to have adequate baseline and first year protocol biopsy were enrolled. Exclusion criteria were: the replacement of CNI at any time; acute deterioration in allograft functions; and serum creatinine level above 3 mg/dL at 12 months. Banff criteria were used for histopathological classification. Progression was defined as delta ci + ct ≥ 2 (difference between 12th month and baseline). RESULTS: Mean age of patients and donors were 34 ± 11 and 49 ± 10 years. Twelve patients had delayed graft function (DGF). The maintenance regimen consisted of sirolimus (n = 24) and everolimus (n = 11) with mycophenolate mofetil and steroids. Incidence of acute rejection was 25.7%. At baseline, the incidence of nil and mild fibrosis were 80% and 20%, respectively. At 12 months, 17.1% of patients had moderate, 40% had mild and 42.9% had nil fibrosis. Histological progression from baseline to first year was present in 34% of patients. In multivariate analysis the presence of DGF (P = 0.018) and deceased donor type (P = 0.011) were the most important predictors for fibrosis progression. CONCLUSION: Progression of graft fibrosis may be seen in one-third of patients under a mTORi-based regimen particularly manifested in deceased donor recipients with subsequent DGF.

Perinatal outcomes of renal transplant pregnancies: a 22-year experience at a single tertiary referral center.

Background: Renal transplantation not only prolongs survival but also improves quality of life and fertility, particularly in patients with end-stage renal disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the renal and perinatal outcomes of pregnancy after renal transplantation at a high volume academic tertiary hospital.Methods: Fifty-one renal transplant patients (RTPs) who experienced pregnancy after transplantation and received care at Ege University Hospital between January 1995 and December 2017 were retrospectively identified. Data on demographics, comorbidities, and clinical perinatal outcomes were analyzed.Results: The median age of expectant mothers with renal transplantation was 30.51 ± 5.28 years (range 23-41). The mean interval between discontinuing birth control methods and the last menstrual period was 22 months. Preeclampsia occurred in six pregnancies (11.5%), and 43 of 52 pregnancies resulted in live births (82.6%). The mean gestational age at birth was 36.35 ± 2.36 weeks (range: 26-38). A total of 15 births were preterm deliveries (28.8%). Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) was detected in four cases. The mean birth weight was 2664.58 ± 613.99 g (range: 600-3.800 g). Twelve newborns were hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (23%). A significant inverse correlation between birth weight and preconception serum creatinine level was found (p < .001; r = -0.532). An inverse correlation between the interval between transplantation and pregnancy and low postpartum serum creatinine level was established significantly (p < .05; r = -0.331). In addition, an inverse correlation between preconceptional serum creatinine and postpartum serum creatinine in the first year was found statistically significant (p < .001, r = -0.681).Conclusion: Even though pregnancy does not seem to adversely affect renal graft function, risks of perinatal as well as obstetrical complications should not be ignored. Pregnancies in RTPs should be followed closely by a multidisciplinary team of experts to minimize perinatal complications before and during pregnancy.

The influence of dialysate calcium on progression of arterial stiffness in peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: One of the origins of cardiovascular disease in dialysis patients is arterial stiffness. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between the calcium content of peritoneal dialysis (PD) solution and arterial stiffness. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled into the study 49 PD patients who had been treated with the same PD solution for the preceding 6 months. The calcium content of the PD solution was 1.25 mmol/L in 34 patients (low-Ca group) and 1.75 mmol/L in 15 patients (high-Ca group). Study patients were followed for 6 months on the same PD prescription. Arterial stiffness was assessed by measurement of augmentation index (AI) and brachial pulse wave velocity (PWV) at baseline and at month 6 (SphygmoCor: Atcor Medical, West Ryde, NSW, Australia). Demographic data were recorded from patient charts. RESULTS: Mean age of the whole group was 51 +/- 11 years, prevalence of diabetes was 14%, duration of PD was 43 +/- 30 months, percentage of women was 45%, and percentage of patients using a cycler was 33%. We observed no differences between groups with regard to those variables or creatinine clearance, residual renal function, Ca, phosphorus, parathormone, C-reactive protein, lipid parameters, and use of phosphate binder with or without Ca content. Mean arterial pressure was higher in the high-Ca group, but the difference was not statistically significant (100 +/- 22 mmHg vs 88 +/- 18 mmHg, p = 0.06). At baseline, AI was significantly higher in the high-Ca group than in the low-Ca group (27% +/- 10% vs 21% +/- 9%, p < 0.05). Measurements of PWV were not different between the groups (8.4 +/- 1.1 m/s vs 8.5 +/- 1.7 m/s). Measurement of arterial stiffness parameters at month 6 revealed that PWV had increased in the high-Ca group (to 9.6 +/- 2.3 m/s from 8.4 +/- 1.1 m/s, p < 0.05), but had not changed in the low-Ca group (to 8.2 +/- 1.9 m/s from 8.5 +/- 1.7 m/s). The AI did not change in either group. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that Ca exposure through PD solution plays a role in the progression of arterial stiffness, which may be related to increased vascular calcification.

Investigation of the Factors Affecting Allograft Kidney Functions: Results of 10 Years.

INTRODUCTION: Significant improvements in patient and graft survival and reductions in the frequency of acute rejection were obtained in the early period after renal transplantation, but this success was not sufficiently reflected in the long term. Allograft kidney losses in the long term remain a significant problem. In this study, we investigated the specific causes of graft losses in patients who had a good clinical course in the first year but developed graft loss in the long term. METHODS: A total of 118 patients who underwent kidney transplantation in 2005 and 2006 in the Organ Transplantation Center of Ege University Medical Faculty Hospital were evaluated. The inclusion criteria were to be older than 18 years and have a serum creatinine value of <2 mg/dL at the 12th month after transplantation. RESULTS: Sixty-one percent of the recipients were male, and the mean age at the time of transplantation was 34 ± 11 years (18 to 61). We observed 29 graft losses during the mean follow-up period of 129 ± 35 months (27 to 162). Three of the graft losses were death by functional graft. Of the 26 patients with graft loss, 16 had chronic rejection, and 8 had recurrent glomerulonephritis. The relationship between nonimmune causes and graft loss was not detected. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, nonimmune factors may not be as important as we think in relatively young and healthier recipients. Chronic rejection and recurrent glomerulonephritis are the main causes of long-term graft loss of patients with good graft function at the end of the first year. Improvement of long-term survival will be possible with the prevention and effective treatment of these 2 problems.

Do Antithymocyte Globulin-Free Acute Rejection Therapies Increase the Risk of Polyoma Nephropathy in Renal Transplant Recipients?

INTRODUCTION: BK virus nephropathy is a serious complication that can lead to allograft kidney loss. Excessive immunosuppression increases the risk. We aimed to evaluate whether there is an increased risk of BK viremia and nephropathy in patients who underwent high-dose immunosuppression because of the development of acute rejection in the early period after kidney transplantation. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was performed between April 2015 and March 2016. Twenty-nine patients who had biopsy-proven acute rejection in the first 3 months were evaluated for BK viremia and nephropathy. Thirty patients who had transplantations at the same period were the control group. Plasma BK-DNA values were examined at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the rejection treatment and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months in the control group. Presence of polyoma nephropathy was examined with surveillance biopsies at the 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: Acute rejection treatment was started on the 12th day after transplantation (2-37 days). Seventeen cellular rejections and 12 humoral rejections were reported by biopsy. Two of the 12 humoral rejections were suspicious. Only pulse steroid (PS) (n = 18); PS, plasmapheresis, and intravenous immunoglobulin (n = 8); PS and intravenous immunoglobulin (n = 2); and PS and plasmapheresis (n = 1) treatments were performed. In 21 patients in the rejection group and 25 patients in the control group, BK-DNA was not positive at all. Two patients had graft loss at 11 and 36 months in the rejection group. Graft losses were secondary to rejection. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with antithymocyte globulin-free regimens after acute rejection episodes did not lead to an increase in BK viremia.

Paritaprevir, ritonavir, ombitasvir, and dasabuvir treatment in renal transplant patients with hepatitis C virus infection.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The Social Security System of our country reimburses only paritaprevir, ritonavir, ombitasvir, and dasabuvir (PrOD) regime in treatment-naive patients with hepatitis C regardless of kidney disease. Most of our renal transplant (RT) recipients were treated with PrOD. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of PrOD in RT patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in a single center real-life experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RT recipients with a post-transplant follow-up of at least 1 year were included in the study. The patients were treated and monitored according to the guidelines. Blood levels of immunosuppressive patients were closely followed up and adjusted. RESULTS: A total of 21 (12 male and nine female) patients were assessed. The age of the patients was 50.8±8.5 years. Ten patients were infected with G1a, 10 patients with G1b, and one patient with G4 HCV. Two patients had compensated cirrhosis. Eighteen patients were treatment-naive, and three were peginterferon+ribavirin-experienced. Sustained virologic response (SVR12) was achieved in all patients. None of the patients discontinued the treatment. Cyclosporine (Csa) and tacrolimus (Tac) doses were reduced to once a day to once a week to maintain the blood level within normal range. The most common adverse effect was anemia in patients receiving ribavirin. Renal functions did not change during the treatment period. CONCLUSION: In this real-life experience, all of the 21 PrOD-treated RT recipients reached SVR12. Tac or Csa serum levels were maintained within the normal range with close monitoring. PrOD regime can be successfully and safely used in RT recipients with HCV infection with close follow-up.

Hemophagocytic syndrome with erythrocyte phagocytosis by the myeloid precursors in a patient with AML -M2.

Hemophagocytic syndrome is characterized by fever, fatigue, weight loss, lymphadenopathy, and laboratory abnormalities including pancytopenia, liver dysfunction, hypertriglyceridemia and hyperfibrinemia. Histopathologically, lesions are characterized by mononuclear cell infiltration with marked histiocyte proliferation and phagocytosis of erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets and their precursors by activated macrophages in the reticuloendothelial tissues. Hemophagocytic syndrome may develop from strong immunological stimuli such as severe infection, malignancy and autoimmune diseases. We present a 73-year-old man with acute myeloblastic leukemia FAB M2 type (AML M2) whose bone marrow histology showed unusual hemophagocytosis by myeloid cells and myeloblasts.