HLA-identical living related kidney transplantation: Outcomes of a national multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: The kidney prognosis of HLA-identical seems theoretically very interesting with the lowest risk of acute rejection after that of identical twins. Objectives were to determine the prevalence of acute rejection and various complications in a cohort of HLA-identical living-related kidney transplant. METHODS: A retrospective, multicenter study was conducted in seven university centers in Morocco, which included all recipients of an HLA-identical living-related kidney transplant performed between 1990 and 2019. RESULTS: Data on 68 HLA-identical living-related kidney transplants were collected. The donors were siblings in 89.7%, the parents in 7.3%, and identical twins in 3% of cases. 53.6% of all recipients were under 35 years old, and 59.4% of them were male. 39.7% of all donors were under 35 years old, and 47% of them were male. 48.5% of HLA-identical living-related kidney transplants were performed before the year 2000. 18 kidney transplant biopsies were performed on 16 kidney transplant recipients. Seven episodes of acute rejection occurred in six patients, 8.8% of the whole cohort (n = 68). Two cases of acute rejection among the seven were related to poor adherence, cessation of immunosuppressive therapy, and loss of medical follow-up by these patients. These two patients were 20 years old at the time of kidney transplantation. The global kidney transplant survival was 66.7% versus 91.9% (P = 0.04) in the two patient groups having developed acute rejection and not having developed acute rejection, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Acute rejection is a real threat to HLA-identical kidney transplant recipients. Therefore, it seems very important to codify the immunosuppressive regimen and to adopt a minimal and effective treatment.

Design and implementation of the European-Mediterranean Postgraduate Programme on Organ Donation and Transplantation (EMPODaT) for Middle East/North Africa countries.

This prospective study reports the design and results obtained after the EMPODaT project implementation. This project was funded by the Tempus programme of the European Commission with the objective to implement a common postgraduate programme on organ donation and transplantation (ODT) in six selected universities from Middle East/North Africa (MENA) countries (Egypt, Lebanon and Morocco). The consortium, coordinated by the University of Barcelona, included universities from Spain, Germany, Sweden and France. The first phase of the project was to perform an analysis of the current situation in the beneficiary countries, including existing training programmes on ODT, Internet connection, digital facilities and competences, training needs, and ODT activity and accreditation requirements. A total of 90 healthcare postgraduate students participated in the 1-year training programme (30 ECTS academic credits). The methodology was based on e-learning modules and face-to-face courses in English and French. Training activities were evaluated through pre- and post-tests, self-assessment activities and evaluation charts. Quality was assessed through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The project results on a reproducible and innovative international postgraduate programme, improvement of knowledge, satisfaction of the participants and confirms the need on professionalizing the activity as the cornerstone to ensure organ transplantation self-sufficiency in MENA countries.

HLA Class II with Lupus Nephritis in Moroccan Patients.

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a disease with a poor prognosis. The association between LN and the Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes has never been studied on a Moroccan population. The aim of this work was to evaluate the distribution of the HLA class II alleles in patients with LN and to determine susceptible and protective HLA alleles/haplotypes in LN. The association between these alleles, disease severity of LN, and age at onset were also investigated. Seventy-five patients with LN were compared with 169 healthy unrelated controls. HLA class II alleles typing was performed by polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP). A significant increase of HLA-DRB1*15 allele frequency (p = 0.001) and a significant decrease of the HLA-DRB1*04 allele (p = 0.04) were observed in LN patients. The frequency of HLA-DRB1*15-DQB1*06 haplotype (p = 0.003) was increased in the patients while that of HLA-DRB1*04-DQB1*03 (p = 0.027) was decreased. A significant increase of HLA-DRB1*15 allele frequency (p = 0.0001) and HLA-DRB1*15-DQB1*06 haplotype (p = 0.002) was observed in patients with class IV LN. In the Moroccan population we demonstrated the positive association of HLA class II alleles and haplotypes with LN and with a severe form of nephritis. HLA-DRB1*15 allele does not determine the age of disease onset in LN.

Chronic kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity in the adult population of Morocco: how to avoid "over"- and "under"-diagnosis of CKD.

The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in an adult Arabic-Berber population was investigated according to 2012 KDIGO guidelines. A stratified, randomized, representative sample of 10,524 participants was obtained. Weight, height, blood pressure, proteinuria (dipstick), plasma creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and fasting glycemia were measured. Abnormal results were controlled within 2 weeks; eGFR was retested at 3, 6, and 12 months. The population adjusted prevalences were 16.7% hypertension, 23.2% obesity, 13.8% glycemia, 1.6% for eGFR under 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) and confirmed proteinuria 1.9% and hematuria 3.4%. Adjusted prevalence of CKD was 5.1%; distribution over KDIGO stages: CKD1: 17.8%; CKD2: 17.2%; CKD3: 52.5% (3A: 40.2%; 3B: 12.3%); CKD4: 4.4%; CKD5: 7.2%. An eGFR distribution within the sex and age categories was constructed using the third percentile as threshold for decreased eGFR. A single threshold (under 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)) eGFR classifying CKD3-5 leads to "overdiagnosis" of CKD3A in the elderly, overt "underdiagnosis" in younger individuals with eGFR over 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2), below the third percentile, and no proteinuria. By using the KDIGO guidelines in a correct way, "kidney damage" (confirmed proteinuria, hematuria) and the demonstration of chronicity of decreased eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2), combined with the third percentile as a cutoff for the normality of eGFR for age and sex, overcome false positives and negatives, substantially decrease CKD3A prevalence, and greatly increase the accuracy of identifying CKD.

Impact of therapeutic education on the choice of renal replacement therapy. Moroccan monocentric experience / Impact de l'éducation thérapeutique sur le choix du traitement de suppléance. Expérience monocentrique marocaine

Introduction: Therapeutic patient education (TPE) is gaining importance in the management of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The objective of this study is to assess the interest of TPE in the acquisition of knowledge concerning CKD and renal replacement therapy, as well as the orientation of the patients towards a personalized choice of treatment. Materials and methods: Patients with a minimum stage 4 CKD were prospectively included between November 2016 and February 2020. We proposed TPE sessions on CKD and its treatment to all patients. We explained the theoretical part through a slideshow about the definition of end-stage renal disease, its symptoms and the various methods of renal replacement therapy. A "basket" of essential material to illustrate a session of hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) was used to achieve the practical part of the study. Data was collected using two questionnaires: the first one, at the start of the session, included the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients and evaluated their level of basic knowledge, and the second one, at the end of the session, assessed the evolution of knowledge after TPE, leading to a therapeutic choice. Results: The mean age of the 211 included patients was 55.59 years old (SD = 15.47). Male to female ratio was 0.73. The level of education was low in 69% of the cases of whom 23.7% were employees. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was between 15 and 30 mL/min in 56.8% of the cases. Initial nephropathy was known in 60% of patients while the stage of CKD was unknown in 66.4%. Before TPE, patients with a good level of overall knowledge were around 29%, rising to 73% after TPE. A significant correlation was found between the level of education of the patients and their knowledge score before and after TPE. The choice of renal replacement therapy was taken for PD, TR and HD respectively in 36%, 19% and 11.8% of the cases, while 33.2% asked for time to think. Elderly and/or low educated patients most often remained undecided; moreover those who are young and/or educated prefer TR. During the follow-up period, 46% of patients started renal replacement therapy (36.5% started HD, 8.1% PD and 1.4% KT). The choice made by our patients was respected in 42% of the cases: in all the patients who chose HD; in 36% of those who chose PD, and 19% of those who chose kidney transplantation (KT). The final therapeutic modality was strongly linked to the following parameters: age, GFR and level of education. Conclusion: This study highlighted the insufficient level of patients' information about CKD and its treatment and allowed the patients to express their choice of their replacement therapy, which is a complicated process that must ­integrate the opinion of the nephrologist and the patient's preference to lead to an ­optimal organization of the therapeutic modality.

Introduction: L'éducation thérapeutique du patient (ETP) en néphrologie est incontournable dans l'intégration du patient dans la prise en charge de sa maladie rénale chronique. L'objectif de notre étude est d'évaluer l'intérêt de l'ETP dans l'acquisition des connaissances relatives à l'insuffisance rénale chronique (IRC) et aux méthodes de suppléance rénale, ainsi que dans l'orientation vers un choix thérapeutique personnalisé. Matériels et méthodes: Il s'agit d'une étude prospective réalisée entre novembre 2016 et février 2020, incluant les patients en IRC à partir du stade 4, à qui nous avons proposé une séance d'ETP sur l'IRC et ses moyens de suppléance. Ces séances, tenues tous les quinze jours, comportent un volet théorique accompli à l'aide d'un diaporama traitant les rôles des reins, la définition de l'insuffisance rénale chronique terminale (IRCT), ses symptômes et les différentes méthodes de suppléance. Concernant le volet pratique, nous avons utilisé « un panier ¼ comportant le matériel essentiel pour illustrer une séance d'hémodialyse (HD) ou de dialyse péritonéale (DP). Le recueil des données est effectué grâce à deux questionnaires : un au début de séance notant les données sociodémographiques et cliniques du patient et évaluant son niveau de connaissances de base, et un deuxième en fin de séance pour évaluer l'évolution des connaissances après ETP et pour exprimer un choix thérapeutique. Résultats: Nous avons recensé 211 patients avec un âge moyen de 55,59 ans ± 15,47 et un sexe-ratio H/F de 0,73. Le niveau d'instruction était bas dans 69 % des cas ; 23,7 % de nos patients avaient un emploi ; le débit de filtration glomérulaire (DFG) était compris entre 15 et 30 mL/min dans 56,8 % des cas. La néphropathie initiale était connue chez 60 % des patients alors que le stade de l'IRC était méconnu chez 66,4 %. Avant ETP, les patients ayant un bon niveau de connaissances globales étaient de l'ordre de 29 %, passant à 73 % après ETP. L'analyse statistique a mis en évidence une corrélation significative entre le niveau d'instruction des patients et leur score de connaissances avant et après ETP. Le choix de la méthode de suppléance rénale a été porté sur la DP, la transplantation rénale (TR) et l'HD respectivement dans 36 %, 19 % et 11,8 % des cas, alors que 33,2 % ont réclamé un temps de réflexion. Les patients âgés et/ou à bas niveau d'instruction restent le plus souvent indécis ; par ailleurs, les jeunes et/ou instruits choisissent plutôt la TR. La DP est choisie indépendamment de ces critères. Durant la période de suivi, 46 % des patients ont démarré une suppléance rénale (36,5 % ont démarré l'HD, 8,1 % la DP et 1,4 % la TR). Le choix émis par nos patients a été respecté dans 42 % des cas : chez tous les patients qui ont choisi l'HD ; chez 36 % de ceux qui ont choisi la DP ; et chez 19 % de ceux qui ont choisi la TR. La modalité thérapeutique finale était fortement liée aux paramètres suivants : l'âge, le DFG et le niveau d'instruction. Conclusion: Les résultats de notre étude ont soulevé l'insuffisance du niveau d'information des patients concernant l'IRC et son traitement, et ont permis aux patients d'exprimer un choix de traitement avec une congruence adéquate par rapport à ce qui a été précédemment publié. Le choix du traitement de suppléance rénale est un processus compliqué qui doit intégrer l'avis du néphrologue, la préférence du patient et l'organisation de la modalité thérapeutique.

Pregnancy after kidney transplantation: Ibn Sina Rabat University hospital experience / Grossesse après transplantation rénale : expérience du service de transplantation rénale du CHU Ibn Sina de Rabat (Maroc)

Introduction: Kidney transplantation (KT) restores the fertility of women with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), thus offering them the possibility of having children. However, pregnancy after kidney transplantation is associated with high maternal-fetal morbidity. The purpose of this work is to report the experience of our service in pregnancies in kidney transplant recipients. Materials and methods: We retrospectively studied the records of transplant recipients who had one or more pregnancies after KT. We analyzed clinical (blood pressure, weight gain, oedema, duration of pregnancy, obstetric complication) and biological (creatinine, urinary albumin excretion) parameters. Results: Between 1998 and 2020, twenty-one pregnancies occurred in 12 transplant recipients. The average age of patients at the time of conception was 29 ± 5 years with a delay between KT and pregnancy of 43 ± 29 months. Seven pregnancies began with arterial hypertension (HTA) controlled under treatment, proteinuria before conception was negative in all pregnancies and renal function was normal with an average creatinine level of 10.1 ± 1,27 mg/L. Prior to pregnancy, immunosuppression regimens were based on anticalcineurin (n = 21) combined either with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (n = 10) or azathioprine (n = 8) or alone (n = 3). Immunosuppression regimens were all associated with corticosteroid therapy. Three months before conception, MMF was relayed by azathioprine in seven pregnancies, on the other hand three other unplanned pregnancies, started under MMF. During pregnancy, the appearance of proteinuria greater than 0,5 g/24 h was noted in three pregnancies in the third trimester. Pregnancy hypertension was found in three pregnancies, one of which progressed to pre-eclampsia. As for renal function, it remained stable with an average creatinine level of 10,3 mg/l in the 3rd trimester. Two cases of acute pyelonephritis were noted. No episode of acute rejection was noted during and 3 months after pregnancy. The delivery was performed by caesarean section in 44.4 %, after an average term of 37 week of amenorrhea ± 2.04 with three cases of prematurity. The average birth weight was 3 110 g ± 450 g. There was one case of spontaneous abortion and two cases of fetal death in utero. After post--partum, renal function remained stable in five patients. In six cases, there was impaired renal function either by acute rejection or secondary to chronic allograft nephropathy. Conclusion: In our department, a quarter of transplant recipients were able to carry a pregnancy with a rate of 89 % of successful pregnancies. Pregnancy after KT requires special planning and monitoring. A multidisciplinary collaboration between transplant nephrologist, gynecologist and pediatrician is necessary by referring to the recommendations.

Introduction: La transplantation rénale (TR) permet de restaurer la fertilité des femmes en insuffisance rénale chronique terminale (IRCT), leur offrant ainsi la possibilité d'avoir des enfants. Toutefois, la grossesse après greffe rénale est associée à une morbidité materno-fœtale élevée. Le but de ce travail est de rapporter l'expérience de notre service dans les grossesses chez les transplantées rénales. Matériels et méthodes: Nous avons étudié rétrospectivement les dossiers de transplantées ayant eu une ou plusieurs grossesses après TR. Nous avons analysé des paramètres cliniques (tension artérielle, prise de poids, œdèmes, durée de grossesse, complications obstétricales) et biologiques (créatininémie, excrétion urinaire d'albumine). Résultats: Entre 1998 et 2020, 21 grossesses ont eu lieu chez 12 transplantées. L'âge moyen des patientes au moment de la conception était de 29 ± 5 ans avec un délai entre la TR et la grossesse de 43 ± 29 mois. Sept grossesses ont débuté avec une hypertension artérielle (HTA) contrôlée sous traitement, la protéinurie avant conception était négative dans toutes les grossesses et la fonction rénale était normale avec une créatininémie moyenne de 10,1 ± 1,27 mg/L. Avant les grossesses, les régimes d'immunosuppression étaient à base d'anticalcineurine (n = 21), associé soit à du mycophénolate mofétil (MMF) (n = 10) soit à de l'azathioprine (n = 8), ou seul (n = 3). Les régimes d'immunosuppression ont tous été associés à une corticothérapie. Trois mois avant la conception, le MMF a été ­relayé par l'azathioprine dans sept grossesses, et trois autres grossesses non programmées ont débuté sous MMF. Au cours des grossesses, on a noté l'apparition d'une protéinurie supérieure à 0,5 g/24 h dans trois grossesses au troisième trimestre. L'HTA gravidique a été retrouvée dans trois grossesses, dont une a évolué vers une pré-éclampsie. Quant à la fonction rénale, elle est restée stable avec une créatininémie moyenne de 10,3 mg/L au troisième trimestre. Deux cas de pyélonéphrite aiguë ont été notés. Aucun épisode de rejet aigu n'a été noté au cours et trois mois après la grossesse. L'accouchement a été réalisé par césarienne dans 44,4 %, après un terme moyen de 37 semaines d'aménorrhée, ± 2,04 avec trois cas de prématurité. Le poids de naissance moyen était de 3 110 g ± 450 g. On a noté un cas d'avortement spontané et deux cas de mort fœtale in utero. Après le post-partum, la fonction rénale est restée stable chez cinq patientes. Dans six cas, on a assisté à une altération de la fonction rénale par un rejet aigu ou secondaire à une néphropathie chronique d'allogreffe. Conclusion: Dans notre service, un quart des transplantées a pu mener une grossesse avec une productivité de 89 % de ces grossesses. La grossesse après la TR nécessite une planification et une surveillance particulière. Une collaboration multidisciplinaire entre néphrologue transplanteur, gynécologue et pédiatre est nécessaire en se référant aux recommandations.

Pregnancy after kidney transplantation: Ibn Sina Rabat University hospital experience / Grossesse après transplantation rénale : expérience du service de transplantation rénale du CHU Ibn Sina de Rabat (Maroc)

Introduction: Kidney transplantation (KT) restores the fertility of women with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), thus offering them the possibility of having children. However, pregnancy after kidney transplantation is associated with high maternal-fetal morbidity. The purpose of this work is to report the experience of our service in pregnancies in kidney transplant recipients. Materials and methods: We retrospectively studied the records of transplant recipients who had one or more pregnancies after KT. We analyzed clinical (blood pressure, weight gain, oedema, duration of pregnancy, obstetric complication) and biological (creatinine, urinary albumin excretion) parameters. Results: Between 1998 and 2020, twenty-one pregnancies occurred in 12 transplant recipients. The average age of patients at the time of conception was 29 ± 5 years with a delay between KT and pregnancy of 43 ± 29 months. Seven pregnancies began with arterial hypertension (HTA) controlled under treatment, proteinuria before conception was negative in all pregnancies and renal function was normal with an average creatinine level of 10.1 ± 1,27 mg/L. Prior to pregnancy, immunosuppression regimens were based on anticalcineurin (n = 21) combined either with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (n = 10) or azathioprine (n = 8) or alone (n = 3). Immunosuppression regimens were all associated with corticosteroid therapy. Three months before conception, MMF was relayed by azathioprine in seven pregnancies, on the other hand three other unplanned pregnancies, started under MMF. During pregnancy, the appearance of proteinuria greater than 0,5 g/24 h was noted in three pregnancies in the third trimester. Pregnancy hypertension was found in three pregnancies, one of which progressed to pre-eclampsia. As for renal function, it remained stable with an average creatinine level of 10,3 mg/l in the 3rd trimester. Two cases of acute pyelonephritis were noted. No episode of acute rejection was noted during and 3 months after pregnancy. The delivery was performed by caesarean section in 44.4 %, after an average term of 37 week of amenorrhea ± 2.04 with three cases of prematurity. The average birth weight was 3 110 g ± 450 g. There was one case of spontaneous abortion and two cases of fetal death in utero. After post-partum, renal function remained stable in five patients. In six cases, there was impaired renal function either by acute rejection or secondary to chronic allograft nephropathy. Conclusion: In our department, a quarter of transplant recipients were able to carry a pregnancy with a rate of 89 % of successful pregnancies. Pregnancy after KT requires special planning and monitoring. A multidisciplinary collaboration between transplant nephrologist, gynecologist and pediatrician is necessary by referring to the recommendations.

Introduction: La transplantation rénale (TR) permet de restaurer la fertilité des femmes en insuffisance rénale chronique terminale (IRCT), leur offrant ainsi la possibilité d'avoir des enfants. Toutefois, la grossesse après greffe rénale est associée à une morbidité materno-fœtale élevée. Le but de ce travail est de rapporter l'expérience de notre service dans les grossesses chez les transplantées rénales. Matériels et méthodes: Nous avons étudié rétrospectivement les dossiers de transplantées ayant eu une ou plusieurs grossesses après TR. Nous avons analysé des paramètres cliniques (tension artérielle, prise de poids, œdèmes, durée de grossesse, complications obstétricales) et biologiques (créatininémie, excrétion urinaire d'albumine). Résultats: Entre 1998 et 2020, 21 grossesses ont eu lieu chez 12 transplantées. L'âge moyen des patientes au moment de la conception était de 29 ± 5 ans avec un délai entre la TR et la grossesse de 43 ± 29 mois. Sept grossesses ont débuté avec une hypertension artérielle (HTA) contrôlée sous traitement, la protéinurie avant conception était négative dans toutes les grossesses et la fonction rénale était normale avec une créatininémie moyenne de 10,1 ± 1,27 mg/L. Avant les grossesses, les régimes d'immunosuppression étaient à base d'anticalcineurine (n = 21), associé soit à du mycophénolate mofétil (MMF) (n = 10) soit à de l'azathioprine (n = 8), ou seul (n = 3). Les régimes d'immunosuppression ont tous été associés à une corticothérapie. Trois mois avant la conception, le MMF a été relayé par l'azathioprine dans sept grossesses, et trois autres grossesses non programmées ont débuté sous MMF. Au cours des grossesses, on a noté l'apparition d'une protéinurie supérieure à 0,5 g/24 h dans trois grossesses au troisième trimestre. L'HTA gravidique a été retrouvée dans trois grossesses, dont une a évolué vers une pré-éclampsie. Quant à la fonction rénale, elle est restée stable avec une créatininémie moyenne de 10,3 mg/L au troisième trimestre. Deux cas de pyélonéphrite aiguë ont été notés. Aucun épisode de rejet aigu n'a été noté au cours et trois mois après la grossesse. L'accouchement a été réalisé par césarienne dans 44,4 %, après un terme moyen de 37 semaines d'aménorrhée, ± 2,04 avec trois cas de prématurité. Le poids de naissance moyen était de 3 110 g ± 450 g. On a noté un cas d'avortement spontané et deux cas de mort fœtale in utero. Après le post-partum, la fonction rénale est restée stable chez cinq patientes. Dans six cas, on a assisté à une altération de la fonction rénale par un rejet aigu ou secondaire à une néphropathie chronique d'allogreffe. Conclusion: Dans notre service, un quart des transplantées a pu mener une grossesse avec une productivité de 89 % de ces grossesses. La grossesse après la TR nécessite une planification et une surveillance particulière. Une collaboration multidisciplinaire entre néphrologue transplanteur, gynécologue et pédiatre est nécessaire en se référant aux recommandations.

[Bladder AA amyloidosis: A rare location. About a case]. / Amylose AA vésicale : une localisation rare. À propos d'un cas.

INTRODUCTION: Bladder localization of AA amyloidosis is rare. It can be responsible for massive and recurrent hematuria. We report a case of bladder AA amyloidosis secondary to Crohn's disease in a renal transplant patient. CLINICAL OBSERVATION: A 62-year-old man, suffering from Crohn's disease since 1991 complicated by renal AA amyloidosis. He received a kidney transplant since 20 years from an HLA identical donor. After an 18-year period of clinical remission, the patient was admitted for a flare-up of his Crohn's disease in the form of intermittent diarrhoea. Treatment with corticosteroids allowed a good evolution. A year later, he was rehospitalized for massive macroscopic haematuria. Histological examination of the bladder biopsy revealed AA amyloidosis. The patient fully recovered but died 6 weeks later from septic shock of urinary origin. CONCLUSION: The treatment of bladder localization of AA amyloidosis is based on treating the cause. Hematuria is sometimes massive, exceptionally requiring emergency cystectomy for haemostasis.

[Thymoglobulin as induction treatment in kidney transplantants with low immunological risk: a Moroccan experience]. / La thymoglobuline en traitement d'induction chez les transplantés rénaux à faible risque immunologique: une expérience marocaine.

Introduction: Thymoglobulin® is a polyclonal antibody indicated for induction treatment in kidney transplantation. The purpose of this study is to estimate the effectiveness of Thymoglobulin® as induction treatment in kidney transplant patients with low immune risk. Methods: we conducted a retrospective study between January 2012 and September 2017. Patients with low immunological risk, defined as the absence of previous transplantation and donor-specific antibodies (DSA), were included and received Thymoglobulin® induction therapy. Demographic and clinical characteristics, biological parameters and post-renal transplant complications were studied. Results: we enrolled 55 kidney transplant patients with an average follow-up period of 38 ± 16 months. The average age of patients was 39,1 ± 12,1 years with a male predominance (58.2%). No patient had DSA prior to transplant. Cumulative dose of Thymoglobulin® was 4,26 ± 0,87 mg/kg, with an average duration of 5 ± 0,82 days. Lymphocyte depletion was maximal on the first day of infusion. Three patients had delayed graft function, at least one episode of bacterial infection in 56,4% of patients, 7 cases of CMV infections (12,7%) and 2 cases of CMV disease (3,6%). Graft survival rate was calculated for all patients with an average serum creatinine of 11,7 ± 3,6 mg/l during the last visit. Conclusion: although it is not indicated for first line treatment in patients with low immunological risk, Thymoglobulin® can nevertheless be prescribed at a lower dose, with similar efficacy and without exposure to a higher risk of rejection.

[Microscopic polyangiitis induced by a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Case report]. / Polyangéite microscopique induite par un inhibiteur de la recapture de la sérotonine. À propos d'un cas.

Microscopic polyangiitis is an ANCA-associated vasculitis and affects small sized vessels. We report a case of microscopic polyangiitis, in a 31 year old patient with renal, skin and neurologic manifestations, which was probably triggered by a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Under induction therapy with corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide, the kidney recovery is complete, neurological is slow but satisfactory.

[Analysis of the infectious risk around the patient in the hemodialysis unit of Ibn Sina Rabat hospital using the failure modes, effects and criticality analysis method]. / Analyse du risque infectieux autour du patient dans l'unité d'hémodialyse de l'hôpital Ibn Sina de Rabat par application de la méthode d'analyse des modes de défaillance, de leurs effets et de leur criticité.

INTRODUCTION: Hemodialysis is a technique of extra-renal purification associated with high level of risk. The objective is to assess infectious risk during a hemodialysis session on hygiene around the patient in hospital. METHODS: An a priori risk assessment by Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis method (FMECA) was carried out from May to August 2018, in order to overview infectious risk during the process of hemodialysis in the Ibn Sina Hospital (Rabat, Morocco). RESULTS: Twenty eight failure modes were identified during the hemodialysis process around the patient: fourteen criticality level 1, ten level 2, and four level 3. A prevention plan has been drafted. Three of the four level 3 failure modes were reduced to level 1 and one to level 2. DISCUSSION: FMECA have enabled us to identify the potential risks, to reconsider certain procedures and to suggest measure matrix for the coverage of the most critical risks. CONCLUSION: This analysis makes it possible, through periodic evaluations, to enter a real quality approach, which reinforces the satisfaction of the patients as well as all the actors of the hemodialysis center.

[The factors for progression of the diabetic nephropathy: management and evolution]. / Les facteurs de progression de la néphropathie diabétique : prise en charge et évolution.

UNLABELLED: The diabetic nephropathy is among the first causes of end stage renal disease worldwide. However, the diabetics are often lately refered to the nephrologists. The goal of our study is to determine the stage of the diabetic nephropathy, its risk factors and to appreciate its evolution after a nephrology management in Morocco. METHODS: Prospective study including 728 patients diabetic type 2 addressed for a nephrologic follow up between January 2000 and December 2007. We evaluated the stage of diabetic nephropathy by the dosage of the urinary albumin excretion of 24 hours and the estimation of the renal function by the creatinine clearance. Four stages have been distinguished: negative microalbuminuria, positive microalbuminuria, macroalbuminuria and renal failure. After the instauration of the measures of nephroprotection, we appreciated the evolution of this diabetic nephropathy after a minimum follow-up of six months. RESULTS: The mean age of our patients was of 61,8 years. At the first consultation, 68,9% of patients had a renal failure. The diabetes duration was of 13,8 years. The unbalanced diabetes was noted at 68,7% of the patients. The risk factors of the renal failure were age, systolic arterial tension, retinopathy diabetic and anemia. After a mean follow-up of 22,4 months, the urinary albumin excretion became negative in 42,6% of the patients. The deterioration of the renal function was slow (creatinine clearance: 52,2ml versus 45,5ml/min/1,73m(2)). CONCLUSION: The majority of our patients had renal failure at the first consultation, showing the late referal of the diabetics to the nephrologists, complicating their management. The early screening would permit to assure the nephroprotection.

Calciphylaxis: Successful Management of a Rare Complication of Chronic Kidney Disease in Two Patients.

Calciphylaxis, or calcification uremic arteriolopathy, is a rare disease thought to occur due to arteriolar calcifications of the dermis and is responsible for ischemia with cutaneous necrosis and painful panniculitis. Its mechanism remains poorly understood which makes its management challenging and difficult to standardize. We report our management of two patients diagnosed with calciphylaxis. In one patient, calciphylaxis was mentioned upon admission given the context of preexisting secondary hyperparathyroidism and the existence of multiple risk factors. In both patients, the diagnosis was confirmed histologically. Our two observations highlight the difficulty of the diagnosis and the complexity of the therapeutic management that has been personalized according to patient characteristics and clinical evolution. Several therapeutic means can be implemented once the diagnosis is made; nevertheless, its prognosis remains pejorative despite the therapeutic advances. Broad debridement, good phosphocalcic balance control, and the correction of the risk factors top the list of any therapeutic strategy. One of the major challenges of the therapy is normalizing the calcium-phosphate balance. Thus, Cinacalcet and sodium thiosulfate appear to be promising treatments.

Associations between clinical characteristics and angiotensin-converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion polymorphism in Moroccan population with Type-2 diabetic nephropathy.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the severe complications of Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and a major cause of end-stage renal disease in these patients. Results from published studies on the relationship between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/ deletion (I/D) gene polymorphism and patients with DN are still conflicting. We compared the clinical characteristics and the genotype frequencies of ACE polymorphism in 130 T2DM Moroccan patients with DN and 85 T2DM Moroccan patients without DN (controls) using specific primers in a polymerase chain reaction. The degenerative complications of diabetes were significantly higher in the group with nephropathy. The distribution of the I/D genotypes was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The D allele was the most frequent allele in the Moroccan population in both groups studied (P = 0.68), however, there was no significant difference between the genotypes in T2DM patients with or without DN (P = 0.78). The ACE gene I/D polymorphism was not associated with an increased risk of DN in the Moroccan population.

Comparison of the Effects of Dialysis Methods (Haemodialysis vs Peritoneal Dialysis) on Diastolic Left Ventricular Function Dialysis Methods and Diastolic Function.

INTRODUCTION: In patients undergoing chronic dialysis, several factors appear to influence the occurrence of cardiac abnormalities. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of two different methods of renal replacement therapy (chronic haemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)) on left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 63 patients: 21 patients on CAPD, and 42 age- and gender-matched patients on HD; 35 patients were men (55.6%). Median of age was 46.4 (35-57) years. The median duration of renal replacement therapy was 3(2-5) years. RESULTS: The two groups (HD vs PD) were similar concerning body mass index, dialysis duration and cardiovascular risk factors. The comparison of echocardiographic parameters showed statistically significant differences between two groups, regarding the presence of calcification, cardiac effusion, severely abnormal left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH) and the ratio of mitral velocity to early diastolic velocity of the mitral annulus (E/e') >13 (p= 0.001, p= 0.003, p= 0.02, p= 0.004, respectively). In multivariate analysis, an E/e'>13 was higher in PD group ( OR= 5.8, CI [1.3-25.5], p=0.002). CONCLUSION: The method of dialysis seems to influence LV diastolic function. We observed a higher prevalence of diastolic LV dysfunction in the PD group. Echocardiographic follow up is essential as this could improve the management of cardiovascular complications in dialysis patients.

Mechanical complications of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: Experience at the Ibn Sina University Hospital.

Peritoneal dialysis is a new renal replacement therapy recently introduced in Morocco since 2006. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis has proven to be as effective as hemodialysis. However, it is associated with several complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of complications in patients treated with peritoneal dialysis at our center. The nature of non-infectious complications was noted during follow-up in these patients. Fiftyseven complications were noted among 34 patients between June 2006 and June 2014. Catheter migration was the most common complication (36.8%), followed by obstruction (14%), dialysate leaks (14%), hemorrhagic complications (10.5%) and, finally, hernia (12.2%), catheter perforation (5.2%) and externalization (3.5%).

Pregnancy after renal transplantation: Effects on mother, child, and renal graft function.

The aim of this study was to report our experience of pregnancy in renal transplant (RT) patients and its medium and long-term effects on the renal graft as well as the maternal fetal complications. We studied 21 pregnancies in 12 RT patients with mean age of 29.9 ± 5.3 years. The mean duration of RT to 1 st pregnancy was 42 (21-68.5) months and the median follow-up period was 112.5 (138-165) months. The pregnancy was planned in 28.6% of the cases. At the time of the diagnosis of the pregnancy, all the patients were maintained on corticosteroids and cyclosporine, 14.3% of the patients were on mycophenolate mofetil, and 71.4% of the patients were on azathioprine. The high blood pressure was present before the pregnancy in 33.3% of the patients. During pregnancy, proteinuria appeared in 20% of the cases, urinary tract infection in 33.3%, and preeclampsia in 5%. Anemia was present in all the patients during pregnancy. The doses of cyclosporine were increased during pregnancy. The mean term of delivery was 37 ± 2 weeks. Premature delivery was observed in 19% of the cases, fetal death in utero in 10%, and abortion in 15%. The number of living children was 16, with a mean birth weight of 3014 ± 515 g; the weight was lower than 2500 g in three (15%) cases. In the long-term follow-up, we noticed two cases of acute rejection related to patients' noncompliance, and four cases of chronic allograft nephropathy, without a switch to dialysis. We conclude that pregnancy in RT patients requires multidisciplinary care because of the increased risks of maternal and fetal complications. Each pregnancy needs to be planned; all parameters have to be studied and evaluated in order to allow for optimization of outcome and minimization of complications.

Evaluation of the effect of duration on dialysis on echocardiographic parameters: a preliminary study.

The excessive cardiovascular mortality seen in patients with end-stage renal disease seems to be closely related to accelerated coronary atherosclerosis. Some echocardiographic parameters such as left ventricular mass and diastolic dysfunction are implicated in ventricular dysfunction and mortality. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of duration on dialysis on some echocardiographic parameters. We enrolled 75 patients on hemodialysis, including 34 women, in our prospective study. The mean age was 42.5 ± 13.8 years. The echocardiographic parameters were all measured within 2 h after a dialysis session. The study population was divided into two groups: Group-1 consisted of patients on dialysis for < 5 years and group-2 included patients on dialysis for >5 years. The two groups were similar regarding demographic characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors. On univariate analysis, a statistically significant difference was seen in the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (P = 0.002), left ventricular end-syslotic diameter (P = 0.008), left ventricular mass (P = 0.006), inter-ventricular septum (P = 0.024), mitral flow deceleration time (P = 0.03), tricuspid anteroposterior systolic excursion (P = 0.01), inferior vena cava diameter (P = 0.04), left atrial size (P = 0.02), valvular calcification (P = 0.01) and pericardial effusion (P = 0.01) between the two groups. We conclude that the duration on dialysis is associated with changes in several echocardiographic parameters. Frequent follow-up with echocardiogram is recommended in the management of these patients.

[Pathological and clinical correlations in renal AA amyloidosis: A Moroccan series of 30 cases]. / Amyloses rénales AA : corrélations anatomocliniques dans une série marocaine de 30 cas.

OBJECTIVE: Study of histological and clinical correlations of 30 cases of renal amyloidosis AA diagnosed between November 2010 and December 2012. RESULTS: The main causes associated with amyloidosis AA were represented by chronic infectious diseases (60%). Nephrotic syndrome and renal failure were observed in 94% and 73% respectively. The distribution of amyloid deposits: 90% of patients had a glomerular form and 10% had a vascular form. Inflammatory reaction associated with AA renal amyloidosis was present in 50% of cases. This inflammation was observed near amyloid deposits associated with a deposition of immunoglobulin chains and/or complement factors. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms the predominance of AA amyloidosis complicating chronic infectious diseases, especially tuberculosis. Our data point out a relationship between the morphology of renal AA amyloidosis, its clinical presentation and prognosis.

Outcome assessment of pregnancy-related acute kidney injury in Morocco: A national prospective study.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a rare but life-threatening complication of pregnancy. The aim of this paper is to study the characteristics of acute AKI in pregnancy and to emphasize on its management modalities in Moroccan hospitals. This is a national prospective study performed over six months from July 1 to December 31 2010 on AKI developing in pregnant patients, both preand post-partum period. Patients with pre-existing kidney disease were excluded from the study. Outcome was considered unfavorable when complete recovery of renal function was not achieved and/or maternal death occurred. Forty-four patients were included in this study. They were 29.6 ± 6 years old and mostly illiterate (70.6%). Most AKI occurred in the post-partum period, with 66% of the cases occurring in those who did not receive antenatal care. The main etiologies were pre-eclampsia (28 cases), hemorrhagic shock (six cases) and septic events (five cases). We noted three cases of acute fatty liver, one case of obstructive kidney injury and one case of lupus nephritis. Hemodialysis was necessary in 17 (38.6%) cases. The outcome was favorable in 29 patients. The maternal mortality rate was 11.4%. Two poor prognostic factors were identified: Age over 38 years and sepsis. AKI is a severe complication of pregnancy in developing countries. Its prevention necessitates the improvement of the sanitary infrastructure and the establishment of the obligatory antenatal care.