Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection Associated Acute Kidney Injury - A Study from a Tertiary Care Center in South India.

Influenza A (H1N1) infection in 2009 spread rapidly all over the world. Mortality was high in patients with H1N1-associated acute kidney injury (AKI). We estimated the incidence, risk factors of AKI and mortality associated with H1N1 infection. This is a prospective observational study, including 158 adult patients with H1N1 infection confirmed with real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction conducted between August 2016 and September 2017. AKIN criteria were used to define AKI. Of 158 patients in this study, 112 were male and the mean age was 46.4. Fifteen patients (9.5%) were found to have AKI. The mean age was higher (56.13 ± 10.02) in the AKI group compared to non-AKI (45.48 ± 16.26) (P = 0.007). Presence of shock, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), ventilatory support were observed more in the AKI group (P = 0.000). Among AKI patients, the requirement of dialysis was more than 50% (n = 8/15, 53.3%). Eighteen patients died following H1N1 infection (11.4%).Shock (n = 8/18, 44.4%, P = 0.000), MODS (n = 13/18, 72.2%, P = 0.000), intensive care unit (ICU) care (n = 17/18, 94.4%, P = 0.000), ventilatory support (n = 18/18, 100% P = 0.000), AKI (n = 11/18, 61.1%, P = 0.000), and requiring dialysis (n = 7/18, 38.9%, P = 0.000) were significantly associated with mortality compared to patients who survived. The incidence of H1N1 AKI was 9.5%, with > 50% requiring dialysis. Risk factors for AKI included older age, underlying chronic kidney disease, presentation with sepsis, shock, MODS, ICU care, and mechanical ventilation. Mortality was high in patients with AKI compared to non-AKI patients.

Pulmonary hypertension - prevalence, risk factors, and its association with vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease and hemodialysis patients.

Pulmonary hypertension (PHTN) is a recently recognized complication in dialysis and it is associated with a poor outcome. We estimated the prevalence of PHTN and its association with vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hemodialysis (HD) patients. One hundred and thirteen adult CKD patients were included in this study, of which 56 (49.6%) were on conservative treatment (nondialysis group) and 57 (50.4%) were on maintenance HD (dialysis group). Demographic, clinical, and biochemical parameters were collected and compared between the groups. Thirty-nine (69.6%) and 33 (57.8%) males were included in nondialysis and dialysis group, respectively. Mean age was 47.5 ± 13.7 in nondialysis group and 52.8 ± 13.9 in the dialysis group. PHTN was estimated using Doppler echocardiography and peripheral vascular calcification by lateral lumbar X-ray with aortic calcification scoring. Patients with and without PHTN and vascular calcification in dialysis and nondialysis group were compared. PHTN was found in 55 patients (48.7%) and it was high in patients on dialysis compared to nondialysis(59.6% vs. 37.5%, P <0.019). Abdominal aortic calcification was present in 35 patients (30.9%), dialysis versus nondialysis group was 22.8% and 39.3%. Increased left atrial diameter was significantly associated with PHTN (P <0.003), whereas peripheral artery calcification was not related to PHT (P = 0.248). The prevalence of PHTN in CKD was 48.7% which was higher in dialysis group than non dialysis group. Increased left atrial (LA) diameter was associated with PHTN but not peripheral arterial calcification.

Hansen's disease with lepra reaction presenting with IgA dominant infection related glomerulonephritis.

Various renal abnormalities in leprosy have been described largely in literature but the occurrence of IgA dominant infection related glomerulonephritis in leprosy with type 2 lepra reaction has not been reported so far. We present here a 60-year-old man with a history of leprosy in the past admitted with type 2 lepra reaction, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis with severe renal failure requiring dialysis and diagnosed to have IgA dominant infection related glomerulonephritis.

Low Concentration Trisodium Citrate as a Non-inferior Locking Agent for Non-tunneled Dialysis Catheters in the Asian Setting.

INTRODUCTION: Unfractionated heparin is the commonly used catheter lock solution in patients with temporary dialysis catheters as hemodialysis access. The effectiveness of trisodium citrate as an alternate catheter lock agent has not been studied in Asian population. METHODS: In this prospective quasi-experimental study, which included 180 patients with central venous dialysis catheter, patients were randomly allotted to citrate 4.67% and heparin 5000 units/ml arms in the ratio of 2:1. Baseline demographic and dialysis related data, incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infections, and mean catheter days in both the study cohorts were collected and compared. Formal cost analysis for citrate 4.67% use as catheter lock was done. RESULTS: The mean age of the total study population was 50.49 ± 14.87 years. Sixty-six females (36.7%) and 80 (44.4%) diabetic patients were included in the study. The overall incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) was 11.11%. The majority had nontunneled dialysis catheters (95%; n = 114). On analyzing the data of patients with nontunneled catheters, it was found that the total number of catheter days for the citrate and heparin groups were 4,795 and 2,419 days, respectively. The number of CRBSI episodes per 1,000 catheter days for the citrate and heparin groups were 2.711 and 2.89, respectively. Citrate catheter lock cost only 6% of that of heparin lock. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of catheter related bloodstream infections was comparable between the heparin and citrate 4.67% lock cohorts. The use of low concentration citrate as catheter lock was cost-effective when compared with heparin.

Renal tubular dysfunction with nephrocalcinosis in a patient with beta thalassemia minor.

Thalassemia is a hereditary anemia resulting from defect in hemoglobin production. Beta thalassemia is due to impaired production of beta globin chains, leading to a relative excess of alpha globin chains. The term beta thalassemia minor is used to describe heterozygotes, who carry one normal beta globin allele and one beta thalassemic allele. The vast majority of these patients are asymptomatic. However, a variety of renal tubular abnormalities including hypercalciuria, hypo-magnesemia with renal magnesium wasting, decreased tubular absorption of phosphorus, hypo-uricemia with renal uric acid wasting, renal glycosuria and tubular proteinuria have been described even in patients with beta thalassemia minor. We here in report a 24-year old female patient who was found to have thalassemia minor and nephrocalcinosis with evidence of renal tubular dysfunction. Investigations revealed normal renal function, hypercalciuria, reduced tubular reabsorption of phosphorus, hypomagnesemia and renal magnesium wasting. Screening for aminoaciduria was found to be negative. An acid loading test revealed normal urinary acidification. Ultrasonogram of the abdomen revealed nephrocalcinosis and splenomegaly. Detailed work up for anemia showed normal white cell and platelet count while peripheral smear showed microcytic hypochromic anemia with few target cells. Hemoglobin electrophoresis revealed hemoglobin A of 92%, hemoglobin A2 of 6.2% and hemo-globin F of 1.8% consistent with beta thalassemia minor. Her parental screening was normal. A diagnosis of beta thalassemia minor with renal tubular dysfunction was made and the patient was started on thiazide diuretics to reduce hypercalciuria and advised regular follow-up.

Primary HIV infection presenting as non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure.

Renal disease is a relatively common complication in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A collapsing form of focal glomerulosclerosis has been considered as the primary form of HIV nephropathy. HIV infection is also associated with an increasing number of different forms of renal disease. Acute renal failure (ARF) syndromes are frequently noted during the course of HIV infection. The most common include the following: acute and often reversible renal failure resulting from infection, hypotension, and administration of nephrotoxins used to treat opportunistic infections, and the use of highly active anti-retroviral therapy. ARF has been reported in up to 20% of hospitalized HIV infected patients compared to 3 to 5% of non-HIV infected patients. Primary HIV infection is usually symptomatic, and infected patients can present with a variety of symptoms. Although ARF syndromes are frequently noted during the course of infection, it is an uncommon presentation of primary HIV infection. We describe a 42-year-old man who presented at our hospital with acute self-limited rhabdomyolysis and who was found to have primary HIV infection. Our case and other reports suggest that a diagnosis of primary HIV infection needs to be considered in patients who present with acute rhabdomyolysis.