Determinants of hyperparathyroidism in children after kidney transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) can contribute to metabolic bone disease following kidney transplantation. We evaluated post-transplant trends in intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and determined predictors of HPT in pediatric kidney transplant (KTx) recipients. METHODS: In this single-center study, retrospective data were collected on 88 children from 2013 to 2019. Data collected included dialysis vintage, biochemical parameters, post-transplant trends in iPTH, 25(OH)Vitamin D levels and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR ml/min/1.73 m2 ). Pre-transplant treatment for HPT was quantified with a Treatment Burden score (TB, score range: 0-100). After log-transforming skewed variables (iPTH and eGFR), multivariable linear regression was performed to determine predictors of log {iPTH} at 6 and 36 months (mo) post-transplant. RESULTS: Median age was 12.8 (range: 1.9-20.5) years, and dialysis vintage was 11.2 (range: 0.0-112.9) months. The majority were of Hispanic and African Ancestry (77.3%). Median post-transplant iPTH was 69.5 (range: 1.8-306.8) pg/ml at 6 mo with a gradual downward trend to 59.0 (range: 28.0-445.0) pg/ml at 36 mo. Significant multivariable predictors of higher log {iPTH} post-transplant included longer dialysis vintage, higher TB, and lower log{eGFR} at 6 mo, and higher TB, lower log{eGFR}, and deceased donor transplant at 36 mo. CONCLUSIONS: Recognition of risk factors for HPT and monitoring iPTH post-transplant may facilitate timely interventions to mitigate cardiovascular and bone disease in pediatric KTx recipients. KEY MESSAGE: Describe serial trends in intact PTH after kidney transplantation. Pre- and post-transplant factors that contribute to persistence or re-occurrence of hyperparathyroidism after kidney transplantation in children include longer dialysis vintage, high pre-transplant treatment burden and decreased post-transplant GFR. Recognition of these factors, and monitoring intact PTH after kidney transplantation, could facilitate timely interventions to mitigate cardiovascular and bone disease in children.

GCV/VCVG prophylaxis against CMV DNAemia in pediatric renal transplant patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

CMV disease continues to stand as a significant threat to the longevity of renal transplants in children. More pediatric recipients are CMV-negative with CMV-positive donor serologies resulting in a HR mismatch. The length of prophylaxis with GCV or VGCV required to optimally prevent recurrence of CMVDNAemia remains unknown. This study is a meta-analysis comparing GCV/VGCV prophylaxis regimens provided for <6 months, from 6 to <12 months, and ≥12 months after transplant in order to prevent CMVDNAemia. The search conducted involved PubMed, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register from inception through December 2017. Search terms Kidney Transplantation, CMV, GCV, and VGCV provided 204 studies for abstract review. Studies excluded were those which did not itemize pediatric data separately, single case reports, and duplicate studies. Pooled analysis of five retrospective studies and one prospective study identified that there is no statistically significant difference in the incidence of CMV DNAemia when comparing <6 months of prophylaxis and >12 months of prophylaxis (23% and 15%, respectively, P = 0.23). Regardless of the length of prophylaxis, there was no statistical difference in the incidence of CMV DNAemia in the HR patients (6 to <12 months vs <6 months, P = 0.62; 6 to <12 months vs ≥12 months, P = 0.78; ≥12 months vs <6 months, P = 0.83). This study identifies no optimal length of prophylaxis for HR mismatch pediatric renal transplant patients as many develop CMV DNAemia.

Integrative genomics identifies LMO1 as a neuroblastoma oncogene.

Neuroblastoma is a childhood cancer of the sympathetic nervous system that accounts for approximately 10% of all paediatric oncology deaths. To identify genetic risk factors for neuroblastoma, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 2,251 patients and 6,097 control subjects of European ancestry from four case series. Here we report a significant association within LIM domain only 1 (LMO1) at 11p15.4 (rs110419, combined P = 5.2 × 10(-16), odds ratio of risk allele = 1.34 (95% confidence interval 1.25-1.44)). The signal was enriched in the subset of patients with the most aggressive form of the disease. LMO1 encodes a cysteine-rich transcriptional regulator, and its paralogues (LMO2, LMO3 and LMO4) have each been previously implicated in cancer. In parallel, we analysed genome-wide DNA copy number alterations in 701 primary tumours. We found that the LMO1 locus was aberrant in 12.4% through a duplication event, and that this event was associated with more advanced disease (P < 0.0001) and survival (P = 0.041). The germline single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) risk alleles and somatic copy number gains were associated with increased LMO1 expression in neuroblastoma cell lines and primary tumours, consistent with a gain-of-function role in tumorigenesis. Short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated depletion of LMO1 inhibited growth of neuroblastoma cells with high LMO1 expression, whereas forced expression of LMO1 in neuroblastoma cells with low LMO1 expression enhanced proliferation. These data show that common polymorphisms at the LMO1 locus are strongly associated with susceptibility to developing neuroblastoma, but also may influence the likelihood of further somatic alterations at this locus, leading to malignant progression.

Autism genome-wide copy number variation reveals ubiquitin and neuronal genes.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are childhood neurodevelopmental disorders with complex genetic origins. Previous studies focusing on candidate genes or genomic regions have identified several copy number variations (CNVs) that are associated with an increased risk of ASDs. Here we present the results from a whole-genome CNV study on a cohort of 859 ASD cases and 1,409 healthy children of European ancestry who were genotyped with approximately 550,000 single nucleotide polymorphism markers, in an attempt to comprehensively identify CNVs conferring susceptibility to ASDs. Positive findings were evaluated in an independent cohort of 1,336 ASD cases and 1,110 controls of European ancestry. Besides previously reported ASD candidate genes, such as NRXN1 (ref. 10) and CNTN4 (refs 11, 12), several new susceptibility genes encoding neuronal cell-adhesion molecules, including NLGN1 and ASTN2, were enriched with CNVs in ASD cases compared to controls (P = 9.5 x 10(-3)). Furthermore, CNVs within or surrounding genes involved in the ubiquitin pathways, including UBE3A, PARK2, RFWD2 and FBXO40, were affected by CNVs not observed in controls (P = 3.3 x 10(-3)). We also identified duplications 55 kilobases upstream of complementary DNA AK123120 (P = 3.6 x 10(-6)). Although these variants may be individually rare, they target genes involved in neuronal cell-adhesion or ubiquitin degradation, indicating that these two important gene networks expressed within the central nervous system may contribute to the genetic susceptibility of ASD.

Variants of DENND1B associated with asthma in children.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a complex disease that has genetic and environmental causes. The genetic factors associated with susceptibility to asthma remain largely unknown. METHODS: We carried out a genomewide association study involving children with asthma. The sample included 793 North American children of European ancestry with persistent asthma who required daily inhaled glucocorticoid therapy and 1988 matched controls (the discovery set). We also tested for genomewide association in an independent cohort of 917 persons of European ancestry who had asthma and 1546 matched controls (the replication set). Finally, we tested for an association between 20 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at chromosome 1q31 and asthma in 1667 North American children of African ancestry who had asthma and 2045 ancestrally matched controls. RESULTS: In our meta-analysis of all samples from persons of European ancestry, we observed an association, with genomewide significance, between asthma and SNPs at the previously reported locus on 17q21 and an additional eight SNPs at a novel locus on 1q31. The SNP most strongly associated with asthma was rs2786098 (P=8.55x10(-9)). We observed replication of the association of asthma with SNP rs2786098 in the independent series of persons of European ancestry (combined P=9.3x10(-11)). The alternative allele of each of the eight SNPs on chromosome 1q31 was strongly associated with asthma in the children of African ancestry (P=1.6x10(-13) for the comparison across all samples). The 1q31 locus contains the 1q31 locus contains DENND1B, a gene expressed by natural killer cells and dendritic cells. DENND1B protein is predicted to interact with the tumor necrosis factor α receptor [corrected]. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified a locus containing DENND1B on chromosome 1q31.3 that is associated with susceptibility to asthma.

Case report: Bordetella holmesii: A rare pathogen causing infective endocarditis associated glomerulonephritis.

Infective endocarditis (IE) can cause multiorgan dysfunction and chronic kidney disease, in addition to cardiac sequelae. The presentation may be vague and can manifest as acute glomerulonephritis. While the most common pathogens of infective endocarditis are Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species, we report a rare pathogen Bordetella holmesii causing infective endocarditis associated glomerulonephritis. A 20-year-old male patient with tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia and aortopulmonary collaterals underwent several cardiac surgeries including prosthetic pulmonary valve replacement in the past. He was admitted for 3 days at an outside hospital for fever, cough, and hemoptysis, and diagnosed with streptococcal pharyngitis, for which he received antibiotics. Five weeks later, he presented to our institution with lower extremity edema and gross hematuria. On examination, he was afebrile, normotensive, had a 7-kg weight gain with anasarca, and a systolic murmur, without rash. Investigations revealed elevated serum creatinine, nephrotic range proteinuria, hematuria, and hypocomplementemia, consistent with acute glomerulonephritis. Given his cardiac history, blood cultures were collected from three sites. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were initiated when he subsequently developed fever. Renal pathology on biopsy showed diffuse proliferative immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis. Transesophageal echocardiogram visualized a vegetation on the pulmonary valve. Bordetella holmesii was ultimately cultured from the prior and current hospitalization. A serum sample detecting microbial cell-free DNA sequencing confirmed Bordetella holmesii at very high levels. After completing 6 weeks of intravenous antibiotics with concurrent angiotensin receptor blockade, his kidney function recovered with improvement in hypocomplementemia and proteinuria. This case report highlights the early recognition and comprehensive evaluation of a rare organism causing IE-associated GN, which allowed for renal recovery and preserved cardiac function.

Case of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children presenting as fever and abdominal pain.

This case aims to remind all providers to scrutinise for atypical presentations of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) which may mimic a more routine diagnosis. In the absence of mucocutaneous symptoms, the diagnosis of MIS-C can be missed. Given the potential for rapid deterioration of patients with MIS-C, early treatment and inpatient interventions are necessary.

A Pediatric Case of Sirolimus-Associated Pneumonitis After Kidney Transplantation.

Sirolimus is an immunosuppressive medication often used in solid organ transplantation. It has been associated with severe side effects, including pulmonary toxicity. In adult patients, a single center study found that 14% of those treated with sirolimus developed pulmonary pneumonitis; however, the incidence in the pediatric population is not known. Most reports in adult patients indicate that elevated drug concentrations and a prolonged duration of use are associated with pulmonary toxicity. We report a case of a 17-year-old male kidney transplant recipient who developed rapid-onset respiratory failure, necessitating mechanical ventilation and acute renal replacement therapy for ultrafiltration secondary to sirolimus-induced pneumonitis. He had been treated for acute rejection with corticosteroids 17 days prior to the development of pneumonitis. His symptoms developed within 1 week of initiation of sirolimus and with a serum concentration of 1.1 ng/mL. Sirolimus was discontinued, and, following aggressive diuresis and ventilatory support, his respiratory status returned to baseline. Sirolimus-induced pneumonitis is an important diagnosis to be considered in any transplant recipient receiving sirolimus with new onset fever, cough, or dyspnea without an identifiable source, especially if there is a preceding history of treatment with high-dose corticosteroids.

A genome-wide association study identifies a locus for nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate on 8q24.

OBJECTIVE: To identify, in a non-hypothesis manner, novel genetic factors associated with nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P). STUDY DESIGN: We performed a genome-wide association study in a pediatric cohort of European decent consisting of 111 NSCL/P cases and 5951 control subjects. All subjects were consecutively recruited from the Greater Philadelphia area from 2006 to 2009. High throughput genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping was carried out with the Illumina Infinium II HumanHap550 BeadChip technology. RESULTS: We observed association at the genome-wide significance level with SNP rs987525 at a locus on 8q24, which harbors no characterized genes to date (P = 9.18 x 10(-8); odds ratio = 2.09, 95% confidence interval = 1.59 to 2.76). While searching for a replication cohort, the same genetic determinant was established through a genome-wide association study of NSCL/P in Germany, so this previous report acts as a de novo replication for our independent observation outlined here. CONCLUSIONS: These results strongly suggest that a locus on 8q24 is involved in the pathogenesis of NSCL/P.

Examination of type 2 diabetes loci implicates CDKAL1 as a birth weight gene.

OBJECTIVE: A number of studies have found that reduced birth weight is associated with type 2 diabetes later in life; however, the underlying mechanism for this correlation remains unresolved. Recently, association has been demonstrated between low birth weight and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the CDKAL1 and HHEX-IDE loci, regions that were previously implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. In order to investigate whether type 2 diabetes risk-conferring alleles associate with low birth weight in our Caucasian childhood cohort, we examined the effects of 20 such loci on this trait. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Using data from an ongoing genome-wide association study in our cohort of 5,465 Caucasian children with recorded birth weights, we investigated the association of the previously reported type 2 diabetes-associated variation at 20 loci including TCF7L2, HHEX-IDE, PPARG, KCNJ11, SLC30A8, IGF2BP2, CDKAL1, CDKN2A/2B, and JAZF1 with birth weight. RESULTS: Our data show that the minor allele of rs7756992 (P = 8 x 10(-5)) at the CDKAL1 locus is strongly associated with lower birth weight, whereas a perfect surrogate for variation previously implicated for the trait at the same locus only yielded nominally significant association (P = 0.01; r(2) rs7756992 = 0.677). However, association was not detected with any of the other type 2 diabetes loci studied. CONCLUSIONS: We observe association between lower birth weight and type 2 diabetes risk-conferring alleles at the CDKAL1 locus. Our data show that the same genetic locus that has been identified as a marker for type 2 diabetes in previous studies also influences birth weight.