Hypopituitarism in patients with vasculotoxic snake bite envenomation related acute kidney injury: a prospective study on the prevalence and outcomes of this complication.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in patients with vasculotoxic snake bite (SB) envenomation but hypopituitarism (HP) is an uncommonly reported complication. We conducted a prospective observational study on survivors of SB-AKI who were evaluated and followed up from September 2010 till September 2012. Pituitary function tests were done if they developed any symptoms of HP. MRI of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis was done in those with documented HP. Response to therapy in the form of improvement in the quality of life (QoL) was evaluated by asking patients to mark on a visual analogue scale marked over 0-100 mm which was reported as percentage improvement. 126 patients were included for this study (30 were lost to follow up and were excluded). 25 cases were clinically suspected to have pituitary dysfunction and underwent evaluation with 9 (9.37%, n = 96) found to have evidence of HP. One child had partial empty sella on MRI with anterior as well as posterior pituitary abnormality and stunting; imaging was normal in others. Higher number of patients with HP had hypotension (p = 0.005, n = 7), coagulation abnormalities (p = 0.005, n = 9), severe clinical snake bite envenomation (p = 0.024, n = 9) and progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD) (p = 0.001, n = 5) as compared to those who did not. Dialysis dependence at presentation was not significantly different (p = 0.348, n = 9). Only development of CKD on follow up predicted the development of HP. Patients had an improvement in the QoL after treatment with mean score on the visual analogue scale of 66.67 ± 14.14%. HP is not very uncommon in patients with severe vasculotoxic SB-AKI. Threshold of clinical suspicion and evaluation should be low as it causes significant morbidity.

Safety and feasibility of outpatient percutaneous native kidney biopsy in the developing world: experience in a large tertiary care centre in Eastern India.

AIM: Optimal time of observation following percutaneous biopsy has not been clearly established. Outpatient biopsy protocol was established in our centre for low risk patients and we assessed its efficacy and safety. METHODS: Patients fulfilling the low risk profile underwent a real time ultrasound-guided percutaneous native kidney biopsy. They were observed for 6 h and any complication was recorded. Ultrasound and hematocrit was done only in those patients with complications. Patients were contacted on telephone after 24 h and in case of any emergency. RESULTS: A total of 403 native kidney biopsies were performed from June 2011 to June 2012 of which 115 (28.5%) were on an outpatient basis. This was a 41.4% increase in the number of biopsies compared to the same period in the previous year. Fifteen patients (13.04%) had macroscopic haematuria within 2, 4 and 6 h in eight (53.33%), six (40%) and one (6.67%) patient, respectively. One of them had haematuria on follow-up phone call resolving without intervention. Only two (1.74%) patients developed significant bleeding with a drop in haematocrit needing overnight observation, with one requiring blood transfusion (with perinephric haematoma not requiring intervention). Complication rates were also similar in the 288 patients who had at least an overnight inpatient observation post-biopsy. There was no biopsy related mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous native kidney biopsies can be safely performed on an outpatient basis in selected low risk patients. This approach increases the number of procedures, decreases the waiting periods and can have potential cost savings making it an attractive option in the developing world.

Non-IgA mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis: a benign entity?

BACKGROUND: Non-IgA mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis is a well recognized but less studied entity. The clinical manifestations, treatment response and long-term outcome have not been clearly defined. METHODS: This single-centre study included patients with biopsy-proven non-IgA mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis who had been on regular follow-up for >3 years. Their clinical features at presentation, response to therapy and long-term renal outcome are addressed in this study. RESULTS: Nephrotic syndrome developed in 51 of 57 patients (89.4%). The majority of them--34 of 51(80%)--were steroid sensitive and had either infrequent or no relapse. However, steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome occurred in eight patients (15.6%), while steroid resistance occurred in nine patients (17.6 %). Thirteen patients developed chronic kidney disease (CKD) with three progressing to end-stage renal disease, three to CKD Stage 4 and seven to CKD Stage 3. CONCLUSIONS: Non-IgA mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis is a disease, which is not benign, and is associated with significant treatment-related morbidity.

Effect of Chronotherapy of Antihypertensives in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Randomized Control Trial.

INTRODUCTION: There is a higher prevalence of non-dipping pattern in hypertensive chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Nocturnal hypertension has been shown to predict cardiovascular mortality and morbidity and is often superior to daytime blood pressure. We studied the effect of shifting or adding antihypertensive to night time on blood pressure profile of CKD III-IV patients. METHODS: In this single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial, eligible participants were adults from eastern India aged 18-65 years with CKD stages 3 and 4, with a non-dipping pattern on ambulatory blood pressure monitor (ABPM). The intervention group received all the antihypertensives in the night time whereas the standard care group continued to take the medication in the morning. Both groups were followed up for 1 year. The primary outcome was the number of patients changed from non-dippers to dippers in the standard care group and intervention group. Secondary outcomes included a change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and change in the cardiac structure. RESULTS: 39 patients in the intervention group and 36 patients in the standard care group were analyzed. 10 patients (26%) reverted to dipping pattern in the intervention group as compared to none in the standard care group. Mean changes in eGFR were -2.55 and -0.18 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the standard care and intervention group at the end of the study, respectively. Between-group difference in eGFR was significant at 1 year (5.22 [95% CI, 4.3-6.1] ml/min/1.73 m2); (P = 0.03). The cardiac structure showed no significant changes in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Bedtime administration of antihypertensives reverted non-dippers to dippers and slowed the decline in eGFR in CKD stages 3 and 4 compared to morning administration of antihypertensives.

The changing face of pregnancy-related acute kidney injury from eastern part of India: A hospital-based, prospective, observational study.

This study was initiated to look into the etiologies, prevalence, and outcome of pregnancy-related acute kidney injury (PRAKI) in a tertiary care hospital. Women admitted with PRAKI from January 2015 to December 2016 were included in the study. All patients were investigated and treated and followed up for the next six months.. For statistical analysis, Chi- square test and analysis of variance were performed to analyze the data. Multivariate analysis was applied to compare the risk of nonrecovery of renal function in different etiologies of PRAKI. During the study period, 81 patients were admitted with PRAKI, of whom 68 (84%) received hemodialysis (HD). A total of 449 patients including all cases of AKI underwent HD from January 2015 to June 2016. The incidence of dialysis requiring PRAKI was 68 out of the 449 patients (15%). Sixty-eight (84%) patients required dialysis support while the most common cause was sepsis (49%), with the second being pregnancy-associated atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome (P-aHUS) (17%) followed by obstetric hemorrhages (16%). There was a significant reduction of first-trimester AKI (8.6%) compared to a previous study published from this institute (19.3%). The maternal mortality (25%) and fetal mortality (23.5%) were high. Nearly 39% of the patients had complete recovery of renal function. This study revealed significant PRAKI burden due to a largely preventable cause, puerperal sepsis. Renal survival was poor in P- aHUS. The gaps in the obstetric care may be identified for the improvement of fetomaternal outcome.

Spectrum of renal allograft biopsy: A five-year experience at a tertiary care center of Eastern India.

Renal allograft dysfunction (RAD) can have myriad causes and presentations. Allograft biopsy remains the gold standard for optimum management. This is a retrospective study carried out at a tertiary care institute from August 2011 to March 2016. Details of the renal allograft biopsy requisitions were recorded and analyzed. Two hundred and two patients had undergone kidney transplantation (KT) during the study period. One hundred and twenty-six had undergone renal biopsy for RAD. The acute asymptomatic rise of serum creatinine was the most common clinical presentation (47.61%) followed by chronic RAD (CRAD) (19.84%), proteinuria (15.87%), immediate graft dysfunction (10.31%), and persistent active urinary sediments (6.34%) in that order. The incidence of delayed graft function was 1.98%. The overall incidence of biopsy-proven rejection was 8.41% within oneyear and 8.91% beyond oneyear of transplant. Acute cellular rejection (ACR) [with or without antibody-mediated rejection (AMR)] was found in 65%; AMR was found in 40% and 15% had both ACR and AMR. Borderline acute cell-mediated rejection was found in 22.5% of biopsies. CRAD was due to chronic rejection and chronic calcineurin inhibitor toxicity in only about one-fourth of the cases. Incidence of glomerulo-nephritis was 10.89% and most of these occurred two years after KT. Renal allograft biopsy was associated with minor complications in 3.17% of cases. Clinical presentations do not reliably distinguish the various causes of RAD. Allograft biopsy is a mainstay in the diagnosis of RAD and is safe. Results of live donor first transplantation using complement-dependent cytotoxi-city crossmatch are comparable to those programs using newer methods like solid-phase assays. However, the direct comparison of these results with other studies may not be completely applicable.

A Cross-sectional Prospective Study of Asymptomatic Urinary Abnormalities, Blood Pressure, and Body Mass Index in Healthy School Children.

INTRODUCTION: Screening school children for urinary abnormalities is an inexpensive task but is not commonly undertaken in India. Although debated in western countries, its utility in early diagnosis of kidney disorders has been proved by studies from Asia. We examined the prevalence of asymptomatic urinary abnormalities (AUA), obesity, and hypertension in school children and analyzed data to identify potential risk factors among those detected with such abnormalities. METHODS: Children and adolescents 8 to 18 years of age of either gender, attending 14 public schools in West Bengal, were screened prospectively from July 2013 to July 2016 for detecting asymptomatic urinary abnormalities by a spot urine test using a dipstick. Sociodemographic profile, medical examination (weight, height, and blood pressure), and questionnaire-based data were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 11,000 children were screened. Of these, data from 9306 children were available for AUA, obesity, and hypertension. The prevalence rate was 7.44% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 6.91%-7.97%) for at least 1 AUA. Isolated hematuria was present in 5.2% (95% CI 4.75%-5.65%), whereas isolated proteinuria was present in 1.9% (95% CI = 1.62%-2.18%). The prevalence of prehypertension was 13.43% (95% CI = 12.74%-14.12%) and that of hypertension and abnormal body mass index was 4.05% (95% CI = 6.43%-7.47%) and 38.67 (95% CI = 37.68%-39.66%) respectively. DISCUSSION: The prevalence rates of AUA were comparable with those in some Asian countries but higher than in most developed countries. Of children and adolescents 8 to 18 years of age, those 13 to 18 years had significantly more high risk factors such as AUA, hypertension, and obesity.

Incidence of CMV-HCV coinfection in renal transplant recipient.

The authors report a case of a 47-year-old cytomegalovirus (CMV) immunoglobulin G (IgG) seropositive male patient with end stage renal disease who received a live renal transplant from a CMV IgG seropositive donor. Six months post-transplantation, the patient presented with reduced renal allograft function associated with fever, severe breathlessness, new onset jaundice and pancytopenia. His CMV DNA PCR came positive. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA PCR also came positive (genotype I) though anti-HCV test performed before and after transplantation was negative. The patient was treated with oral valganciclovir and showed improvement of his clinical condition and was subsequently discharged under supervised therapy. However, the patient could not be treated for HCV because of risk of renal allograft rejection. The authors suggest oral valganciclovir for management of CMV infection and proper detection and eradication of HCV before renal transplantation to avoid future complications and prolongation of allograft survival.

Herpes labialis in patients with Russell's viper bite and acute kidney injury: a single center experience.

Snake bite is an important health hazard in tropical countries and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Herpes labialis is a common ailment caused by the Herpes simplex virus. There is no published data showing any association between the snake bite and development of Herpes labialis. Here, we present a series of patients who developed Herpes labialis after Russell's viper bite and had acute kidney injury. We attempted to find whether snake bite is an immunosuppressed state and whether it could have pre-disposed the patients to the development of these lesions.

An unusual presentation of tuberculous lymphadenitis.

A 43 years male presented with recurrent epistaxis and had generalised lymphadenopathy on examination. No haematological disorder could be established even after bone marrow aspiration and biopsy but the patient was found to have tuberculosis of the lymph node on histopathology, with severe thrombocytopenia in the peripheral blood and increased platelet precursor in the marrow suggesting peripheral platelet destruction. Anti-tuberculous therapy was started but the patient died due to subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Cardiac dysfunction in portal hypertension among patients with cirrhosis and non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In cirrhosis, diastolic dysfunction of heart is well documented. Contribution of portal hypertension towards cardiac changes in cirrhosis is difficult to assess. We examined the patients of non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis who have portal hypertension without liver insufficiency to understand the contribution of portal hypertension in causing cardiac changes. METHODS: Cardiac function was studied in four groups of patients: normal controls, patients with non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis (having portal hypertension without liver dysfunction) and cirrhotics with and without ascites. Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography. Additional measurements of plasma renin activity and aldosterone levels were performed. RESULTS: Diastolic function as assessed by the ratio between E wave and A wave (E/A ratio), was significantly lower in patients with non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis (median 1.3) compared to normal controls (median 1.52). However, even lower values were observed in cirrhotics without ascites (median 1.05) and with ascites (median 0.94). There was a significant correlation (r=-0.75) between plasma aldosterone levels and the E/A ratio in cirrhotics. CONCLUSIONS: Diastolic dysfunction is not only present in cirrhosis but also in non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis. It indicates that portal hypertension is an important factor in the genesis of cardiac dysfunction.

Portal pressure response to losartan compared with propranolol in patients with cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVES: Losartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, has portal hypotensive effects. This study evaluates the effect of losartan on portal pressure after 14 days and compares it with that of propranolol. METHODS: A total of 39 individuals with cirrhosis were randomized into two groups of 19 and 20 patients each and were treated with losartan and propranolol, respectively. Hepatic venous pressure gradient was measured at baseline and on day 14 of therapy. Responders to therapy had hepatic venous pressure gradient reduction of >/=20% of baseline value. RESULTS: With losartan, 15 of 19 (78.94%) patients were responders and with propranolol, nine of 20 (45%) patients were responders (p < 0.05). Although the hepatic venous pressure gradient reduction (i.e., percentage from baseline) with losartan (26.74 +/- 21.7%) was higher than with propranolol (14.52 +/- 32%), the difference was not significant. The reduction in hepatic venous pressure gradient with losartan was contributed mainly by a significant drop of wedge hepatic venous pressure from 32.42 +/- 6.61 mm of Hg to 28.31 +/- 5.09 mm of Hg (p < 0.05) compared to that with propranolol, which was from 34.55 +/- 5.41 mm of Hg to 32.75 +/- 8.13 mm of Hg (p > 0.05). Responders among alcohol-abusing patients were significantly higher with losartan (81.8%) compared to those on propranolol (27.2%; p < 0.05). In the losartan group, all seven nonascitic cirrhotic individuals, as compared with two of five in the propranolol group, responded to the drugs. During the study, no significant side effects were observed in either group (who were not receiving diuretics) or in follow-up with diuretics. CONCLUSIONS: Losartan is as effective as propranolol in reducing portal pressure in cirrhotic patients who are not receiving diuretics. Losartan is also superior to propranolol for achieving target level hepatic venous gradient for prevention of variceal bleeding in nonascitic and alcohol-abusing cirrhotic patients.