From past to present: Exploring COVID-19 in Qatar's hemodialysis population across Omicron dominant and pre-Omicron periods.

COVID-19 carries a high risk of morbidity and mortality in dialysis patients. Multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants have been identified since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study aimed to compare the incidence and outcomes of the COVID-19 Omicron dominant period versus other pre-Omicron period in hemodialysis patients. In this observational, analytical, retrospective, nationwide study, we reviewed adult chronic hemodialysis patients between March 1, 2020, and January 31, 2022. Four hundred twenty-one patients had COVID-19 during the study period. The incidence of COVID-19 due to the Omicron dominant period was significantly higher than other pre-Omicron period (30.3% vs. 18.7%, P<0.001). In contrast, the admission rate to ICU was significantly lower in the Omicron dominant period than in the pre-Omicron period (2.8% vs. 25%, P<0001) but with no significant difference in ICU length of stay. The mortality rate was lower in the Omicron dominant period compared to the pre-Omicron period (2.4% vs. 15.5%, P<0.001). Using multivariate analysis, older age [OR 1.093 (95% CI 1.044-1.145); P<0.0001] and need for mechanical ventilation [OR 70.4 (95% CI 20.39-243.1); P<0.0001] were identified as two independent risk factors for death in hemodialysis patients with COVID-19. In Conclusion, the COVID-19 Omicron variant had a higher incidence and lower morbidity and mortality than pre-Omicron period in our hemodialysis population.

An unusual case of acute kidney injury caused by obstructive uropathy revealing gastric cancer.

Acute kidney injury is a common complication in patients with cancer. Obstructive uropathy is a rare complication of gastric cancer and occurs mainly during treatment. Moreover, obstructive uropathy is rarely complicated by acute renal injury and thus requires emergency treatment. We report a rare case of anuric acute kidney injury that was actually obstructive uropathy secondary to gastric adenocarcinoma. Based on this case and literature review, malignancy should be considered in any patient not known to have cancer who presents with acute kidney injury caused by obstructive uropathy. This presentation reflects an advanced stage of malignancy. Non-enhanced computed tomography is valuable and should be the initial imaging study for diagnosing the obstruction and its cause. Early diagnosis and relief of the obstruction are associated with better recovery of the renal function.

Acute kidney injury with granulomatous interstitial nephritis and vasculitis revealing sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that affects mostly the lungs and lymph glands. Renal involvement is rare and especially vasculitis. We report a case who presented an acute kidney failure and had sarcoidosis with vasculitis and nodular splenic involvement. A 35-year-old woman presenting a Lofgren syndrome was hospitalized for acute renal failure with cervical lymphadenopathy without other clinical findings. Laboratory data disclosed elevated angiotensin converting enzyme serum level. Abdominal ultrasound showed a multinodular spleen. Renal histology revealed granulomatous interstitial nephritis with necrotizing vasculitis. Outcome was favorable after the institution of high dose corticosteroids along with cyclophosphamide. Renal involvement is rare in sarcoidosis. However, the diagnostic delay should be avoided to improve the outcome.

Therapeutic efficacy of a biosimilar epoetin alfa in hemodialysis patients.

Anemia is a frequent complication in patients with chronic kidney disease. However, human recombinant erythropoietin (rHu-EPO) has revolutionized the management of anemia in chronically dialyzed patients. Epomax ® is a new rHu-EPO alfa manufactured in Tunisia (Medis Laboratories). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of Epomax ® in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients in a phase-III, multicenter, clinical trial. Fiftythree HD patients (mean age 47.7 ± 13 years) who received a stable dose of rHu-EPO (Hemax ® , a rHu-EPO alfa manufactured by Biosidus Laboratories) subcutaneously were switched to Epomax ® via the same route of administration. At baseline, the mean systolic pressure was 132 ± 18 mm Hg and the mean diastolic pressure was 79 ± 8 mm Hg. The mean blood hemoglobin was 10.2 g/dL and the median ferritin level was 667 ng/mL. After a follow-up of 43 days, the mean blood hemoglobin was 10.5 g/dL under the effect of Epomax ® . There was no significant difference in the mean hemoglobin levels between the treatments with both drugs. Few adverse events were reported during the study. We conclude that Epomax ® was effective at maintaining the hemoglobin levels at target concentrations and was well tolerated in HD patients.

[Renal injury in Takayasu's arteritis]. / Atteinte rénale au cours de la maladie de Takayasu.

Renal involvement in Takayasu's arteritis is frequent and worsens the progression of the disease. This is primarily a renal artery stenosis causing renovascular hypertension. The glomerular disease is exceptional. This study was undertaken to determine the clinical, radiological, biological features and therapeutic response in patients with kidney disease associated with Takayasu arteritis. A retrospective chart review was conducted on 11 patients (five men and six females), with a mean age of 31.1 years (19-40 years). The discovery of kidney disease preceded the diagnosis of Takayasu's arteritis in eight cases. Ten patients developed hypertension. Laboratory finding showed proteinuria in five cases of which one case was due to nephrotic syndrome. Renal failure was found in six cases including four cases in stage of terminal chronic renal failure. Impairment of the renal artery was present in nine patients, proximal in seven cases and distal in two cases, bilateral in five cases and unilateral in four cases. Narrowing renal artery was found in seven cases. The renal biopsy revealed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in one case and nephrosclerosis in another case. Eleven patients were followed for an average period of 155 months (3-335 months). Remission of nephrotic syndrome was concomitant with the remission of the disease. Seven patients developed outbreaks of Takayasu's arteritis of which six were in care. Relapse of nephrotic syndrome was concomitant with the outbreak of the disease followed by spontaneous remission of both diseases. Improved pressure was obtained in 5 cases and worsening renal function in seven cases. Death was observed in two cases.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection following kidney transplantation.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Post-transplant tuberculosis (TB) is a problem in successful long-term outcome of renal transplantation recipients. Our objective was to describe the pattern and risk factors of TB infection and the prognosis in our transplant recipients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was a retrospective review of the records of 491 renal transplant recipients in our hospital during the period from January 1986 to December 2009. The demographic data, transplant characteristics, clinical manifestations, diagnostic criteria, treatment protocol, and long-term outcome of this cohort of patients were analyzed. RESULTS: 16 patients (3,2%) developed post-transplant TB with a mean age of 32,5 ± 12,7 (range: 13-60) years and a mean post-transplant period of 36,6 months (range: 12,3 months-15,9 years). The forms of the diseases were pulmonary in 10/16 (62,6%), disseminated in 3/16 (18,7%), and extrapulmonary in 3/16 (18,7%). Graft dysfunction was observed in 7 cases (43,7%) with tissue-proof acute rejection in 3 cases and loss of the graft in 4 cases. Hepatotoxicity developed in 3 patients (18,7%) during treatment. Recurrences were observed in 4 cases after early stop of treatment. Two patients (12.5%) died. CONCLUSION: Extra pulmonary and disseminated tuberculosis were observed in third of our patients. More than 9 months of treatment may be necessary to prevent recurrence.

Acute renal failure by ingestion of Euphorbia paralias.

Euphorbia paralias is known in traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent, a purgative and for its local anesthetic property. To the best our knowledge, renal toxicity of this substance has not been previously reported. In this paper, we report the case of a 29-year-old male who developed renal damage following ingestion of Euphorbia paralias. He had been on follow-up for nephrotic syndrome since 1986, although irregularly, with several relapses but each responding well to steroid therapy. A kidney biopsy had not been performed earlier due to refusal by the patient. He was off steroids since April 2008 because the patient developed osteoporosis. He was admitted with general malaise and oliguria to our department in May 2009, following repeated vomiting and watery diarrhea for three days. On examination, he was edematous but had normal vital signs except for a pulse rate of 120/min. Hemoglobin was only 5.5 g/dL but with normal white cell and platelet counts. Blood biochemistry showed evidence of advanced renal failure with a serum creatinine level of 1835 µmol/L and urea at 44.6 mmol/L, sodium of 132 µmol/L and potassium at 4.3 mmol/L. He had features of nephrotic syndrome with severe hypoproteinamia and 24-h urinary protein of 10.45 g. Ultrasonography revealed enlarged kidneys with a reduced echogenecity of the medulla and the papillae. Subsequently, after hemodialysis with blood transfusion, a kidney biopsy was performed that showed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis associated with an acute tubular injury. On intensive interrogation, the patient gave a history of ingesting boiled Euphorbia paralias as a native treatment for edema, ten days prior to the onset of the current illness. A diagnosis of acute renal failure (ARF) resulting from the possible nephrotoxic effect of Euphorbia paralias poisoning was made. He was treated with intermittent hemodialysis and corticosteroids. Serum creatinine values improved after 48 days. At six months following the intoxication, serum creatinine of the patient was 240 µmol/L. In cases of unexplained ARF, a toxic mechanism should always be considered and acute renal failure caused by Euphorbia paralias should be included as a cause if renal toxicity is suspected in those places where it is being used as a native medicine.

Short- and long-term outcomes of kidney donors: a report from Tunisia.

Kidney transplantation remains the best treatment option of end-stage renal disease. Kidney donations are of particular interest with the currently increasing practice of living-donor transplantation. The purpose of this study was to analyze retrospectively the general health status as well as renal and cardiovascular consequences of living-related kidney donation. A total of 549 living-related kidney donors had donated their kidneys between 1986 and 2007. We attempted to contact all donors to determine short- and long-term outcome following kidney donation. All kidney donors who responded underwent detailed clinical and biochemical evaluation. The data were compared with age-matched health tables of the Tunisian general population. In all, 284 donors (52%) had a complete evaluation. They included 117 men and 167 women with a mean age of 42 ± 12 years. The major peri-operative complications that occurred in these donors included four cases of pneumothorax, six cases of surgical site infection, one case of phlebitis and one case of pulmonary embolism. None of the study cases died. The median length of hospital stay after donor nephrectomy was 6.5 days (range: 3-28 days). The median follow-up period was eight years. The mean creatinine clearance after donation was 90.4 ± 25 mL/min in men and 81.5 ± 27.2 mL/min in women. Proteinuria was >300 mg/24 h in 17 cases (5.9%). Fifty-eight (20.4%) donors became hypertensive and 19.6% of the men and 37.2% of the women became obese. Diabetes mellitus developed in 24 (8.4%), and was more common in patients who had significant weight gain. Our study suggests that kidney donors have minimal adverse effects on overall health status. Regular follow-up identifies at-risk populations and potentially modifiable factors. Creation of a national registry of living donors and their monitoring are an absolute necessity.

[Acute tubular necrosis in kidney transplantation]. / La nécrose tubulaire aiguë en transplantation rénale.

BACKGROUND: The acute tubular necrosis (ATN) is common after kidney transplantation. Acute tubular necrosis (ATN) is multifactorial and represents one of the main causes of the delayed graft function. Its impact on graft and patients survival is documented. AIMS: To study the prevalence of the ATN in kidney transplanted patients, the acute rejection rate and their impact on the graft and the patient survival. METHODS: We retrospectively studied the frequency of ATN, its causes and its impact on patient and graft survival in 255 kidney transplanted patients between 1986-2006. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients had ATN (15.29%). They are 25 men and 14 women with mean age of 30.1 ± 12.6 years (8-61) followed for an average of 98 ± 61.76 months. The majority was treated by hemodialysis (79.48%) and half of them were transplanted from kidney of deceased donor. All patients received anti lymphocyte serum and the majority anticalcineurins (69.23%). The outcome was favorable in 26 patients (66.66%) with recovery of diuresis and normalization of renal function after 6 weeks on average. An acute rejection was diagnosed in 21 patients (53.48%). The mean creatinine at 1, 5 and 10 years was 135.3, 159.9 and 121.4 µmol / l. Eight patients had creatinine ² 130 µmol / l at 10 years. Ten patients died from infectious and cardiovascular causes. By comparing the 2 groups ATN + and ATN - we found a statistically significant correlation between ATN and cold ischemia (10 ± 10.9 vs 1.2 ± 4.7 hours, p <0.0001) and the interval between the start of dialysis and transplantation (42.18 ± 38.44 vs. 31.1 ± 25.2 months, p= 0.02). No statistical correlation was found between the ATN and gender, age of recipient and donor, warm ischemia, acute rejection, chronic rejection and graft and patient survival at 1, 5 and 10 years. CONCLUSION: The ATN is more common among transplanted patients from deceased donors. It had good evolution in the majority of cases and it's correlated to cold ischemia and duration of dialysis. Finally, it has no impact on patients and graft survival.

Microscopic polyangiitis: an unusual neurologic complication.

Microscopic polyangiitis is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis of the small vessels. Its typical clinical manifestations are rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and alveolar hemorrhage. We describe a 30-year-old woman with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Seven years later, she presented with partial loss of motor and sensory function in both lower limbs with sphincter dysfunction. This is the first reported case of epidural inflammation ascribed to microscopic polyangiitis. Possible mechanisms include auto-immune disease.

Vitamin A, E, B12, and folic acid in end-stage renal disease Tunisian patients: status and predictive value for overall mortality and cardiovascular events.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin status and role in end stage renal disease (ESRD) is controversial. This study was aimed at assessing vitamin A, E, B12, and folic acid status in Tunisian ESRD patients and testing their predictive value for overall mortality and cardiovascular events (CVE). METHODS: We examined plasma vitamin A, E, B12, and folic acid in 115 ESRD patients and looked for any correlation with all-cause mortality and CVE after a six year follow-up. Vitamin A and E were determined by HPLC and vitamin B12 and folic acid were determined by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: At enrolment, plasma vitamin A was higher in patients than controls, while plasma vitamin B12 was higher in HD patients. No significant differences were observed for plasma vitamin E and folic acid concentrations between patients and controls. Folic acid and vitamin B12 levels were higher in supplemented patients. During the follow-up period, 17 patients were lost, 15 died, and 36 presented a CVE. Survival analysis showed that mortality and/or CVE trend to be lower for high folic acid levels (Log Rank = 0.098). Cox's regression analysis showed that high levels of folic acid are inversely related to all-cause mortality and/or CVE [Hazard ratio (95% confidence interval), 0.255 (0.08 - 0.740); p = 0.012]. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma vitamins A, E, B12, and folic acid concentrations are usually normal in Tunisian ESRD patients. High folic acid levels are associated with fewer CVE and better survival. However, as uremia could be associated with functional vitamin deficiency, maintaining high plasma vitamin levels by adequate nutrition and tolerable supplementation would be beneficial in ESRD patients.

[A rare case of Graves' disease in a patient on regular haemodialysis]. / Un cas rare de maladie de Basedow chez un patient hémodialysé chronique.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Abnormal thyroid hormone production and metabolism are relatively common in chronic renal failure and in regular haemodialysis. Graves' disease is a very unusual condition and is difficult to identify. We report a case of Graves' disease in a patient on regular hemodialysis. CASE REPORT: A 26-year-old man undergoing regular hemodialysis from unknown chronic nephropathy since four years. The patient suffered from unexplained slimming and aggressiveness. On admission, he had an irritability, tremor of the extremities, arterial hypertension not controlled by the medical treatment, discrete asynergy oculo-palpebral, glare of the glance and protrusion of the ocular spheres. The thyroid was non palpable. Biological tests demonstrated hyperthyroidism. Thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibodies were positive. Thyroid echography and scintiscanning showed vascular and hyperfonctionnel character of the thyroid. The patient was treated radically by radioactive iodine 131 therapy after medical preparation by antithyroid agent. He developed hypothyroidism treated by substitutive treatment. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of Graves' disease must be evoked even in the absence of specific symptoms in haemodialysis patients. In front of clinical symptoms, since the conventional treatment is effective and inoffensive.

[Colic angiodysplasia and chronic haemodialysis. Argon plasma treatment. A case report]. / Angiodysplasie colique et hémodialyse chronique. Traitement par coagulation au plasma argon. A propos d'un cas.

INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal angiodysplasia is a very common cause of digestive haemorrhage among patients with chronic renal insufficiency. It is well known that bleeding from angiodysplasias can be a difficult therapeutic problem since therapeutic possibilities are scarce and surgery is scolded with high mortality rate. Endoscopic argon plasma ablation therapy is a new, effective and safe treatment in the management of gastrointestinal angiodysplasia. CASE REPORT: We reported a case of a female haemodialysis patient aged 40 years. She was haemodialysed since 6 years in our center from unknown nephropathy. In March 2006, she complained of black stools and melena, and developed severe anaemia (Haemoglobin at 4 g/dL). Exploratory endoscope examination of the digestive tract showed the presence of bleeding from angiodysplastic lesions of the right colon. The patient had severe clinical picture extension of angiodysplastic lesions and frequent bleeding episodes. Bleeding arrest was observed after argon plasma coagulation, with a significant decrease of blood transfusions and improvement of anaemia. CONCLUSION: Gastrointestinal angiodysplasia was reported to be an important complication in dialysis patients and was recognized as an important cause of erythropoietin-resistant anaemia. It can worsen vital prognosis. Argon plasma coagulation is an effective treatment in these patients.

Predictors for cardiovascular morbidity and overall mortality in Tunisian ESRD patients: a six year prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: The study was aimed to test the predictive value of several potential cardiovascular factors and markers for non fatal cardiovascular events (CVE) and overall mortality in Tunisian patients with renal failure. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifteen renal failure patients were followed-up from 2000 to 2006. At enrollment, each patient underwent clinical examination and blood collection for analysis of lipid parameters, albumin, C reactive protein (CRP), parathyroid hormone (PTH), homocysteine and hemoglobin. Multivariate Cox regression models were applied to identify the predictors for non fatal CVE and overall mortality. RESULTS: During the follow up, seventeen patients were lost. Among the 98 remaining patients, 29 presented a non fatal CVE (21.5%) and 15 were deceased (11.1%). In univariate analyses, non fatal CVE were more frequent in smokers and in patients with high PTH concentrations and low HDL levels. Moreover, low albumin concentrations were univariately associated with overall mortality. In the multivariate analysis, non fatal CVE was significantly and independently associated with age [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval), 1.04 (1.01-1.08); p=0.028] and the upper quartile of PTH concentrations [2.68 (1.24-5.81); p=0.013]. Overall mortality was independently predicted by the bottom quartile of albumin concentrations [5.62 (2.02-15.6); p=0.001] and the upper quartile of CRP concentrations [3.20 (1.14-8.79); p=0.027]. CONCLUSION: Advanced age and high PTH levels are the main predictors of CVE, whereas low albumin and high CRP concentrations are the independent predictors of death in Tunisian renal patients. A better control of these factors would greatly increase the patient's survival rates.

[Acute renal failure due to drugs in diabetics patients]. / Insuffisance rénale aigue d'origine médicamenteuse chez les diabétiques.

UNLABELLED: Acute renal failure (ARF) in patients with diabetes mellitus is frequent. It is caused by several factors notably drugs. Our retrospective study includes 20 cases of ARF induced by drugs in diabetic patients. Eleven men and 9 women with mean age of 55.2 years (17-71 years) were enrolled in the study. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was found in 18 cases and type 1 in 2 cases. Risk factors found are age more than 70 years in 17 cases, pre-existent renal failure in 17 cases, dehydratation in 6 cases, and drug association in 9 cases. In our study diuretics used solely or in association with other drugs were found to be the essential cause of ARF. ACE was noted in 5 cases, gentamycin in 2 cases, non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs in 1 case, colimycin in 1 case and radiographic contrast media in 4 cases. Symptoms of hypersensitivity are fever in 3 cases, itchiness in 2 case, hepatic dysfunction in 7 case, and hypereosinophilia in 3 cases. Oliguria was observed in 11 patients. Eight patients were dialyzed. Renal function recovery is total in 9 case and partial in 9 others. Two patients having oliguria died. CONCLUSION: Diuretics are the first cause of drug-induced ARF in diabetic patients. This ARF worsens the renal prognosis for these patients. Oliguria is high risk of mortality.

[Pulmonary hypertension in sickle cell anemia. A case report]. / L'hypertension artérielle pulmonaire dans la drépanocytose. A propos d'une observation.

We report the case of a 33-years-girl with SCA and severe PH. She developed six month before admission, non productive cough and dyspnea. Physical examination at admission revealed shortness of breath and right heart ventricular failure. Electrocardiography showed sinus rhythm and an incomplete left bundle branch block. Chest roentgenography revealed cardiomegaly with cardiothoracic index at 0.66 and pulmonary infiltrates. Laboratory tests revealed an anemia with hemoglobin of 7.1 g/dl, white blood cell count of 12,500/mm, moderate renal failure (cretininemia = 178 mumol/l) and hypoxemia with oxygen pressure of 60 mmHg. Hemoglobin electrophoresis revealed on heterozygous SCA. Echocardiography revealed dilatation of right heart cavities and a systolic pulmonary artery pressure of 60 mmHg. A perfusion lung scintigraphy demonstrated multiple subsegmental perfusion defects. PH is a common complication of adult patients with SCA. Appropriate therapies and strategies for prevention of PH in SCA are unknown. Further research exploring therapies such as oxygen, nitric oxide, prostacyclin and hydroxyurea are indicated.