A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study on Management Protocols and Clinical Outcomes After ABO-incompatible Kidney Transplantation in India.

BACKGROUND: There is no robust evidence-based data for ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation (ABOiKT) from emerging countries. METHODS: Data from 1759 living donor ABOiKT and 33 157 ABO-compatible kidney transplantations (ABOcKT) performed in India between March 5, 2011, and July 2, 2022, were included in this retrospective, multicenter (n = 25) study. The primary outcomes included management protocols, mortality, graft loss, and biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR). RESULTS: Protocol included rituximab 100 (232 [13.18%]), 200 (877 [49.85%]), and 500 mg (569 [32.34%]); immunoadsorption (IA) (145 [8.24%]), IVIG (663 [37.69%]), and no induction 200 (11.37%). Mortality, graft loss, and BPAR were reported in 167 (9.49%), 136 (7.73%), and 228 (12.96%) patients, respectively, over a median follow-up of 36.3 mo. In cox proportional hazard model, mortality was higher with IA (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.53 [1.62-3.97]; P < 0.001), BPAR (HR: 1.83 [1.25-2.69]; P = 0.0020), and graft loss (HR: 1.66 [1.05-2.64]; P = 0.0310); improved graft survival was associated with IVIG (HR: 0.44 [0.26-0.72]; P = 0.0010); higher BPAR was reported with conventional tube method (HR: 3.22 [1.9-5.46]; P < 0.0001) and IA use (HR: 2 [1.37-2.92]; P < 0.0001), whereas lower BPAR was reported in the prepandemic era (HR: 0.61 [0.43-0.88]; P = 0.008). Primary outcomes were not associated with rituximab dosing or high preconditioning/presurgery anti-A/anti-B titers. Incidence of overall infection 306 (17.39%), cytomegalovirus 66 (3.75%), and BK virus polyoma virus 20 (1.13%) was low. In unmatched univariate analysis, the outcomes between ABOiKT and ABOcKT were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Our largest multicenter study on ABOiKT provides insights into various protocols and management strategies with results comparable to those of ABOcKT.

Parvovirus in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Single-Center Experience.

OBJECTIVES: Parvovirus testing is not done in routine clinical practice; thus, it is possible that reported parvovirus cases are just the tip of the iceberg of total prevalence. We present a single-center retrospective analysis of 22 events of parvovirus B19 anemia in 20 renal transplant recipients, among which 2 patients had recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this descriptive analytical study, parvovirus B19 disease was defined as parvovirus infection (detection by real-time polymerase chain reaction) in the presence of anemia with clinical symptoms or bone marrow biopsy findings consistent with the diagnosis. Study duration was 18 months, from June 2021 through December 2022, and patients were enrolled from a single center. RESULTS: All patients detected with the virus had received induction with thymocyte globulin and were on standard triple drug immunosuppression. Mean age was 32 ± 12 years with median time to diagnosis of 2 months after transplant. Anemia was observed in all patients with mean hemoglobin level at presentation of 6.02 ± 1.28 g/dL. Creatinine at presentation was 1.49 mg/dL (interquartile range, 0.92-2.69 mg/dL). The most common presentation was asymptomatic patient with evaluation for anemia. During therapy, the highest median creatinine level was 2.0 mg/dL (interquartile range, 1.38-3.2 mg/dL), which was significantly higher than that at presentation (P < .018). After therapy, median creatinine level was 1.3 mg/dL, which was not significantly higher than the baseline level, demonstrating a mostly transient graft dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Parvovirus B19 is a relatively underreported disease in renal transplant recipients, with patients presenting with anemia and the disease causing transient graft dysfunction. Parvovirus B19 infection responds well to a decrease in immunosuppression and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy.

Clinical utility of genetic testing in Indian children with kidney diseases.

BACKGROUND: Kidney diseases with genetic etiology in children present with an overlapping spectrum of manifestations. We aimed to analyze the clinical utility of genetic testing in the diagnosis and management of suspected genetic kidney diseases in children. METHODS: In this retrospective study, children ≤ 18 years in whom a genetic test was ordered were included. Clinical indications for genetic testing were categorized as Glomerular diseases, nephrolithiasis and/or nephrocalcinoses, tubulopathies, cystic kidney diseases, congenital abnormality of kidney and urinary tract, chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology and others. Clinical exome sequencing was the test of choice. Other genetic tests ordered were sanger sequencing, gene panel, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and karyotyping. The pathogenicity of the genetic variant was interpreted as per the American College of Medical Genetics classification. RESULTS: A total of 86 samples were sent for genetic testing from 76 index children, 8 parents and 2 fetuses. A total of 74 variants were reported in 47 genes. Out of 74 variants, 42 were missense, 9 nonsense, 12 frameshifts, 1 indel, 5 affected the splicing regions and 5 were copy number variants. Thirty-two were homozygous, 36 heterozygous and 6 were hemizygous variants. Twenty-four children (31.6%) had pathogenic and 11 (14.5%) had likely pathogenic variants. Twenty-four children (31.6%) had variants of uncertain significance. No variants were reported in 17 children (22.3%). A genetic diagnosis was made in 35 children with an overall yield of 46%. The diagnostic yield was 29.4% for glomerular diseases, 53.8% for tubular disorders, 81% for nephrolithiasis and/or nephrocalcinoses, 60% for cystic kidney diseases and 50% for chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology. Genetic testing made a new diagnosis or changed the diagnosis in 15 children (19.7%). CONCLUSION: Nearly half (46%) of the children tested for a genetic disease had a genetic diagnosis. Genetic testing confirmed the clinical diagnoses, changed the clinical diagnoses or made a new diagnosis which helped in personalized management.

Is it Safe to Be Transplanted From Living Donors Who Recovered From COVID-19? Experience of 31 Kidney Transplants in a Multicenter Cohort Study From India.

BACKGROUND: There is lack of data on feasibility and safety of kidney transplants from living donors who recovered from COVID-19. METHODS: Here, we present a retrospective cohort study of 31 kidney transplant recipients (KTR) from living donors who recovered from polymerase chain reaction confirmed COVID-19 across 19 transplant centers in India from July 3, 2020, to December 5, 2020. We detailed demographics, clinical manifestations, immunosuppression regimen, treatment, and outcomes. Donors with a previous diagnosis of COVID-19 were accepted after documenting 2 negative polymerase chain reaction tests with complete symptom resolution for at least 28 days and significant social distancing for 14 days before surgery. RESULTS: COVID-19 clinical severity in donors ranged from completely asymptomatic (71%, n = 22) to mild infection (29%, n = 9). None progressed to moderate or severe stages of the disease in the entire clinical course of home treatment. Patient and graft survival was 100%, respectively, with acute cellular rejection being reported in 6.4% (n = 2) recipient. All recipients and donors were asymptomatic with normal creatinine at median follow-up of 44 days after surgery without any complications relating to surgery and COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support safety of proceeding with living donation for asymptomatic individuals with comprehensive donor, recipients screening before surgery, using a combination of clinical, radiologic, and laboratory criteria. It could provide new insights into the management of KTR from living donors who have recovered from COVID-19 in India. To the best of our knowledge, this remains the largest cohort of KTR from living donors who recovered from COVID-19.

Two Decades of Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation at Ahmedabad, India.

OBJECTIVES: Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Maharashtra, Kerala, Chandigarh, and Karnataka are states in India with active programs for deceased donor kidney transplant. We report our experience of 2 decades of deceased donor kidney transplant at the Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Center, Dr. H. L. Trivedi Institute of Transplantation Sciences, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-center retrospective study comprised data from 831 deceased donor kidney transplant recipients between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2018. Mean recipient age was 38 ± 14 years; 564 were male, and 267 were female. Mean donor age was 45.3 ± 17.13 years; 565 were men, and 266 were women. RESULTS: Between January 1, 1997 and March 15, 2020, 5838 kidney transplants were completed, including 4895 living donor kidney transplants, 943 deceased donor kidney transplants, and 440 kidney paired donation transplants. Over the mean follow-up time of 8 ± 5.4 years, patient survival rate was 70% (n = 581) and death-censored graft survival rate was 84% (n = 698). Delayed graft function was shown in 210 patients (25%) and biopsy-proven acute rejection rate in 180 patients (21%). Our experience of favorable outcomes with deceased donor kidney transplants has expanded the donor pool in many ways, including transplant from expanded criteria donors to younger recipients; transplant from older donors to older recipients; donation after cardiac death; successful intercity organ procurement; dual-kidney transplant; en bloc transplant from a pediatric deceased donor; and transplant from brain death deceased donors who died from neurotoxic snakebite, recurrent primary brain tumor, bacterial meningitis, or head injury, or with disseminated intravascular coagulation and deranged renal functions. The pathway to increase organ donation was investigated. CONCLUSIONS: Deceased donor kidney transplant can achieve acceptable graft function with patient/graft survival, which may encourage the use of this approach to increase the number of available organs.

Clinical and laboratory profile of renal amyloidosis: A single-center experience.

The kidney is the most common organ involved in systemic amyloidosis. We aimed to study etiology and clinicopathological profile of renal amyloidosis. This was a retrospective study of 40 consecutive adult patients with biopsy-proven renal amyloidosis evaluated over a period of two years. Emphasis was given to describing the clinical presentation, renal function, proteinuria, type of amyloidosis, and its etiology. Mean age of the study cohort was 44 ± 15 years (with a male-to-female ratio of 3:1). Amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis was the most common type of amyloidosis observed in 72.5% of cases. Amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis accounted for 17.5% of cases, and the rest remained undetermined. AA amyloidosis had widespread age distribution while AL amyloidosis was confined to those >40 years. Proteinuria was the most common renal manifestation observed in all patients. Nephrotic syndrome was seen in 70% of patients. Mean 24 h proteinuria was 6.4 g. Renal failure was the second most common manifestation seen in 70% of patients, of whom 21.4% required hemodialysis. Tuberculosis (TB) accounted for 90% cases of AA amyloidosis. The most prevalent form was pulmonary TB while the rest accounted for by rheumatoid arthritis and bronchiectasis. Among patients with TB induced amyloidosis, 61.5% had received adequate treatment for TB in the past. All patients with AL amyloidosis had nephrotic range proteinuria, five had renal failure out of which two required dialysis. Cardiac involvement was seen in two patients. AA amyloidosis was the most common type of renal amyloidosis in the present study and pulmonary TB was the most common etiology.

Seventy-seven kidney paired donation transplantations at a single transplant centre in India led to an increase in living donor kidney transplantations in 2015.

BACKGROUND: To ascertain the validity of kidney paired donations (KPDs) as an alternative strategy for increasing living donor kidney transplantations (LDKTs) in an LDKT-dominated transplant programme since directed kidney transplantation, ABO-incompatible or crossmatch-positive pairs are not feasible due to costs and infectious complications. METHODS: This was a prospective single-centre study of 77 KPD transplantations (25 two-way, 7 three-way and 1 six-way exchange) from 1 January 2015 to 1 January 2016 of 158 registered donor recipient pairs. During this period, a total of 380 kidney transplantations [71 deceased donor kidney transplantations (DDKTs), 309 LDKTs] were performed. The reasons for opting for KPD were ABO incompatibility (n = 45), sensitization (n = 26) and better matching (n = 6). RESULTS: KPD matching was facilitated in 62% (n = 98) of transplants. In all, 48.7% (n = 77) of the transplants were completed in 2015, whereas 13.3% (n = 21) of the matched patients were to undergo transplant surgery in early 2016 after getting legal permission. The waiting time for KPD was shorter compared with DDKT. The death-censored graft survival and patient survival were 98.7% (n = 76) and 93.5% (n = 72), respectively. In all, 14.2% (n = 11) of patients had acute rejection. Match rates among sensitized (n = 60) and O group patients (n = 62) were 58.3% (n = 35) and 41.9% (n = 26), respectively. Of these, 43.3% (n = 26) and 29% (n = 18) of transplants were completed and 15% (n = 9) and 12.9% (n = 8), respectively, are waiting for legal permission. CONCLUSIONS: LDKT increased by 25% in 1 year in our single-centre KPD programme. Our key to success was the formation of a KPD registry, awareness and active counselling programs and developing a dedicated team.

Repercussions of eosinophils in a renal allograft - Predictor of early graft loss!

We present 5-year experience of renal transplantation (RT) with tissue eosinophilia (TE) in renal allograft biopsy (RAB) and its repercussions on the outcome. In total, 1217 recipients underwent RT from 2011 to 2015, and they were evaluated for the presence of ≥4% TE. Group 1 consisted of RT with RAB showing TE, Group 2 consisted of RT with RAB with rejections without TE, and Group 3 consisted of RT without rejections. Group 1 had 27 recipients, Group 2 had 395, and Group 3 had 795 recipients. The outcome in terms of graft function, patient and graft survival were evaluated and compared between three groups. All recipients received standard triple immunosuppression. One-year patient and death-censored graft survival were 80.7% and 82.7% in Group 1, 87.2% and 95.1% in Group 2, and 92.6% and 99.6%, respectively in Group 3 and corresponding mean serum creatinine (SCr, mg/dL) was 1.60 ± 0.45 in Group 1, 1.63 ± 0.58 in Group 2, and 1.19 ± 0.39 Group three, respectively. Five-year patient and death-censored graft survival were 72.9 % and 71.1% for Group 2 and 87% and 98.2% for Group 3 with SCr of 1.63 ± 0.38 and 1.25 ± 0.4, respectively. Group 1 recipients did not appear at five years. At four years posttransplant, patient and death-censored graft survival were 71.7% and 59.5% in Group 1 with SCr of 1.55 ± 0.65 mg/dL. In conclusion, the presence of eosino-phils in a renal allograft is an impending sign of graft damage and eventual graft loss.

De Novo Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis in Renal Allograft-Histological Presentation and Clinical Correlation: Single Centre Experience.

INTRODUCTION: Recurrent or de novo glomerulonephritis are one of the well-known causes for renal allograft dysfunction in early and late period after renal transplantation. Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a devastating lesion of the renal allograft. De novo FSGS is uncommon compared to recurrent FSGS. AIM: To find out the incidence of de novo FSGS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of renal allograft biopsies was performed from 2007 to 2015, by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry including patient-donor demographics. Graft function status in terms of serum creatinine (SCr) and proteinuria were evaluated. RESULTS: Out of 2,599 renal allograft biopsies performed, 1.6% biopsies were reported as de novo FSGS. Majority were live related females donors with mean age of 43.8 years. Mean time of biopsy was 1.1 years post-transplant with proteinuria of 2.95 grams/24 hours and SCr of 2.24 mg/dL. Histopathological variants were collapsing 47.6%, Not Otherwise Specified/ classical 35.7%, cellular 9.5% and perihilar 7.1% biopsies. Associated Antibody Mediated Rejection (AMR) with T-Cell Rejection (TCR) was observed in 35.7% biopsies, acute on chronic CNI toxicity (calcineurin inhibitor) in five biopsies. Majority of the patients were on CNI based maintenance immunosuppression regimen. Total 28.6% patients and 23.8% grafts were lost over a mean follow up of 2.40 years. The mean SCr of remaining patients was 1.98 mg/dL. CONCLUSION: De novo FSGS can occur after the first year of renal transplant with related Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)matched donors leading to poor allograft survival. Close monitoring of urinary proteinuria and evaluation of allograft biopsy help in appropriate therapeutic modification to improve long term outcome of graft function.

Role of CT scan in diagnosis of renal lymphangiectasia: our single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Renal lymphangiectasia is rarely reported benign renal disorder of lymphatic malformation. Though found incidentally; it presents with nonspecific symptoms and shows characteristic findings in radiological imaging studies. AIM: Here, we report eight patients with symptoms, laboratory and imaging findings compatible with renal lymphangiectasia. This report describes clinical and laboratory characteristics, treatment, Imaging findings and outcome of a series of patients with renal lymphangiectasia and reviews the literature. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Eight patients (mean age 45 years, male:female ratio 3:1) from 1st January 2011 to 30th June 2016; showing renal lymphangiectasia as incidental finding on CT IVP were included in the series. Imaging and laboratory findings were reviewed. Two out of eight patients (25%) underwent aspiration of collection and laboratory findings confirmed the diagnosis of renal lymphangiectasia. Four out of eight patients (50%) did not undergo aspiration of fluid and were offered conservative treatment. Two out of eight patients (25%) were donors for renal transplantation who were managed conservatively. RESULTS: Renal lymphangiectasia was diagnosed on CT IVP. In each case, where aspiration of collection fluid was offered, the laboratory diagnosis of renal lymphangiectasia was confirmed and patients were managed conservatively. However, large collection in one patient was relieved by percutaneous aspiration. CONCLUSIONS: Renal lymphangiectasia can be diagnosed with CT scan and confirmed by laboratory tests. As it may be confused with other cystic lesions of kidney; proper diagnosis and exclusion of other differentials can be effectively offered by CT scan IVP, which can avoid unnecessary invasive treatment options.

An unusual presentation of LCAT deficiency as nephrotic syndrome with normal serum HDL-C level.

Clinical and biochemical manifestations of lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency include an abnormal lipid profile (characterized by hypercholesterolemia with markedly decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] and hypertriglyceridemia), corneal opacities, hematologic abnormalities (normochromic anemia of varying intensity), splenomegaly, variable early coronary artery disease and nephropathy (initially proteinuria followed by progressive deterioration of renal function). We presented a patient with nephrotic syndrome, which renal biopsy revealed classic features of LCAT deficiency. To our knowledge, the present case is the first reported case of LCAT deficiency presenting with symptoms related to nephrotic syndrome in a patient with no obvious family history without any corneal deposits and normal HDL-C levels.

Six end-stage renal disease patients benefited from first non-simultaneous single center 6-way kidney exchange transplantation in India.

AIM: To avoid desensitization protocols and ABO incompatible kidney transplantation (KT) due to high costs and increased risk of infections from intense immunosuppression. METHODS: We present institutional ethical review board - approved study of single center 6-way kidney exchange transplantation. The participants comprised ABO incompatibility (n = 1); positive cross-match and/or presence of donor specific antibody (n = 5). The average time required from registration in kidney paired donation (KPD) registry to find suitable donors was 45 d and time required to perform transplants after legal permission was 2 mo. RESULTS: Graft and patient survival were 100%, and 100%, respectively. One patient had biopsy-proven acute borderline T cell rejection (Banff update 2013, type 3). Mean serum creatinine was 0.8 mg/dL at 9 mo follow-up. The waiting time in KPD was short as compared to deceased donor KT. CONCLUSION: We report first non-simultaneous, single center, 6-way kidney exchange transplantation from India. Our experience will encourage other centers in India to undertake this practice.

Bilateral Renal Lymphangiectasia.

Renal Lymphangiectasia (RLM) is very rare benign lymphatic malformation. It can be misdiagnosed for other cystic renal masses, most commonly polycystic kidneys. Though incidentally found in most cases, it may be the cause for hypertension and renal failure in undiagnosed patients. Here, we report a case of an adult asymptomatic male with bilateral RLM which was detected as an incidental finding on ultrasound. Confirmation by CT-scan and laboratory diagnosis of aspirated fluid was done, and patient was managed conservatively.

Evaluation of Renal Allograft Biopsies for Graft Dysfunction and Relevance of C4d Staining in Antibody Mediated Rejection.

INTRODUCTION: Biopsy remains gold standard for diagnosis of Graft Dysfunction (GD). It guides clinical management, provides valuable insights into pathogenesis of early and late allograft injury and is indispensable for distinguishing rejection from non- rejection causes of GD. AIM: The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the diverse histomorphological lesions in renal allograft biopsy (RAB). Further, we determined the frequency of peritubular capillary (PTC) C4d positivity and its correlation with microvascular inflammation in Antibody Mediated Rejection (AMR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study on RAB over a period of 2 months. Histopathological evaluation was undertaken as per revised Banff'13 schema. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect PTC C4d deposition. RESULTS: Sixty five diagnostic biopsies were evaluated. Mean patient age was 34 years and males were predominant. The time interval between graft biopsy and transplantation ranged from 5 days to 8 years, with 52.3% biopsies belonging to period of ≤ 6 months post-transplant. Immune injuries were observed in 40 biopsies out of which AMR was observed in 35 biopsies. Calcineurin inhibitor toxicity (CNI Toxicity) was the second commonest cause observed in 12 biopsies and other lesions including de novo glomerulopathies were observed in the remaining biopsies. The sensitivity of C4d in detecting acute AMR was 55% and chronic AMR was 23.5. CONCLUSION: AMR and CNI Toxicity account for majority of graft dysfunction. C4d is not as sensitive a marker of AMR, as was initially thought. Higher proportion of moderate microvascular inflammation is found in diffuse C4d positive cases compared to focal C4d positive cases.

Collapsing Glomerulopathy: A Single Centre Clinicopathologic Study of Seven Years.

INTRODUCTION: Collapsing Glomerulopathy (CG) is recognized as distinct pattern of proliferative parenchymal injury with poor response to empirical therapy. AIM: A single center retrospective study was carried out to find out clinicopathological features of idiopathic CG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 3335 native renal biopsies were analyzed retrospectively which were performed from 2008 to 2014 with emphasis on clinicopathological correlation and histopathological presentation. RESULTS: Idiopathic CG constituted 0.75% incidence (25 out of 3335 biopsies) of all biopsies, adults constituting major study part with 88%. The duration of the symptoms at the time of biopsy was 34.12±26.09 days and 35±22.91 days respectively in adults and children. Hypertension was noted in 9(40.9%) and oliguria in 8(36.4%) in adults. Urinalysis revealed microscopic haematuria 12(54.5%) in adults. Nephrotic range proteinuria was reported in 10 (45.5%) adult patients. Glomerular collapse with hyperplasia/ hypertrophy of podocytes was seen in 4.54±3.11 glomeruli. Tubular microcystic dilation was seen in 16(64%) patients. Tubular atrophy involving mild (t1) in 15(60%), moderate (t2) in 4(16%) and severe (t3) in 6(24%) patients. Interstitial fibrosis was mild (i1) in 17(68%), moderate (i2) in 2(8%) and severe (i3) in 6(24%) patients. CONCLUSION: Idiopathic CG is a morphological pattern of grave podocyte injury with poor prognosis. However, there are chances of remission/ recovery if the tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis are of grades ≤ t1 i1.

Clinical profile of kidney involvement preceding diagnosis of multiple myeloma; a single center experience.

Introduction: The kidneys are involved in significant number of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who can present with acute or chronic renal failure, nephritic syndrome, non-nephrotic proteinuria or tubular function defects. Objectives: To assess the clinical profile of kidney involvement preceding diagnosis of multiple myeloma Patients and Methods: Renal involvement in 29 cases with MM admitted over an 18-month period to our tertiary care center was retrospectively examined. Diagnosis of MM was confirmed by two or more of the following four features: lytic bone lesions, serum or urine monoclonal peak, Bence-Jones proteinuria, and greater than 20% plasma cells in bone marrow. Results: Renal disease was present in all patients before MM was diagnosed. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was the most common precipitating factor for acute kidney injury (AKI). All 29 patients received combination chemotherapy of bortezomib, dexamethasone and thalidomide. More than half of the total number of patients did not complete chemotherapy because of death or lost to follow-up. Twenty-two of 29 patients required hemodialysis support. AKI was the most common renal presentation of MM. Four patients with AKI had complete renal recovery. Eleven patients who required hemodialysis support initially later on recovered to non-dialyzable range of renal failure. Seven patients became hemodialysis dependent. Twelve patients died from infection, uremia or hyperkalemia. Nine patients lost to follow up. Remission of MM was seen in 8 patients who completed chemotherapy. Conclusion: In our study AKI is the most common renal presentation preceding the diagnosis of MM. Reversal of renal function was achieved with chemotherapy and high flux hemodialysis in few cases.

Major sites of cancer occurrence among men and women in gandhinagar district, India.

BACKGROUND: This study examines major cancer sites among the population of Gandhinagar district, India during the year 2009-2011. OBJECTIVE: To study leading cancer incidents and mortality and their age distribution in both sexes in Gandhinagar district. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary data were collected from various sources and entered in computer and analyzed. Quality checks were done, and duplicate cases were eliminated. For mortality data, death registration units were contacted. RESULTS: Total 2360 incident cases (1374 males and 986 females) and 736 mortality cases (464 males and 272 females) were recorded during the year 2009-2011 in Gandhinagar district. Among males, the leadings sites were mouth, tongue, lung, esophagus, hypopharynx, and larynx, whereas in females they were breast, cervix, ovary, mouth, tongue and myeloid leukemia. Majority of cases were found in the age group of 35-64 years and the proportion in male and female in this age group was 62.51% and 71.05%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The study helps to understand the possible cancer patterns in Gandhinagar district. Foremost causes of cancer in leading sites in males were tobacco related, and the proportion of cancers associated with tobacco was 53% in our study. It highlights the possibility of easy and early detection of cancers, especially by oral cancer screening in the population. Further, the findings highlight the need of cancer cervix and breast screening among the women at regular intervals through camp approach in the community, as these are the most common sites (40% of female cancers).

Co-infusion of donor adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells helps safe minimization of immunosuppression in renal transplantation - single center experience.

BACKGROUND: Stem cell therapy (SCT) is used for immunosuppression minimization in renal transplantation (RT). We carried out a prospective study to evaluate the benefits of co-infusion of donor adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSC) + hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in living donor RT (LDRT) under non-myeloablative conditioning. METHODS: In a demographically balanced three-armed LDRT trial with 95 patients in each arm, group-1 received portal co-infusion of AD-MSC + HSC, group-2 received HSC and group-3 received no SCT. Lymphoid irradiation and anti-thyroglobulin were used for conditioning. RESULTS: SCT was safe. At 1 and 5 years post-transplant, patient survival was 100% and 94.7% in group-1, 100% and 95.7% in group-2, and 94.7% and 84% in group-3, death-censored graft survival was 100% and 94.6% in group-1, 100% and 91.3% in group-2, and 98.9% and 94.4% in group-3 with mean serum creatinine (mg/dL) of 1.38 and 1.39 in group-1, 1.48 and 1.51 in group-2, and 1.29 and 1.42 and in group-3. Rejection episodes and immunosuppression requirement were lesser in SCT groups versus controls with best results noted in group-1. CONCLUSION: Coinfusion of donor AD-MSC +HSC in portal circulation pre-transplant under non-myeloablative conditioning is safe and effective for immunosuppression minimization in LDRT.

Outcome of renal transplantation from older living donors compared to younger living donor in developing country.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the outcomes of renal grafts from living related donors older than 60 years are acceptable, in terms of renal function and patient/graft survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and forty-seven patients who received kidneys from donor age ≥60 years constituted the study group (group 1). The control group (group 2) consisted of 1310 patients who received renal transplants from donor age <60 years. Outcome measures included graft, patient survival, acute rejection rate and serum creatinine (SCr) in patients/donors. Graft and patient survivals were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The mean age of donors was 62.7 ± 3.39 years in group 1 and 43.45 ± 9.65 years in group 2. Patient survival at 1, 3 and 5 years was 95.7%, 89.4% and 82.6% in group 1 and 93.8%, 89.1% and 83.1% in group 2 (p = 0.785), respectively. Death-censored graft survival at 1, 3 and 5 years was 98.5%, 94.8% and 94.8% in group 1 and 96.1%, 92.9% and 89% in group 2 (p = 0.166), respectively. Biopsy-proven acute rejections were 21% and 16.8% (p = 0.206) and chronic rejections 5% and 3.4% in group 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.542). Recipient SCr (mg/dL) was 1.8 ± 0.31 in group 1 and 1.58 ± 0.37 in group 2. The donor SCr levels at the last follow-up were 1 mg/dL and 0.9 mg/dL in group 1 and 2, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Donor age did not affect patient and graft survival in the 5-year follow-up in our study. Age alone seems not to be an exclusion criterion to living kidney donation.

Blastomyces dermatitidis in a renal transplant recipient.

Fungal pathogens can be the source of serious and sometimes fatal infections following organ transplantation. To the best of our knowledge, we present the first case of cutaneous blastomycosis in a renal allograft recipient in India, a country outside the known endemic regions. This case, with the very rare and unexpected diagnosis of blastomycosis, not only reflects the tremendous diversity of infections in transplant recipients but also emphasizes the utility of serological methods even in the immunosuppressed host.