Contrast media-induced nephropathy in Tunisia: prospective case-control study with cardio-nephrological monitoring.

Introduction: vascular opacification using iodinated contrast media (ICM) is often the primary diagnostic and therapeutic approach. However, the risk of post-injection nephrotoxicity of ICM is significantly higher in patients with underlying nephropathy. This study aimed to determine the incidence of Contrast Media Induced Nephropathy (CMIN) and identify predictive factors for its occurrence in patients from a cardiology department. Methods: our prospective study involved 158 patients who underwent coronary angiography or angioplasty at the cardiology department between December 2017 and May 2018. Two types of ICM were used in our study: Iopromide and Iohexol. All patients received either physiological serum (9‰) or bicarbonate serum (14‰) intravenously for hydration. We defined impaired renal function as an increase in creatinine ranging from 10 to 26 µmol/L, while CMIN was defined as an increase in serum creatinine exceeding 26.5 µmol/L. We investigated the factors associated with CMIN using logistic regression analysis. Results: the mean age of our patients was 60 ± 11 years (range: 29-82), with a predominance of men 63.9% (n=101). The most common cardiovascular risk factors were tobacco (36.1%, n = 57), diabetes (48.1%, n =76), hypertension (55%, n = 87). Pre-procedural creatinine averaged 81.1 ± 47.3 µmol / L with extremes ranging from 39 to 600 µmol / L. The median Mehran risk score was 3.2 (range: 0- 15). The interventional cardiology act consisted of coronary angiography in 86.2% (n=136) of cases, coronary angioplasty in 2.5% (n=4) of cases. We used iohexol and iopromide in 57.6% (n=91) and 42.4% (n=67) of cases, respectively. The overall incidence of CMIN was 9.5% (n=9). The multivariable regression analysis identified 4 risk factors independently linked to the occurrence of CMIN which were Pre-existing renal failure (OR: 6.05, 95%CI [1.23-29.62], p = 0.026), anemia (OR: 0.043, CI [1.03-8.96], p = 0.043), the toxic dose of PC (OR: 4.7, CI [1.28-17.7], p=0.02), and at a Mehran score = 11 (OR: 3.7, CI [0.88-15.6], p=0.036). Conclusion: the most effective approach for CMIN is prevention, which focuses on addressing modifiable risk factors to minimize the risk especially in patients with pre-existing renal failure.

Readmissions to kidney transplantation department: incidence, causes and risk factors.

Introduction: hospital readmission after kidney transplantation is an important metric for health care quality, which associated with increased morbidity, costs and transition-of-care errors. It is influenced by population demographics and the comprehensiveness of the healthcare system. The aim of this study was to evaluate incidence causes and risk factors associated with hospital readmission within the first year after transplantation. Methods: all patients undergoing kidney transplantation at a single center over a ten-year period were analyzed via retrospective chart review. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify associated factors. Results: in 86 patients, the incidence of unplanned readmissions within the first year was 68.6% (n = 59). The main reasons for HR were infection (33%), renal events (32%), surgical complications (16%), and metabolic disturbances (9%). In univariate analyses, hospital readmission was associated with Dyslipidemia p=0.04; OR=2.6; 95% CI= [1.93-13.17], anemia p=0.011; OR=4.5; 95% CI = [1.33-15.6], hemodialysis p=0,012; OR=4.8 ; 95% CI= [1.3-18.5], new onset diabetes after transplantation p=0.05 ; OR=3.5 ; 95% CI= [1.6-13,80], medical history of cardiomyopathy p=0,016 ; OR=6.4 ; 95% CI = [5.4-7.5]. While independent risk factors were: hemodialysis vintage and cardiomyopathy. There was no difference in one-year patient survival and death-censored graft survival in HR group and non-HR group. Conclusion: hospital readmissions severely affect a patient's physical and mental well-being after kidney transplantation, which is also independently associated with morbidity. Our study showed that risk factors associated with hospital readmission often reflect pretransplant comorbidity.

Malignant hypertension secondary to iliac artery stenosis after kidney transplantation: a case report.

Iliac artery stenosis is a rare complication after renal transplantation. This complication affects elderly patients and related to atheromatous disease. It mimics the same clinical presentation as a transplant renal artery stenosis or renal artery stenosis. This entity is can be responsible for serious complications such as renal dysfunction, malignant hypertension and acute pulmonary oedema. We present in this paper the case of a 51-year-old patient, who benefited 7 years early of renal transplantation, with a good initial result, and who was admitted actually for malignant hypertension and renal function impairment due to an iliac artery stenosis proximal to the renal transplant and who was treated with a stenting angioplasty of the external iliac artery with a mixed outcome. Our case highlights the importance of the early diagnosis and treatment of such complications to avoid definitive renal failure and permanent hypertension.

Anti-glomerular basement membrane disease with intense nephrotic syndrome: a new case report.

Anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) disease was usually described as a small vessel vasculitis presenting with acute kidney injury, haematuria and non-nephrotic proteinuria. We report a case of anti-GBM disease revealed by an intense nephrotic syndrome. The urinary protein level was 12g/day. Renal biopsy only showed crescent glomerulonephritis with linear staining of IgG in direct immunofluorescence without other glomerulonephritis. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-GBM antibody titer was elevated.

Prognostic Value of Mesangial C4d Staining in IgA Nephropathy: A Tunisian Study.

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerular disease. The main challenge in this disease is the evaluation of prognostic factors for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The aim of our study was to assess the clinical and prognostic implications of C4d staining in primary IgAN. This was a retrospective study, including adults with primary IgAN. The study was conducted over a period of 10 years. Renal biopsies were scored according to the Oxford classification. C4d immunohistochemical staining was performed. We included 44 patients with a sex ratio of 2.6. The average age was 35.1 ± 11 years. Twenty-two patients (57%) had hypertension (HTN). The median proteinuria was 1.92 g/day. The median of the glomerular filtration rate was 47.66 mL/min/1.73 m2. According to the Oxford classification, mesangial proliferation, endocapillary proliferation, glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis and/or tubular atrophy and crescents were present in 41%, 36%, 86%, 34%, and 25 % of cases, respectively. We found positive glomerular C4d staining in 25 renal biopsies (57%). Age at diagnosis, mean arterial pressure, HTN, and baseline glomerular filtration rate were not correlated with C4d staining. On the other hand, proteinuria was significantly higher in patients with C4d-positive renal biopsy. The median follow-up duration was 30.5 months. Ten patients (23%) reached ESRD. At univariate analysis, positive C4d staining in more than 25% of glomeruli in patients without C1q deposition in the immunofluorescent study was associated with ESRD. Our study confirms the prognostic value of C4d staining in primary IgAN.

Comparison of changes in pulse wave velocity in patients on peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death of dialyzed patients. Aortic stiffness, evaluated by the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), is now considered as a prognostic factor for cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic kidney diseases. The peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients had significantly stiffer arteries. cfPWV was 9.12 ± 2.7 m/s in PD patients without significant correlation compared to hemodialysis (HD) patients (8.97 ± 2.52 m/s). In the univariate study, we found a statistically significant correlation between PWV and age (P = 0), between the pulse wave velocity and phosphorus (P = 0.46), between the VOP and PTH (P = 0.013) and between PWV and dyslipidemia (P = 0.014). Other variables such as phospho-calcic product, hemoglobin, total cholesterol, and KT/V were not significant. To identify the risk factors independently linked to the event, we conducted a multi-varied analysis. A correlation was found between VOP and dyslipidemia (P = 0.008). The other variables were insignificant.

Prevalence and predicting factors of increased arterial stiffness in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) is the noninvasive gold standard technique for measuring aortic stiffness. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common genetic renal disease in adults. It is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular complications. We aimed to assess the prevalence of increased arterial stiffness and its predicting factors in a population of ADPKD patients. Sixty-two patients with ADPKD underwent noninvasive measurement of cf-PWV using a COMPLIOR Analyse device. Recruitment period was 17 months and we used the cut-off of 10 m/s to define a high cf-PWV. Mean age was 51 ± 12.7 years. Gender ratio male/female was 0.63. Smoking, hypertension (HTN), and dyslipidemia were reported in 14%, 66%, and 27% of the cases, respectively. Mean glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 47.7 ± 44 mL/min/1.73 m2. Among our patients, 39% had chronic kidney disease stages 1 or 2 and 45% stage 5 (40% stage 5D). Mean cf-PWV was 9 ± 2.4 m/s, and 31% of the patients had a high cf-PWV. In univariate analysis of all our patients, cf- PWV correlated with age (r = 0.565; P <10-3), GFR (r = -0.268;P = 0.035), C-reactive protein (r = 0.447; P = 0.007), peripheral systolic arterial pressure (r = 0.309; P = 0.015), and peripheral pulse pressure (r = 0.335; P = 0.008). Patients with high cf-PWV were on average nine years older than the others. Patients with HTN were 3.84 times more likely to have high cf-PWV (P = 0.046). cf-PWV did not seem to be lower with any antihypertensive treatment. A level of C-reactive protein higher than 10 mg/L was the only independent predicting factor of a high cf-PWV in multivariate analysis (P = 0.043). Our study confirmed the relationship between cf-PWV and age, renal failure, and HTN in patients with ADPKD. It also emphasized the close relationship between systemic inflammation and arterial stiffness in this nephropathy.

Epstein Syndrome.

Epstein syndrome is characterized by sensorineural hearing impairment, macro- thrombocytopenia without neutrophil inclusion bodies, and hereditary nephritis which can progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in adolescence. The prognosis of Epstein's syndrome depends on the severity of the hematological disorders and renal involvement that can lead to ESRD at an early age. Thrombocytopenia in Epstein syndrome is not an absolute contraindication for major surgical procedures like arteriovenous fistula formation or kidney transplantation. There are no set guidelines for preoperative prophylaxis in a patient with this pathology.

Pellagra Disease in a Hemodialysis Patient.

Pellagra usually results from niacin deficiency and presents with the classic triad of dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia. It is most commonly associated with malnutrition and poverty. We report a case of pellagra in a hemodialysis (HD) patient with breast neoplasia, aged 68-years, female, on HD unit for seven years. Her original nephropathy was indeterminate. The patient was followed up for homozygous beta-thalassemia and breast neoplasia with hepatic metastases on chemotherapy. The body mass index of the patient was 18.5 kg/m2. Physical examination showed a thickening of the epidermis with a scaly surface, pigmented, and atrophied areas. We noted neuropsychiatric signs (apathy, irritability, anorexia, and depression) and digestive symptomatology (diarrhea). The laboratory tests revealed hypoproteinemia at 55 g/L, hypoalbuminemia at 21 g/L, and hypocholesterolemia at 0.8 g/L. The diagnosis of pellagra disease was made. Vitamin and protein supplementation was initiated, but the patient committed suicide by puncture of her arteriovenous fistula, causing hemorrhagic shock. Pellagra is usually reported to be associated with malnutrition, chronic alcoholism, and some chemotherapeutic agents. In our patient, pellagra was caused by malnutrition and co-morbidities. Pellagra disease requires multidisciplinary care and can be frequently seen in HD patients due to the associated malnutrition.

Evaluation of electrocardiographic findings before and after hemodialysis session.

Dialysis patients have higher rates of sudden cardiac death. The study of the electrocardiogram could identify patients at risk of developing rhythm disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the electrocardiographic findings before and after the hemodialysis (HD) session and to examine associations of clinical and serum electrolytes with electrocardiogram findings. We conducted a multicentric transversal study, including chronic HD patients during January 2018. Standard 12-lead electrocardiogram was recorded, before and after the HD session. A medical history was documented. It included age, gender, initial nephropathy, and comorbidities. Serum potassium and total serum calcium were measured before a routine HD session. Serum potassium was measured after HD session. Corrected QT for heart rate was calculated using Bazett's formula. The study included 66 patients. Nineteen patients (28.8%) had hyperkalemia before the HD session and 44 (66.7%) patients had hypokalemia after the HD session. Seventeen patients had prolonged QTc interval (25.7%). On multiple regression analysis, only the prolonged QTc interval was significantly correlated with the serum potassium (P = 0.046).When comparing the mean values of electrocardiogram parameters before and after the HD session, we noted a significant change of heart rate (P = 0.001), R wave (P = 0.016), T wave (P = 0.001), and T/R (P = 0.001) wave. Delta K+ did not correlate with the change in T wave amplitude (r = 0.23, P = 0.59), R wave amplitude (r = -0.16, P = 0.2), T/R wave (r = 0.055, P = 0.65), or QRS duration (r = 0.023, P = 0.85). Delta QTc was correlated to ΔK+. We conclude that usual electrographic manifestations of hyperkalemia are less pronounced in HD patients. Our results confirmed the unstable status of cardiac electrophysiology during HD session.

Prognostic value of the Oxford classification and the Oxford score in IgA nephropathy: A Tunisian study.

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy is the most common primary glomerular disease. The main challenge in this disease is the evaluation of prognostic factors for end-stage renal disease. The aim of our study was to describe the characteristics of immunoglobulin A nephropathy, to evaluate the histological data according to Oxford classification, and to identify factors associated with renal survival. This was a retrospective study, including adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy. The study was conducted over a period of 10 years. Renal biopsies were scored according to Oxford classification. Oxford score, based on the sum of the different histological lesions of Oxford classification, was calculated for each patient. We included 50 patients with a gender ratio (male:female) of 2.8. The average age was 35.6 ± 10.6 years. Fifty-eight percent of the patients had hypertension (HTN). The median proteinuria was 1.9 g/day. The median of the glomerular filtration rate was 47.6 mL/min/1.73 m2. According to Oxford classification, mesangial proliferation, endocapillary proliferation, glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, and/or tubular atrophy and crescents were present in 40%, 38%, 88%, 36%, and 22% of the cases, respectively. The median Oxford score was 2. The median follow-up duration was 30 months. Ten patients (20%) reached end-stage renal disease. At univariate analysis, HTN, glomerular filtration rate, proteinuria, tubular involvement, and Oxford score >3 were associated with progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Tubular involvement was an independent risk factor for ESRD. Our study confirms the prognostic value of the Oxford classification in immunoglobulin A nephropathy.

Thalidomide-induced bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia in a patient with multiple myeloma.

Thalidomide, which is an angiogenesis inhibitor and immunomodulator that reduces tumor necrosis factor-alpha, has regained value in the treatment of multiple myeloma. Serious pulmonary complications due to thalidomide use remain relatively uncommon. We describe a case of bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) due to thalidomide. A 51-year-old man with IgG lambda myeloma was treated with thalidomide and dexamethasone. Seven days after the beginning of chemotherapy, the patient presented a fever and a persistent cough. Auscultation revealed crackles in both pulmonary bases. The chest X-ray showed a diffuse bilateral alveolar-interstitial syndrome. Computed tomography scan revealed bilateral pulmonary involvement, with bilateral interstitial alveolar infiltration and ground-glass pattern consolidations. Pulmonary infection, malignant tumor, and lung involvement of multiple myeloma were excluded through various tests. Thalidomide-induced BOOP was suspected, and the drug was withdrawn and replaced by Melphalan. The patient had complete resolution of his symptoms and radiologic pulmonary involvement on discontinuation of the drug. In the absence of other etiologies, physicians should be cognizant of this potential complication in patients receiving thalidomide who present with respiratory symptoms.

Determinants of patency of arteriovenous fistula in hemodialysis patients.

The arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the vascular access of the first choice for hemodialysis (HD). Studies on patency of AVF and its affecting factors reveal a high risk for access failure. The aim of this study was to assess the primary and secondary AVF patency and their determinant factors. It was a retrospective, descriptive study conducted in the HD facility of the Nephrology Department in Rabta University Hospital. We included AVF created before December 2009 in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The end of the follow-up was fixed in December 2013. We included 126 AVFs created in 111 patients; 22.5% were aged >65 years, 39.6% were diabetic, 68.5% were hypertensive, and 26.1% had peripheral vascular disease. The primary patency rates were 78% at one year and 42% at five years. The secondary patency rates were 80% at one year and 69% at five years. Multivariate analysis revealed that the factors affecting the primary patency of AVF were: the use of jugular catheter for longer than three months (odds ratio (OR):1.91, P = 0.044) and a C-reactive protein >5 mg/L (OR: 1.7, P = 0.049). Aging (>65 years) (OR: 2.46, P = 0.042), referral time to a nephrologist <6 months before onset of ESRD (OR: 2.87, P = 0.015), absence of an antiplatelet therapy (OR: 4.47, P = 0.005), and serum phosphorus <45 mg/L (OR: 2.07, P = 0.045) were the significant impairing risk factors for secondary AVF patency. Our study suggests that early referral and creation of AVF and maturation before ESRD as well as its adequate monitoring are essential for maintaining patency.

Nephrotoxicity of Ciprofloxacin: Five Cases and a Review of the Literature.

Fluoroquinolones are usually well tolerated with a minimum of serious adverse effects; renal toxicity is uncommon. Apart from the renal side effects of ciprofloxacin, we aimed to highlight the renal impact of a ciprofloxacin overdose, and thus conducted a prospective study in the Department of Nephrology at La Rabta Hospital between 2010 and 2015. The cohort database was continually updated until the inclusion of five patients who were subjected to an overdose and who were initially admitted to the medical intensive care unit and then transferred to our department for acute renal failure (ARF) due to ciprofloxacin ingestion requiring urgent hemodialysis. All patients developed ARF after 12-36 h of ingestion. Renal ultrasound was normal in all cases. Twenty-four-hour proteinuria was present but not significant in one case, while microscopic hematuria was present in one case. Treatment consisted of supportive therapy and extrarenal purification by conventional intermittent hemodialysis. Four patients recovered normal renal function within 3 weeks and the remaining patient eventually had chronic kidney failure.

A case of renal granulomatosis with polyangiitis following intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy.

Various adverse reactions may occur after intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy. Although the virulence of attenuated BCG is low, serious complications such as bacterial cystitis, bladder contractures, granulomatous prostatitis, epididymitis, orchitis, and systemic reactions such as fever and malaise have been described. Disseminated granulomatosis such as hepatitis and pneumonitis have also been described, but are rare. We report here the case of a 67-year-old patient who presented with renal granulomatosis with polyangiitis following intravesical BCG therapy for superficial bladder tumor. The biological evaluation revealed the presence of perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies with specificity for antimyeloperoxidase. Renal biopsy specimen revealed pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis with segmental glomerular necrosis, presence of granulomas and no evidence of any caseating necrosis. He received antituberculosis drugs in addition to corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide without any improvement of the renal function.

The diagnosis of tuberculosis in dialysis patients.

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) is high in patients undergoing chronic dialysis than it is in the general population. The diagnosis of TB is often difficult and extrapulmonary involvement is predominant. This study investigates the spectrum of clinical presentations and outcome in dialysis patients during a nine-year period. TB was diagnosed in 41 patients. Anti-TB drugs, adverse effects of therapy, and outcome were noted. Thirty-eight patients (92.6%) were on hemodialysis and three were on peritoneal dialysis (7.3%). The mean age at diagnosis was 50.8 years and the male/female ratio was 1.16. Four patients had a history of pulmonary TB. Extrapulmonary involvement was observed in 32 (78 %) patients. The bacteriological confirmation was made in 41.46% and histological confirmation was made in 26.83%, and in the rest, the diagnosis was retained on the criterion presumption. Nineteen patients (46.34%) developed adverse effects of antitubercular drugs. Eight patients (19.51%) died during the study from TB or adverse effects of treatment. Low urea reduction ratio and female sex were associated with poor prognosis in our study. The clinical manifestations of TB in patients on dialysis are quite nonspecific, making timely diagnosis difficult, and delaying the initiation of curative treatment, which is a major determinant of the outcome.

Disseminated cryptococcosis as a complication of lupus nephritis.

Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal infection affects predominately the central nervous system in HIV patients and patients with other immunocompromised states. It has rarely been described in immunocompetent patients. It is a serious infection with a high of mortality rate. We describe a case of a 48-year-old patient diagnosed with lupus nephritis treated with corticosteroids and mycophenolate mofetil who developed central nervous cryptococcosis complicated by septicemia. She died despite the use of antifungals. Cryptococcal infection is an uncommon, but often a fatal complication of systemic lupus erythematosus. Timely diagnosis and effective antifungal therapy could improve its prognosis.

A rare cardiac manifestation in autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a systemic disorder associated with various extrarenal complications. There is little information regarding the occurrence and distribution of cardiovascular abnormalities during the course of ADPKD. The major cardiovascular complications of ADPKD include valvulopathies and vascular ectasia. Aneurysm of the atrial septum (ASA) is a very rare manifestation in ADPKD. A 37-year-old woman who was diagnosed with ADPKD was admitted to our hospital for advanced renal failure. Pelvic computed tomography revealed multiple variable-sized cysts in both kidneys. Trans-thoracic echocardiography showed ASA while the patient was completely asymptomatic.

Kidney involvement in Crow-Fukase syndrome.

Crow-Fukase syndrome, also known as POEMS syndrome, is a rare plasma dyscrasia characterized by monoclonal gammopathy and various combinations of polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy and dermatological changes, and their initials stand for the acronym POEMS. Substantial kidney involvement is rarely related to this disease. Our report is about five patients suffering from the POEMS syndrome with kidney involvement that rapidly progressed to end-stage renal disease. Our report is about three females and two males with a mean age of 60.6 years. Neuropathy was noted in all the cases. Endocrinopathy included hypothyroidism and/or diabetes. Skin changes were noted in one case, and included peri-orbital hyperpigmentation. Monoclonal gammopathy was present in all the cases and was related to multiple myeloma in three cases. Kidney involvement presented in all the five cases. Treatment included Melphalan, Thalidomid, steroids and hemodialysis. Survival was short for three patients, from five to 34 months.