Urologic Complications After Transplantation of Kidneys With Duplicated Ureter: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Duplication of ureters is a common anatomic abnormality and occurs in 0.7% to 1% of the general population. In this article we focus on the safety of using of kidneys with complete ureteral duplication, provided no hydronephrosis or ureterocele was present in the donor. METHODS: From 1998 to March 2018 there were 1965 kidneys transplanted at our institution, including 27 kidneys with duplicated ureter, which corresponds to incidence of 1.4%. Patients' medical records, surgery protocols, and Poltransplant registries were searched for urinary complications. RESULTS: In the double ureter group, urologic complications occurred in 4 patients (15.4%). Similarly, severe urinary complications developed in 4 patients from the control group (17.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Transplantation of kidneys with duplicated ureters appears to be a safe and feasible procedure.

Efficacy of Follow-up Care System of Living Kidney Donors in Monitoring of Residual Kidney Function.

BACKGROUND: The possibility of an increased risk of end-stage renal disease is a major concern associated with living kidney donation. Therefore, monitoring of residual kidney function becomes most essential. METHODS: A data analysis of 156 living kidney donors (LKDs) was conducted. The efficacy of the long-term care system with regard to monitoring residual kidney function was evaluated. RESULTS: The analyzed group consisted of 102 (65.4%) women. The mean follow-up period was 5.44 years. The rise in value of mean serum creatinine concentration after donation was observed, but it was within the range of normal during the observation period. Despite its initial decline after nephrectomy, mean glomerular filtration rate (GFR) remained >60 mL/min/1.73 m2. A MDRD (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease) GFR in the range of 45-60 mL/min/1.73 m2 was observed in 53 donors (33.97%). It was found to be <45.0 mL/min/1.73 m2 in 15 cases (9.6%). No patient developed end-stage renal disease. Only 25.0% of those analyzed had their CKD-EPI (Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration) GFR estimated on 45-60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 4.49% were found to have levels of <45 mL/min/1.73 m2 (down to 33.7 mL/min/1.73 m2). Mean postdonation CKD-EPI GFR was estimated at 69.99% of its predonation value. CONCLUSION: A reliable qualification process could minimize the probability of kidney donation by someone with an increased risk of chronic kidney failure. The CKD-EPI formula seems to be more precise than the MDRD for estimatation of LKDs' GFR, as their loss of GFR is a result of nephrectomy and not kidney or systemic disease. Using the MDRD formula may lead to inappropriate diagnosis of CKD in some cases.

Role of Transforming Growth Factor-ß in Hypertensive Living Kidney Donors.

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) is involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension and the development of hypertensive target organ damage. TGF-ß may promote blood pressure elevation through several mechanisms. The identification of risk factors of hypertension in living kidney donors may provide proper postoperative management. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine the serum TGF-ß concentration in living kidney donors after nephrectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 66 living donor open nephrectomies were performed in the Department of General and Transplantation Surgery at the Medical University of Warsaw between 1995 and 2005. Forty living kidney donors reported for the follow-up. Physical examination, blood and urine tests, ECG, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, cardiac sonography, and ophthalmoscopy were performed. Serum TGF-ß concentration was measured by ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 13.0. RESULTS: The mean observation period was 65.6 months. The mean donor age at the time of donation and at the follow-up visit was 40.7 and 46.2, respectively. Hypertension was observed in 24% women and in 37% men after surgery. The significantly higher frequency of hypertension was observed after nephrectomy (P = .001). The strongest predictor of hypertension was age. The mean serum TGF-ß concentration was 39.3 ng/mL. No significant differences were observed between hypertensive and normotensive donors (P = .061). A significantly higher TGF-ß concentration was found 4 and 5 years after donation (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: TGF-ß is not associated with hypertension and glomerular filtration rate in living kidney donors after nephrectomy. Careful monitoring of hypertension in living kidney donors after nephrectomy is essential.

Psychological Aspects of Living Kidney Donation in Poland: Experience of One Center.

BACKGROUND: Living kidney transplantation is the optimal treatment of end-stage renal disease. The benefits for recipients are obvious. The psychological consequences for living kidney donors in Poland are not known. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the psychological aspects of living kidney donation in Poland. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 66 living donor open nephrectomies were performed in our institution between 1995 and 2005. The psychological aspects were assessed in 40 donors after nephrectomy. The study applied the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), the Situation Assessment Questionnaire, the Health Behaviors Survey, and our own questionnaire. The mean observation period was 65.6 months. RESULTS: There was a trend toward better life satisfaction in living kidney donors compared to Polish adults. Donor life satisfaction was significantly lower when the recipient was dead than when the recipient was alive. Most donors perceived the kidney donation as a challenge in cognitive judgment. The mean score of the Health Behaviors Survey was not significantly different than in the general population in Poland. The mean pain score after donation was 3.2 in a 5-item scale (1 = severe pain, 5 = mild pain). The mean time of return to work was 3.5 months. No donors regretted their decisions about kidney donation. CONCLUSION: Living kidney donation in Poland has a positive impact on donors' quality of life. Among living kidney donors, the sense of danger concerning the risk of donation depends on the degree of the relationship with the recipient.

Do Anatomical Anomalies Affect the Results of Living Donor Kidney Transplantation?

BACKGROUND: Multiple renal artery kidneys still represent a special challenge for surgeons, during both nephrectomy for organ donation and transplantation. Recognition of anatomical conditions with advanced imaging methods is one of the most important elements of the preoperative evaluation process. AIM: The purpose of the current study was to assess if anatomical abnormalities affect the outcomes of living kidney donor transplantation procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 60 living kidney donors and their recipients was performed. Patients were assigned to two groups: pairs with a single allograft vessels (group I) and pairs with any anatomical abnormalities of the transplanted organ (group II). The impact of anatomical abnormalities on initial and long-term outcomes of the transplantation were analyzed. RESULTS: The analyzed study group consisted of 60 pairs (35 included in group I and 25 in group II). Immediate graft function was observed in 65.7% vs 64% individuals, recpectively (n.s.). Mean serum creatinine concentration was 1.6, 1.46, and 1.44 mg/mL (group I) vs 1.78, 1.78, and 1.65 mg/mL (group II) at 1, 6, and 12 months posttransplant, respectively (n.s.). Glomerular filtration rate (using the Chronic Kindey Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation) was estimated at 54.3, 59.9, and 61.0 mL/min/1.73 m2 (group I) vs 59.8, 57.6, and 59.8 mL/min/1.73 m2 (group II) at the same time points, respectively (n.s.). CONCLUSIONS: Presence of single renal vessels was not a predictor of immediate graft function in living-donor kidney transplantation. Transplantation outcomes for kidneys with anatomical anomalies did not differ when compared to organs with typical anatomy. Multiple renal arteries did not impact initial graft function if precise surgical technique and proper preoperative diagnostics were provided.

Does Low Birthweight Have an Impact on Living Kidney Donor Outcomes?

INTRODUCTION: Because nearly 30,000 people worldwide become living kidney donors each year, donor safety is of the utmost importance. Recent studies have shown that living kidney donation is associated with an increased relative risk for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). It is essential to determine which donors will be more likely to develop ESRD. One of the risk factors for ESRD in living kidney donors is hypertension and, because there are studies demonstrating that low birthweight is a risk factor for developing hypertension in adult life, we hypothesized that donors with low birthweight may be at higher risk of developing renal disease after donation. METHODS: Seventy-three living kidney donors were examined. Donors were divided into 2 cohorts: a group with low birthweight and group with normal birthweight. We checked whether the donor birthweight has an impact on the outcome of donor renal function and on the development of hypertension. RESULTS: Hypertension was observed statistically more frequent in the group with low birthweight (P = .003). CONCLUSION: Glomerular filtration rate before kidney donation was found to be lower in the low-birthweight group.

Analysis of Distribution of Expanded- and Standard-Criteria Donors and Complications Among Polish Recipients by Kidney Donor Risk Index Value.

INTRODUCTION: The approach toward transplanting kidneys from expanded-criteria donors (ECDs) in Poland is largely site-dependent. The Kidney Donor Risk Index (KDRI) allows for obtaining a more precise characteristic of ECDs and further stratification into "better" and "worse" quality grafts. METHODS: Comparison of the incidence of delayed graft function (DGF) and biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR), median of hospitalization time and median of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 1 year after transplantation among kidney graft recipients (n = 468), divided by donor status (ECD/standard-criteria donor [SCD]) and KDRI value (I: 0.67-1.2, II: 1.21-1.6, III: 1.61-2.0, IV: 2.01-3.48). RESULTS: ECD kidneys have been transplanted to 32.47% of recipients. There were no ECD recipients in KDRI compartment I, 16.55% in compartment II, 79.22% in compartment III, and 100% in IV. In KDRI compartment II, DGF was diagnosed in 34.9% of SCDs and 56% of ECDs (P = .003), BPAR occurred in 7.8% of SCDs and 16% of ECDs (P = .073), median hospital stay was 12 days for SCDs and ECDs (P = 1), and eGFR was 50.7 mL/min for SCDs and 49.4 mL/min for ECDs (P = .734). In KDRI compartment III, DGF was diagnosed in 43.8% of SCDs and 49.2% of ECDs (P = .139), BPAR occurred in 6.3% of SCDs and 31.7% of ECDs (P = .001), median hospital stay was 10 days for SCDs and 12 days for ECDs (P = .634), and eGFR was 49.5 mL/min for SCDs and 45.2 mL/min for ECDs (P = .382). Among ECD recipients, DGF was diagnosed in 56.0%, 49.2%, and 47.7% of patients for KDRI compartments II, III, and IV respectively (P = .776); BPAR occurred in 16% (compartment II), 31.7% (compartment III), and 23.1% (compartment IV) (P = .273); the median hospital stay was 12 days (compartment II), 12 days (compartment III), and 12.5 days (compartment IV) (P = 1); and eGFR was 49.5 mL/min (compartment II), 45.4 mL/min (compartment III), and 36.1 mL/min (compartment IV) (P = .002). CONCLUSION: Assessment using both the ECD and KDRI systems allows for a more precise evaluation of prognosis and predicting complications among recipients.

Pathologies in Living Kidney Donors Diagnosed in the Long-Term Care System.

Kidney donation should not lead to deterioration of the donor's health condition, both during the perisurgical period and in the long term. Safety of a living kidney donor becomes a prerequisite for his/her qualification. Detailed diagnostic procedures are performed to exclude any abnormalities of his/her health condition. Additionally, a long-term post-donation follow-up system for kidney donors has been set up in Poland besides the restrictive qualification system. Transplantation centers are obligated to provide a diagnostic procedures for living organ donors as a part of the monitoring of their health condition and to ensure them a medical follow-up for 10 years after the donation. A total of 141 cases of unilateral nephroureterectomy performed in 2003-2014 to obtain a kidney for transplantation were considered. Medical files of post-donation diagnostic or therapeutic methods and their outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of monitoring of donors' health condition within the framework of the long-term follow-up system for kidney donors in the aspect of detection of the donation-independent abnormalities.

Renal Transplantation Using Kidneys Procured From Elderly Donors Older Than 70 Years.

AIM: A major problem for the transplant society is a shortage of organs for transplantation compared with the number of patients on the waiting list. This study aimed to assess the results of the transplantation of kidneys procured from older donors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 27 kidneys procured from donors age 70 years or older were transplanted between January 1, 2010, and April 25, 2015. These represented only 4.1% of the 657 kidneys transplanted from deceased donors during this period at the same center. RESULTS: Delayed graft function (DGF) in the recipients of kidneys procured from donors age 70 or older occurred in 46.1% of patients, whereas the recipients of kidneys from younger donors showed DGF at a frequency of 32.7% (P = NS). The annual and 3-year survival rates of kidneys in the study group were 85% and 80%, respectively, and in the control group were 92.5% and 88.6%, respectively (P = NS). According to the Polish National Organ Procurement Organization (Poltransplant), the annual survival rate of a transplanted kidney in Poland stands at 89%, whereas the 3-year survival rate is 82%. We detected no significant posttransplantation differences in the serum creatinine concentration and in the estimated glomerular filtration rate between the study and control groups. The donor age and donor creatinine were the variables independently associated with DGF. CONCLUSIONS: The results of transplantation of kidneys from elderly donors were comparable to those of transplantation from younger donors. Kidneys harvested from elderly donors should be used for a transplant after a preliminary assessment.

Renal Tumor in Allogeneic Kidney Transplant Recipient.

BACKGROUND: Malignancies will be a leading cause of mortality in renal transplant recipients in the next 20 years. Renal cell cancer (RCC) is the most common urologic cancer in kidney transplant recipients. The risk of RCC development in kidney transplant recipients is 15-100 times higher than in the general population. The purpose of the current retrospective study was to assess the frequency of nephrectomies performed because of renal tumors in the native kidneys in kidney transplant recipients in the Department of General and Transplantation Surgery at the Medical University of Warsaw between 2010 and 2014 year; the identification of kidney recipients diagnosed with RCC; and epidemiologic, clinical, and histopathological aspects associated with RCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 319 nephrectomies were performed in the Department of General and Transplantation Surgery at the Medical University of Warsaw between 2010 and 2014 year. Renal tumors were diagnosed in 25 renal transplant recipients. RESULTS: Among malignant tumors, 13 cases of RCC and 1 case of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) were observed. There was no significant difference between age and duration of pretransplantation dialysis in patients with RCC and patients with benign tumors (P = .14 and P = .91, respectively). Body mass index was significantly higher in patients with RCC than in patients with benign tumors (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Renal cell cancer is more common among male kidney recipients. There is a good Polish screening system allowing detection of kidney cancer in native kidney. We recommend performing periodic screening for kidney cancers to obtain an early diagnosis.

Profiles of all 550 procurements and transplantations of kidneys from living donors in Poland, 1967-2012.

INTRODUCTION: Nationwide live organ donor registry is mandatory to ensure the quality and safety of kidney procurement from living donors and for donor protection. In Poland, this concept is achieved with the use of an Internet tool (www.rejestry.net); donation centers are obligated to collect donors' data (demographic characteristics, including pre-, peri-, and post-donation and long-term follow-up). The registry currently handles data from 2008 but is incomplete in the collection of historical procurements. The goal of the research was to collect in one database all information regarding cases of kidney procurements and transplantations from living donors in Poland starting from the first such transplant in 1967. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were gathered from several existing but incomplete records stored by transplant centers. RESULTS: A total of 550 kidney procurements and transplantations from living donors were made in the years 1967 to 2012. We collected 100% of information on the date and donation centers and 100% of information regarding the recipients but only 65% of information regarding the donor and 80% regarding donor-recipient relations. According to the data, women accounted for 60% of living donors and men for 40% of living donors. The mean age of a donor was 45 years, and the mean age of a recipient was 28 years. Among related donors, parents constituted the majority (59%), siblings accounted for 21%, and spouses accounted for 12%. CONCLUSIONS: Although the collected data are incomplete, our research provided the Polish live-donor registry a solid starting point (eg, all dates, center procurements, records of transplantations) to enter remaining data and to build a serviceable tool for full assessment of all live-donor kidney donations in the country.

Glomerular filtration rate estimation in prospective living kidney donors: preliminary study.

INTRODUCTION: Kidney transplantation prolongs life expectancy in end-stage renal disease patients at a lesser cost than dialysis. Estimation of kidney function is crucial in the evaluation of prospective living kidney donors. Although unsurpassed in their precision methods of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measurement with exogenous substances are invasive, expensive, and carry a risk for anaphylactic reactions. Alternatively, kidney function can also be assessed by GFR estimation formulas based on serum creatinine or novel markers such as cystatin C or ß-trace protein (BTP). The aim of this study was to compare the performance of GFR estimation methods with reference scintigraphy-measured GFR in population of living kidney donor candidates. METHODS: We included 25 prospective kidney donors (aged 28-64 years) and measured GFR with the following equations: Cockcroft-Gault, Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD), Mayo Clinic, Nankivell, Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI; including cystatin C), and BTP based. GFR were assessed by (99)mTc-DTPA for reference. All estimation methods were compared with a reference by general linear models. RESULTS: The precision of GFR estimation by all methods is unsatisfactory (30% margin of reference held in <50% of cases). Direction of regression coefficients is negative for some of the methods even when adjusted for body mass index (BMI). Of the study subjects, 64% were overweight/obese. BMI value is significantly correlated with measured GFR (P < .01). CKD-EPI estimation equations are the most precise methods of GFR estimation in this analysis; in addition, CKD-EPI cystatin C and combined creatinine/cystatin C estimators are robust to overweight/obesity. CONCLUSIONS: The precision of GFR estimation is unsatisfactory, in part because of overweight, which adversely influences measured GFR, but also renders estimation methods unusable, except for CKD-EPI cystatin C and combined creatinine/cystatin C formulae. GFR measurement with exogenous substances remains the method of choice in the assessment of kidney function in prospective kidney donors. In addition, it provides useful information on differential (split) renal function.

Impact of pretransplant body mass index on early kidney graft function.

BACKGROUND: An increase in the number of obese patients on transplantation waiting lists can be observed. There are conflicting results regarding the influence of body mass index (BMI) on graft function. METHODS: We performed a single-center, retrospective study of 859 adult patients who received a renal graft from deceased donors. BMI (kg/m(2)) was calculated from patients' height and weight at the time of transplantation. Kidney recipients were subgrouped into 4 groups, according to their BMI: Groups A (<18.5; n = 57), B (18.6-24.9; n = 565), C (25-29.9; n = 198) and D (>30; n = 39). Primary or delayed graft function (DGF), acute rejection (AR) episodes, and number of reoperations, graft function expressed by glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and serum creatinine concentration and number of graft loss as well as the recipient's death were analyzed. The follow-up period was 1 year. RESULTS: Obese patients' grafts do not develop any function more frequently in comparison with their nonobese counterparts (P < .0001; odds ratio [OR], 32.364; 95% CI, 2.174-941.422). Other aspects of the procedure were analyzed to confirm that thesis: Cold ischemia time and number of HLA mismatches affect the frequency of AR (OR, 1.0182 [P = .0029] and OR, 1.1496 [P = .0147], respectively); moreover, donor median creatinine serum concentration (P = .00004) and cold ischemia time (P = .00019) are related to delayed graft function. BMI did not influence the incidence of DGF (P = .08, OR; 1.167; 95% CI, 0.562-2.409), the number of AR episodes (P > .1; OR, 1.745; 95% CI, 0.846-3.575), number of reoperations, GFR (P = .22-.92), or creatinine concentration (P = .09). Number of graft losses (P = .12; OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 0.770-4.184) or patient deaths (P = .216; OR, 3.69; 95% CI, 0.153-36.444) were not influenced. CONCLUSION: Greater recipient BMI at the time of transplantation has a significant influence on the incidence of primary graft failure.

Characteristics of potential living kidney donors and recipients: donor disqualification reasons--experience of a Polish center.

INTRODUCTION: Kidney transplantation is efficacious as a renal replacement, particularly pre-emptive living donation. In Poland, the rate of transplantation of living donor kidneys is only 3%. The aim of the study was to identify the most common reasons to disqualify a potential living kidney donor. METHODS: We evaluated 124 kidney donor candidates for 111 potential recipients at 1 medical center for genders and ages of donor and recipient; thus relation, donor disqualification reasons, number of potential donors for a particular recipient, prior transplantations, and kidney vasculature. RESULTS: The 111 recipients of ages 2-62 years had, 1, 2, or 3 potential donors were tested in 101, 1, and 7, cases respectively. We had 18.9% recipients referred for pre-emptive transplantation; 59.5% were on haemodialysis and 21.6% on peritoneal dialysis. In all, 89% recipients sought first kidney transplantations. Kidneys were procured from 49/124 (39.5%) of the initially evaluated donors. The full examination was completed by 92 potential donors with 68/124 donors disqualified early. Single and multiple renal arteries were detected in 56 and 36 potential donors, respectively. Donor disqualification was due to medical contraindications (39.7%), earlier transplantation from a deceased donor (25%), immunologic constraints (23.5%), donor consent withdrawn (6%) or psychological and social reasons (4.4%). CONCLUSIONS: A considerable number of donor candidates are disqualified for medical reasons.

Is cystatin C valuable marker of glomerular filtration rate in living kidney donors after uninephrectomy?

BACKGROUND: The determination of kidney function plays a pivotal role in living donors renal assessment because of the long-term hazards of life with one kidney. Guidelines recommend estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by the Modification of Renal Disease (MDRD) or Cockroft-Gault equations for people with normal or near-normal renal function. Cystatin C (CysC) has been introduced as an alternative endogenous marker of GFR. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate residual renal function among living kidney donors by comparing serum CysC concentrations and estimated GFR according to the MDRD formula or the Cockroft-Gault equation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty living kidney donors showed a mean age of 46.14 years. Their GFR was estimated according to the abbreviated MDRD (aMDRD) and Cockroft-Gault formula adjusted for body surface area. Twenty-two donors underwent diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) renal studies. Serum CysC concentrations were measured during the last follow-up visit. GFR values according to Cockroft-Gault formula and MDRD formula were correlated with CysC concentrations using Pearson's linear correlation. RESULTS: Mean GFR according to the aMDRD formula and Cocroft-Gault formula decreased after nephrectomy. The Cockroft-Gault formula overestimated the DTPA GFR in our study. No significant differences were observed between DTPA GFR and GFR estimated using the aMDRD equation. The rate of GFR decrease was approximately 0.8 mL/min/1.73 m(2) per year. No significant correlation was observed between serum CysC concentration and GFR. Microalbuminuria was observed in one patient after nephrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: aMDRD equation to estimate GFR is more precise than Cockroft-Gault formula and cystatin C in living kidney donors after nephrectomy and should be preferred model in these patients.

Photodynamic therapy augments the efficacy of oncolytic vaccinia virus against primary and metastatic tumours in mice.

BACKGROUND: Therapies targeted towards the tumour vasculature can be exploited for the purpose of improving the systemic delivery of oncolytic viruses to tumours. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a clinically approved treatment for cancer that is known to induce potent effects on tumour vasculature. In this study, we examined the activity of PDT in combination with oncolytic vaccinia virus (OVV) against primary and metastatic tumours in mice. METHODS: The effect of 2-[1-hexyloxyethyl-]-2-devinyl pyropheophorbide-a (HPPH)-sensitised-PDT on the efficacy of oncolytic virotherapy was investigated against subcutaneously implanted syngeneic murine NXS2 neuroblastoma and human FaDu head and neck squamous cell carcinoma xenografts in nude mice. Treatment efficacy was evaluated by monitoring tumour growth and survival. The effects of combination treatment on vascular function were examined using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and immunohistochemistry, whereas viral replication in tumour cells was analysed by a standard plaque assay. Normal tissue phototoxicity following PDT-OV treatment was studied using the mouse foot response assay. RESULTS: Combination of PDT with OVV resulted in inhibition of primary and metastatic tumour growth compared with either monotherapy. PDT-induced vascular disruption resulted in higher intratumoural viral titres compared with the untreated tumours. Five days after delivery of OVV, there was a loss of blood flow to the interior of tumour that was associated with infiltration of neutrophils. Administration of OVV did not result in any additional photodynamic damage to normal mouse foot tissue. CONCLUSION: These results provide evidence into the usefulness of PDT as a means of enhancing intratumoural replication and therapeutic efficacy of OV.

Serum concentration of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone after living kidney donation.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic consequences resulting from loss of renal mass in living kidney donors remain uncertain. There is recent focus on the changes in the active form of vitamin D because it is an agent for cancer regulation. The objective of the study was to measure serum concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, parathyroid hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in living donors after kidney donation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty living kidney donors reported for follow-up visits. Their mean age was 46.14 years. They were women in 52.5% of cases. The mean observation period was 65.6 months. Serum 1,25(OH)2D3 and IGF-1 concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay after extraction. Serum intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) was quantified using an enhanced chemiluminescence immunoassay system. RESULTS: 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol deficiency in 57.5% patients after nephrectomy was the most important change we noted. No correlation was observed between 1,25(OH)2D3 and PTH. A decreased serum IGF-1 concentration was observed in 17.5% of donors. However, decreases in both serum IGF-1 and 1,25(OH)2D3 concentrations were observed in 12.5% of donors. CONCLUSION: Prospective studies may be essential to determine metabolic changes after nephrectomy among living kidney donors.

Surgical site infections in the early posttransplant period after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the frequency of microbial isolates and their susceptibility profiles among cultures from the "surgical site" of 26 simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPKT) recipients in the early posttransplant period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data on microbiologic cultures of 26 adult patients undergoing SPKT were collected prospectively from 2001 to the end of 2006. The isolation and identification of cultured micro-organisms was performed according to standard microbiological procedures and commercially available tests. Susceptibility of the strains to antibacterial agents was made by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. RESULTS: All patients were followed prospectively for the first 4 weeks after surgery yielding 168 microbial isolates from the surgical site. The most commonly isolated organisms were Gram-positive bacteria (65.5%) with domination of staphylococci (52.7%) as methicillin-resistant S aureus and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci. The second most common were enterococci (33.6%) with the presence of an high level aminoglycoside-resistant strains (64.9%) and vancomycin-resistant strains (2.7%). Gram-negative bacteria comprised 19% of positive cultures; among them were isolated extended spectrum beta-lactamase producers and carbapenem-resistant strains. Yeast-like fungi comprised 15.5% of positive cultures. In conclusion, we observed predominantly Gram-positive bacteria, comprising 65.5% of isolates. The increased proportion of multi-drug-resistant bacterial isolates may be due to the frequent prophylaxis of bacterial infections in patients.

Urinary tract infections in the early posttransplant period after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is among the common infection in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 26 adult patients undergoing SPKT between September 2001 and December 2006. All the patients were followed prospectively for UTI during the first 4 weeks after surgery. Urine samples were investigated for bacteriologic cultures. The micro-organisms were identified in accordance with standard bacteriologic procedures. Susceptibility testing was carried out using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) procedures. RESULTS: Among 77 urine specimens obtained from all recipients during the first month, there were 30 isolated bacterial strains. The most common were Gram-positive bacteria (53.3%) with predominance of enterococci (75%) associated with high levels of aminoglycoside resistant strains (HLAR; 58.3%) and vancomycin-resistant strains (VRE; 25%). Gram-negative bacteria were detected in 46.7% of positive cultures. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, enterococci predominated as 75% of Gram-positive isolates. The increased proportion of multi-drug-resistant bacteria, which can caused severe UTI in patients after SPKT, may be due to the frequent use of prophylaxis of bacterial infections in patients.

Etiologic agents of bacteremia in the early period after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Bacteremia is among the known complications in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKT). This study evaluated the frequency of microbial isolates and their susceptibility profiles among cultures of clinical samples obtained from blood and from the tips of blood vessel catheters of 26 SPKT recipients suspected of bacteremia in the early posttransplant period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data on microbiologic blood cultures of 26 adult patients undergoing SPKT were collected prospectively from 2001 to the end of 2006. The isolation and identification of cultured microorganisms were performed according to standard microbiological procedures and commercially available tests. The susceptibility of the strains to antibacterial agents was established by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. RESULTS: All patients were followed prospectively for the first 4 weeks after surgery. Among 66 clinical samples, there were 23 microbial isolates from blood samples of 17 recipients and catheter tips of 12 recipients. The most common isolates were Gram-positive bacteria (73.9%) with domination of staphylococci (64.7%) and MRCNS strains (81.8%). Gram-negative bacteria comprised 17.4% of positive cultures, whereas yeast-like fungi, 8.7% with a predominance of Candida glabrata. CONCLUSION: Our study showed predominately Gram-positive bacteria in 73.9% of isolates. The increased proportion of multi-drug-resistant bacteria and fungi to antimicrobial agents may be due to the frequent use of these agents for prophylaxis of bacterial infections in patients.