RESUMEN
Ammonia may cause poisoning due to inhalation or ingestion. Renal involvement in ammonia poisoning has been reported only once. A 30-year-old male working in an ice factory was accidentally exposed to liquid ammonia from a leaking hose, following which he had burns over his face and neck and severe abdominal pain. On day 2, he had deranged renal function, which was progressive. He was referred to us due to persistent renal dysfunction. A kidney biopsy was performed due to slow recovery of renal failure, which was suggestive of acute tubular necrosis. He was managed conservatively and showed gradual improvement over 12 days of his hospital stay. Renal functions normalized after 14 days of discharge. This case highlights the occurrence of renal involvement in ammonia poisoning.
RESUMEN
CONTEXT.: Galactose-deficient immunoglobulin A1 (Gd-IgA1) deposition in the renal mesangium plays a role in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy. OBJECTIVE.: To assess the serum Gd-IgA1 level in biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy cases on diagnosis and 3 months post treatment and its relation with histologic Oxford classification. DESIGN.: In this hospital-based prospective cohort study, 40 cases and 20 controls were enrolled. Serum samples of biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy cases collected on the day of biopsy and 3 months post treatment were evaluated. Solid-phase ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) was performed for assessment of Gd-IgA1 level. All renal biopsies were scored by using Oxford Classification (C-MEST score). The association of serum Gd-IgA1 levels with other established prognostic parameters was assessed. To estimate the prognostic value of markers, logistic regression analysis and Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA (analysis of variance) were used. RESULTS.: Significant difference was observed in the serum Gd-IgA1 level values in the IgA nephropathy cases and healthy controls (P = .001) at baseline. However, no significant correlation between serum Gd-IgA1 levels at baseline and 3 months of follow-up (P = .31) or between baseline levels and age, proteinuria, hematuria, or estimated glomerular filtration rate was noted. There was no significant correlation between C-MEST score and serum Gd-IgA1 levels at baseline (P > .05); however, the distribution of Gd-IgA1 at 3 months was found to differ significantly between different grades of S score (P = .008). CONCLUSIONS.: Serum Gd-IgA1 levels may be of utility in predicting disease progression in IgA nephropathy cases. Measurement of serum Gd-IgA1 levels for the diagnosis and prognosis of IgA nephropathy may preclude the need for invasive renal biopsies.
RESUMEN
ABSTRACT Imatinib, which inhibits tyrosine kinase activity of Bcr-Abl protein, is a standard form of treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Through its immunomodulatory effect it affects T cell function in a number of ways. It inhibits antigen-induced T cell activation and proliferation. Antigen-specific T-cells and macrophages are vital for protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Here we present a case of renal tuberculosis associated with imatinib therapy in the maintenance phase of CML. With granulomatous interstitial nephritis and positive tubercular DNA on renal biopsy, the condition was successfully treated with anti-tubercular therapy. This case provides support to the hypothesis that imatinib therapy in CML increases the susceptibility to tuberculosis and strict vigilance is required to enable its early detection and treatment.
RESUMO O imatinibe, um inibidor da atividade da tirosina-quinase da proteína BCR-ABL, faz parte do padrão de tratamento para leucemia mieloide crônica (LMC). Por conta de seu efeito imunomodulador, o imatinibe afeta a função dos linfócitos T de várias maneiras ao inibir a sua ativação e proliferação induzidas por antígenos. Linfócitos T e macrófagos antígeno-específicos são vitais para a proteção contra o Mycobacterium tuberculosis. O presente artigo relata um caso de tuberculose renal associada a terapia com imatinibe na fase de manutenção da LMC. Com nefrite intersticial granulomatosa e positividade para DNA de M. tuberculosis na biópsia renal, o paciente foi tratado com sucesso com terapia antituberculínica. O presente caso corrobora a hipótese de que a terapia com imatinibe na LMC aumenta a suscetibilidade à tuberculose, exigindo vigilância rigorosa para permitir sua detecção e tratamento precoces.