Kidney Histopathology Can Predict Kidney Function in ANCA-Associated Vasculitides with Acute Kidney Injury Treated with Plasma Exchanges.

BACKGROUND: Data from the PEXIVAS trial challenged the role of plasma exchange (PLEX) in ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAV). We aimed to describe kidney biopsy from patients with AAV treated with PLEX, evaluate whether histopathologic findings could predict kidney function, and identify which patients would most benefit from PLEX. METHODS: We performed a multicenter, retrospective study on 188 patients with AAV and AKI treated with PLEX and 237 not treated with PLEX. The primary outcome was mortality or KRT at 12 months (M12). RESULTS: No significant benefit of PLEX for the primary outcome was found. To identify patients benefitting from PLEX, we developed a model predicting the average treatment effect of PLEX for an individual depending on covariables. Using the prediction model, 223 patients had a better predicted outcome with PLEX than without PLEX, and 177 of them had >5% increased predicted probability with PLEX compared with without PLEX of being alive and free from KRT at M12, which defined the PLEX-recommended group. Risk difference for death or KRT at M12 was significantly lower with PLEX in the PLEX-recommended group (-15.9%; 95% CI, -29.4 to -2.5) compared with the PLEX not recommended group (-4.8%; 95% CI, 14.9 to 5.3). Microscopic polyangiitis, MPO-ANCA, higher serum creatinine, crescentic and sclerotic classes, and higher Brix score were more frequent in the PLEX-recommended group. An easy to use score identified patients who would benefit from PLEX. The average treatment effect of PLEX for those with recommended treatment corresponded to an absolute risk reduction for death or KRT at M12 of 24.6%. CONCLUSIONS: PLEX was not associated with a better primary outcome in the whole study population, but we identified a subset of patients who could benefit from PLEX. However, these findings must be validated before utilized in clinical decision making.

Ipilimumab for the treatment of advanced melanoma in six kidney transplant patients.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are new therapeutic options for metastatic melanoma, but few data are available in organ transplant recipient populations. Six French patients, three men and three women, mean age 66 years (range 44-74), all kidney transplant recipients, received ipilimumab (CTLA-4 inhibitor) for metastatic melanoma. At diagnosis of advanced melanoma, immunosuppressive therapy had been minimized in all but one. Adverse effects included one case of grade 1 diarrhea and one of grade 1 pruritus. One patient had acute T cell-mediated rejection confirmed by histology after the first injection of ipilimumab. After a median follow-up of 4.5 (3-20) months, one patient achieved partial response, one had stable disease, and four had disease progression. All the patients died, five from melanoma, one from another cause. In this series and in the literature, ipilimumab proved to be safe and possibly active. The acute rejection we encountered was probably related to both a rapid, drastic reduction of immunosuppression and the use of ipilimumab. Our safety data on ipilimumab contrast with the organ transplant rejections already reported with PD-1 inhibitors. We consider that immunosuppression should not be minimized, as the impact on metastatic disease control is probably small.

A multicentre study of 95 biopsy-proven cases of renal disease in primary Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE.: Renal involvement is a rare event during primary SS (pSS). We aimed to describe the clinico-biological and histopathological characteristics of pSS-related nephropathy and its response to treatment. METHODS.: We conducted a French nationwide, retrospective, multicentre study including pSS patients fulfilling American-European Consensus Group criteria or enlarged American-European Consensus Group criteria, and with biopsy-proven renal involvement. RESULTS.: A total of 95 patients were included (median age 49 years). An estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <60 ml/min was found in 82/95 patients (86.3%). Renal biopsy demonstrated tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) in 93 patients (97.9%), and frequent (75%) plasma cell infiltrates. Glomerular lesions were found in 22 patients (23.2%), mainly related to cryoglobulin. The presence of anti-SSA (76.8%) and anti-SSB (53.8%) antibodies was particularly frequent among patients with TIN and was associated with a worse renal prognosis. Eighty-one patients (85.3%) were treated, with CSs in 80 (98.8%) and immunosuppressive agents (mostly rituximab) in 21 cases (25.9%). Despite marked interstitial fibrosis at initial biopsy, kidney function improved significantly during the 12-month period following diagnosis (final eGFR 49.9 vs 39.8 ml/min/1.73 m 2 at baseline, P < 0.001). No proven benefit of immunosuppressive agents over steroid therapy alone was found in this study. CONCLUSION.: Renal involvement of pSS is mostly due to TIN with marked T, B and especially plasma cell infiltration. Renal dysfunction is usually isolated but can be severe. Use of CSs can improve the eGFR, but further studies are needed to define the best therapeutic strategy in this disease.

Sirolimus-based regimen is associated with decreased expression of glomerular vascular endothelial growth factor.

BACKGROUND: Sirolimus (SRL) is a potent immunosuppressant used in organ transplantation. It is known to decrease vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) synthesis, making it an interesting treatment option for transplant patients who develop Kaposi sarcoma or other malignant diseases. Because VEGF plays a key role in glomerular function and vascular remodelling, we determined the effect of SRL on renal VEGF expression. METHODS: Using immunohistochemistry and quantitative image analysis, we examined renal VEGF expression in routine kidney biopsies performed at 1 year post-transplant in the CONCEPT study, a prospective randomized study comparing a cyclosporine (CsA)-based regimen to a SRL-based regimen in association with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). RESULTS: A total of 74 patients were included in this substudy; 35 were randomized to the CsA group and 39 to the SRL group. Using continuous variables, the mean percentage of glomerular VEGF expression at Week 52 was significantly lower in the SRL group (14.7 ± 13%) compared to CsA group (21.2 ± 14%: P = 0.02). The percentage of glomerular VEGF expression at Week 52 was not influenced by recipient or donor age, gender, renal function, CsA dose, CsA blood level, SRL dose or SRL blood level. It was significantly lower in patients with a proteinuria over versus below 0.5 g/day (11.58 ± 7.9 versus 19.45 ± 15.53; P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: There is emerging evidence that the VEGF system can play either a beneficial or a detrimental role depending on the specific pathologic situations. Therefore, modulating the renal VEGF axis by using an SRL-based regimen may influence the evolution of kidney injury associated with renal transplantation.

Glomerulonephritis with non-Randall-type, non-cryoglobulinaemic monoclonal immunoglobulin G deposits (PGNMID and ITG).

Background: Glomerulonephritis (GN) with non-Randall-type, non-cryoglobulinaemic monoclonal immunoglobulin G deposits encompasses rare diseases [proliferative GN with non-organized deposits (PGNMID) and immunotactoid GN] that cannot be distinguished without ultrastructural analysis by electron microscopy (EM). Methods: Here, we report and analyse the prognosis of 41 EM-proven (PGNMID for 39/41) and 22 non-EM-proven/DNAJB9-negative cases, diagnosed between 2001 and 2019 in 12 French nephrology centres. Results: Median (interquartile range) serum creatinine (SCr) at presentation was 150 (92-256) µmol/L. The predominant histological pattern was membranoproliferative GN (79%), with IgG3 (74%) kappa (78%) deposits the most frequently observed. Disease presentation and patient management were similar between EM-proven and non-EM-proven cases. A serum monoclonal spike was detected for 21 patients and 10 had an underlying haematological malignancy. First-line therapy was mixed between clone-targeted therapy (n = 33), corticosteroids (n = 9) and RAAS inhibitors (n = 19). After 6 months, nine patients achieved complete and 23 partial renal recovery. In univariate analysis, renal recovery was associated with baseline SCr (odds ratio 0.70, P = 0.07). After a median follow-up of 52 (35-74) months, 38% of patients had progressed to end-stage kidney disease independently associated with baseline SCr [hazard ratio (HR) 1.41, P = 0.003] and glomerular crescentic proliferation (HR 4.38, P = 0.004). Conclusions: Our results confirm that non-cryoglobulinaemic and non-Randall GN with monoclonal IgG deposits are rarely associated with haematological malignancy. The prognosis is uncertain but may be improved by early introduction of a specific therapy.

Tubulointerstitial damage and interstitial immune cell phenotypes are useful predictors for renal survival and relapse in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis.

The aims of this study were to determine whether tubulointerstitial damage in the form of interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy and total interstitial inflammation predicted progression to end stage renal disease (ESRD) and/or renal relapse (RR) in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). One hundred thirteen patients with AAV from six French centers with an index biopsy performed between 2003 and 2013 were included. Histological assessments using the AAV glomerular classification and the kidney allograft Banff classification were performed on pathological review. Biopsy tissues were also investigated by CD3, CD20, CD68, CD163, FOXP3 and RORγt immunohistochemical staining. Competing risks models were calculated. Of the 113 patients, 26 (23.0%) died during follow-up and 29 (25.6%) developed ESRD. Among the 94 patients who achieved remission by the end of induction therapy without developing ESRD, 26 (27.6%) experienced RR. The two independent prognostic factors for ESRD were the estimated glomerular filtration rate at presentation (HR 0.35; 95% CI 0.23-0.51; P < 0.0001) and IF/TA > 25% (HR 2.27; 95% CI 1.18-4.37; P = 0.014). When the distribution of interstitial immune cell phenotypes was included in a second multivariable model, the organization of lymphocytic infiltrates was also an independent predictor of ESRD (HR 2.86; 95% CI 1.35-6.1, P = 0.006). The independent risk factors for RR were a higher CD3/CD20 ratio (HR 1.39; 95% CI 1.05-1.85; P = 0.02) and the presence of RORγt positive cells (HR 2.70; 95% CI 1.11-6.54; P = 0.02). Our results highlight the prognostic value of initial histological evaluations in AAV. Measurements of tubulointerstitial damage and interstitial immune cell phenotype distributions should be considered to improve risk assessments for ESRD and RR.

[Medical students and the teaching of pathology: results of a survey in the faculty of medicine of Amiens]. / Etudiants en médecine et enseignement de l'anatomie pathologique : résultats d'une enquête amiénoise.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our survey was to assess the perception of teaching pathology by the medical students in the sixth year of the medical course (DCEM4), in the faculty of medicine of Amiens. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Just after an exam in December 2008, an anonymous questionnaire of 19 items, dealing with pathology, the teaching of pathology and tutorials, was given to the 127 medical students in DCEM4. RESULTS: Seventy-four percent of the students out of the 127 students filled and gave back the questionnaire (response rate: 58%). Eighty-nine percent of the students considered their knowledge in pathology inadequate. Fifty-three percent of the students considered the teaching of pathology mediocre. For 85% of the students, tutorials were useful. For 93% of the students pathology plays a main role in modern medicine. Thirty-eight percent of the students considered that pathology was an interesting specialty. Sixty-nine percent of them did not know how a department of pathology functioned. Four percent of the students would like to choose a training in pathology. DISCUSSION: Although the results are not available for all French faculties of medicine, this survey underlines the present limits of the teaching of pathology, which is not coming up to the students' expectations. The students appreciate tutorials but pathology is not attractive. More lectures about pathology after the third year of the medical course, a better communication and the reception of more medical students in the departments of pathology could improve the situation.

Odontoid fracture complicating Jaffe-Lichtenstein disease. Case report.

The authors report the case of a 31-year-old man with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia who suffered a traumatic odontoid fracture in an area of a preexisting bone lesion. Conservative treatment was successfully performed. Jaffe-Lichtenstein disease is discussed along with differential diagnoses and alternative methods of treatment.

[Adult autopsies in a French university hospital (CHU Amiens) for the period 1975-2005]. / Les autopsies d'adultes au CHU d'Amiens durant la période 1975-2005.

We have reviewed the pathological reports of adult necropsies performed in Amiens hospital during the 1975-2005 period. 1,639 autopsies were performed in 1,049 men and 590 women. We distinguished three periods: 1975-1987 (period 1) with a high number of autopsies (86/year), 1988-1996 (period 2) with a huge decrease of autopsies performed (43/year) and 1997-2005 (period 3) with few autopsies performed (14/year). Patients were younger during period 3, 38% were less than 50 years old versus 26% and 29% during periods 1 and 2. The sex ratio M/F increased during period 3 (2.7 versus 1.7 and 1.9 during periods 1 and 2). Period 3 showed an increase of major diagnoses discovered during autopsies (36% versus 28% of autopsies performed during periods 1 and 2) and showed an increase of autopsies performed after iatrogenic events (20% versus 12% and 13% of autopsies of periods 1 and 2). Period 3 showed an increase of the delay between the death of patients and autopsy and a decrease of the delay of transmission of pathological reports. 2% of autopsies were never answered by the pathologists. In conclusion, our study confirms the major decline of autopsies during the last 30 years. Patients autopsied are currently young men and the autopsies are more frequently performed in potential forensic circumstances. Selection biases explain that major diagnoses are more frequently found at autopsies nowadays than 30 years ago.

[Inflammatory pseudotumour of the bladder in children: report of a new case and review of the literature]. / Pseudo tumeur inflammatoire de vessie chez l'enfant: a propos d'une nouvelle observation et revue de la littérature.

Bladder tumour is rare in children and usually corresponds to embryonic rhabdomyosarcoma. However one of the differential diagnoses is inflammatory pseudotumour of the bladder which is a benign lesion with a good prognosis. The authors report the case of a 3-year-old boy who presented with macroscopic haematuria related to a lesion of the anterior bladder wall. Histological examination of the partial cystectomy specimen demonstrated inflammatory pseudotumour of the bladder that was confirmed by a review examination. Thirteen cases have been reported in the literature over the last ten years and all had a favourable outcome after complete resection of the lesion. Thorough histological examination of the lesion is therefore important to guide treatment.

Predictive factors for final pathologic ureteral sections on 700 radical cystectomy specimens: Implications for intraoperative frozen section decision-making.

PURPOSE: To identify preoperative predictive factors for final ureteral section invasion after radical cystectomy (RC) and to validate significant factors on an external independent cohort. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data of all consecutive RC performed for bladder cancer in 2 high-volume institutions. Clinical, pathological, and follow-up data were collected prospectively and reviewed retrospectively. Pathological evaluation was performed by 2 well-trained uropathologists in each center. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictive factors for final ureteral sections involvement. Significant factors in cohort A were validated in cohort B. Receiver operating curve and area under curve were modeled to evaluate predictive accuracy of the markers. RESULTS: A total of 441 RC were performed in center A and 307 RC were performed in center B. Mean follow-ups were 36.2 and 38.1 months, respectively. Invasion of the final ureteral section was observed on 5.5% of patients in cohort A and 4.8% of patients in cohort B. In cohort A, multivariable logistic regression identified preoperative hydronephrosis on computed tomography scan (odds ratio [OR] = 4.9, P = 0.004) and presence of Carcinoma in situ (CIS, OR = 3.9, P = 0.01) as the only factors associated with ureteral sections positivity. In cohort B, hydronephrosis and CIS were both associated with ureteral sections positivity in univariable analysis. In multivariable analysis, only hydronephrosis remained significant (OR = 5.9, P = 0.01). Predictive accuracy of hydronephrosis and CIS combined in 1 variable was 0.72. CONCLUSION: Hydronephrosis and bladder CIS have good accuracy in predicting ureteral sections positivity after RC. In the presence of those factors, ureteral frozen sections should be performed.

[Angiomyofibroblastoma of the male genital tract. Pathological and immunohistochemical study of three cases]. / L'angiomyofibroblastome du tractus génital masculin. Etude anatomo-clinique et immunohistochimique de trois cas.

Angiomyofibroblastoma of the male genital tract is a rare tumor with only 20 cases reported in the literature to date. We report three cases in males aged from 23 to 44 years. They presented with painless inguinal, scrotal and perineal masses, ranging from 3 to 8 cm in diameter. On microscopic examination the tumors were composed of small spindle cells without atypia in a fibrous and myxoid stroma. There were scattered mononuclear inflammatory cells around capillaries. Immunohistochemical studies showed positive staining of the tumor cells for vimentin, and weak reactivity for CD34, bcl-2, CD99, EMA and CD117. Some tumor cells expressed estrogen receptors in all three cases, and progesterone receptors in only one case. There was no recurrence with a follow-up ranging form 12 to 21 months. Angiomyofibroblastoma of the male genital tract is a benign often hormone-dependent tumor. Its histogenesis is still unclear. It has to be distinguished from aggressive angiomyxoma and myxofibrosarcoma.

[Bladder nephrogenic metaplasia: circumstances of discovery, predisposing factors, and clinical course in 7 cases diagnosed between 1988 and 2000]. / La métaplasie néphrogénique vésicale: circonstances de découverte, facteurs favorisants et évolution de sept cas diagnostiqués entre 1988 et 2000.

INTRODUCTION: Nephrogenic adenoma (NA) or nephrogenic metaplasia is a rare, benign urothelial tumour. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated the circumstances of discovery, predisposing factors, and clinical course of seven patients with nephrogenic adenoma diagnosed between 1988 and 2000. The mean age of these patients was 55.7 years (range: 16 to 88 years). The mean follow-up was 24 months (range: 4 to 108 months). RESULTS: There are no specific endoscopic findings and the lesion was sometimes flat or papillary with an appearance that can be identical to that of bladder tumour. The diagnosis was always based on histological findings. Suggestive clinical signs were nonspecific and comprised: haematuria, dysuria, or urgency. Treatment was surgical with transurethral resection or electrocoagulation of the lesion, combined with elimination of the factors irritating the urothelial mucosa. In our experience, recurrences were observed in 28.5% of patients and occurred during the year following the initial treatment. CONCLUSION: Nephrogenic adenoma is a rare, benign urothelial tumour most frequently situated in the bladder. The presenting clinical signs are completely nonspecific and usually related to predisposing factors (infections, inflammation, bladder tumour). Only histological examination can provide the essential proof of the benign nature of this lesion. Endoscopic resection therefore has two objectives: diagnostic and therapeutic. The clinical course is characterized by recurrences.

[Fanconi syndrome in a 22-year-old African patient]. / Syndrome de Fanconi chez un patient de 22 ans d'origine africaine.

Acquired Fanconi syndrome can occur in patients with monoclonal gammopathy or after exposure to heavy metals or drug agents such as ifosfamide, and some antiretroviral therapies. Fanconi syndrome is characterized by a dysfunctional of the proximal tubular responsible in its complete form for polyuria, hypokalemia, glycosuria, hypophosphatemia and low molecular weight proteinuria. We report the case of a 22-year-old patient hospitalized with an acute renal failure secondary to a tubulo-interstitial nephritis associated with a complete Fanconi syndrome in a context of a poor general condition and fever. We described and analyzed the process leading to the diagnosis.

Localized amyloidosis of the genitourinary tract: report of 5 new cases and review of the literature.

Primary localized amyloidosis of the genitourinary tract is a rare entity characterized by small pseudotumors localized in the renal pelvis, ureters, or bladder. Amyloid fibrils are derived from immunoglobulin light chains, but no systemic plasma cell proliferation is detected. The clinical and radiologic features mimic urinary tract cancer, and local treatment is indicated. The prognosis is excellent in most cases, although disease recurrence is possible. We report 5 new cases of localized amyloidosis of the urinary tract, with lambda (4/5), or kappa (1/5) chain amyloid protein, involving the bladder (5/5), and the ureter and renal pelvis (1/5), with multiple, bilateral lesions in 1 case. The presenting complaint was painless hematuria in 4 cases. All cases were of primary (AL)-type amyloidosis. All patients underwent extensive investigation, and none presented any signs of generalized amyloidosis. A favorable outcome was observed in every case. We performed a comprehensive review of the literature, and summarize the data.

Heterogeneous pattern of renal disease associated with homozygous factor H deficiency.

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II is a rare renal disease, associated with uncontrolled activation of the complement alternative pathway because of C3 nephritic factor. Abnormalities in factor H have been rarely described in patients with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II. We report the clinical history, molecular defect, and histologic description of 3 patients with factor H deficiency and various types of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. The 3 patients presented with severely decreased C3. Circulating factor H was undetectable. Complete factor H deficiency (CFH) was due to homozygous complement factor H mutations in short consesus repeat (SCR) 7, 10, and 11. Age at onset was 1 (patient 1), 17 (patient 2), and 33 years (patient 3). Symptoms at diagnosis included proteinuria of 0.5, 2.4, and 11 g/d, respectively, microhematuria, and normal renal function in all cases. The estimated glomerular filtration rate at last follow-up was 25, 43, and 112 mL/min per 1.73 m(2), at ages of 29, 24, and 37 years, respectively. Renal biopsies disclosed a membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II with atypical discontinuous dense deposits in patient 1; a membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type I with immunoglobin G (IgG), C1q, and abundant C3 deposits in patient 2; and a membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with isolated C3 deposits without dense deposits in patient 3. This report of factor H-deficient patients emphasizes the diversity of the histologic lesions associated with factor H deficiencies and the role of the alternative pathway in several subtypes of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.