The Effect of Preserved Residual Renal Function on Left Ventricular Structure in Non-Anuric Peritoneal Dialysis Patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Residual renal function (RRF) has been shown to influence survival of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. This study examined the relations between RRF and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) before switching on dialysis treatment and observed during 18 months on PD treatment. METHODS: A prospective longitudinal study was performed in 50 non-anuric (defined as >200 mL urine output in a 24-hour period) PD patients. Echocardiography, RRF and other known risk factors for the increase of LV mass index (LVMi) were determined at study baseline and the end of follow-up. RESULTS: There was 78% patients with LVH in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) baseline and 60% at the end of follow-up. RRF at the start of the study showed no significant difference between patients with normal and increased LVMi, as well as in daily collection of urine. After 18 months, patients with decreased LVMi had better RRF, lower CRP and better Kt/V compared to patients with increased LVMi (p < 0.001). Patients with better preserved RRF not only had significantly higher total Kt/V, but were less anemic and hypoproteinemic and lesser presence of LVH. CONCLUSIONS: PD in non-anuric ESRD patients the first 18 months has a positive effect on the preservation of RRF and partial regression of left ventricular remodeling.

Effect of mycophenolate mofetil on progression of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy after kidney transplantation: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic transplant dysfunction after kidney transplantation is a major reason of kidney graft loss and is caused by immunological and non-immunological factors. There is evidence that mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) may exert a positive effect on renal damage in addition to immunosuppression, by its direct antifibrotic properties. The aim of our study was to retrospectively investigate the role of MMF doses on progression of chronic allograft dysfunction and fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IF/TA). SETTING: Retrospective, cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with kidney transplant in a tertiary care institution. This is a retrospective cohort study that included 79 patients with kidney and kidney-pancreas transplantation. Immunosuppression consisted of anti-interleukin 2 antibody induction, MMF, a calcineurin inhibitor±steroids. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: An association of average MMF doses over 1 year post-transplant with progression of interstitial fibrosis (Δci), tubular atrophy (Δct) and estimated-creatinine clearance (eCrcl) at 1 year post-transplant was evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: A higher average MMF dose was significantly independently associated with better eCrcl at 1 year post-transplant (b=0.21±0.1, p=0.04). In multiple regression analysis lower Δci (b=-0.2±0.09, p=0.05) and Δct (b=-0.29±0.1, p=0.02) were independently associated with a greater average MMF dose. There was no correlation between average MMF doses and incidence of acute rejection (p=0.68). CONCLUSIONS: A higher average MMF dose over 1 year is associated with better renal function and slower progression of IF/TA, at least partly independent of its immunosuppressive effects.

Septic arthritis due to Streptococcus sanguis.

Septic arthritis may represent a direct invasion of joint space by various microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi. Although any infectious agent may cause bacterial arthritis, bacterial pathogens are the most significant because of their rapidly destructive nature. We present a case of septic arthritis in a 56-year old male patient due to Streptococcus viridans which is member of the viridans group streptococci. Patient was admitted to Our Hospital presented as fever of unknown origin, losing more than 30 kg of body weight during couple of months, and anemia of chronic disease as paraneoplastic process. He had long history of arterial hypertension and stroke. There was swelling and pain of the right sternoclavicular joint and precordial systolic murmur in physical status. A large diagnostic panel has been made, computerized tomography (CT) of right sternoclavicular joint showed widening of periarticular soft tissue and loss of clavicular corticalis. Cytologic analysis of synovial fluid showed more than 90% of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. There were no crystals on microscopic examination and Gram stain of fluid was negative. Blood cultures were positive for S. sanguis and there was a consideration about possible periodontal disease. Stomatologic examination verified periapical ostitis and extraction of potential cause of infection has been done. Therapy with benzilpenicilline was followed by the gradual improvement of clinical and laboratory parameters. Although viridans group streptococci and Streptococcus sanguis in particular are rare causes of septic arthritis in native joints, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of periodontal disease.

First documented case of BK nephropathy in kidney transplant recipient in Croatia: usage of urine cytology in evaluation process.

BK virus associated nephropathy (BKVAN) in transplanted kidney, although recognized as a distinct entity in the 1970-es, continues to represent a challenge in kidney transplantation, mainly because the optimal treatment approach has not been determined yet. The fact that about 10-20% of patients have simultaneously some stage of acute rejection, complicate the treatment even more. Herein we present a case of BK nephropathy in the patient, one year after combined liver and kidney transplantation, complicated by episode of acute T-cell mediated rejection. Identification of decoy cells by cytology urine exam in patient with acute kidney graft function deterioration, raised suspicion of BKVAN. Diagnosis has been made by histological examination and confirmed with immunohistochemical staining for BK virus in kidney graft biopsy. One month after he had been treated for BKVAN with intravenous immunoglobulin, leflunomide and overall immunosuppression therapy reduction, there was further deterioration of graft function due to an episode of acute T-cell mediated rejection (Banff classification IA). He received 500 mg of metilprednisolon intravenously and mycophenolate mofetil had been reintroduced, which resulted in slow partial recovery of the graft function, but never to the baseline values. For the past two years his renal graft function has been stable, maintaining lower levels of immunosuppressive therapy. According to our knowledge this is the first documented case of BK virus associated nephropathy, diagnosed and confirmed with immunohistochemical staining of tissue from kidney biopsy in Croatia.

[Chronic kidney disease and statins]. / Kronicna bolest bubrega i statini.

Dyslipidemia is a risk factor for de novo occurrence of renal disease in apparently healthy population, and diabetes, and contributes to progressive decline of renal function in diabetic and nondiabetic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease and dyslipidemia, frequently occurring together, are independent cardiovascular risk factors. There is a strong association between the level of renal insufficiency and cardiovascular disease. According to available evidence, statin therapy may reduce cardiovascular risk in chronic kidney disease as well as modify its course, especially in patients with moderate impairment of renal function. However, all these findings must be examined in large-scale trials in patients with chronic renal disease and different stages of renal insufficiency. There are several on-going trials aimed at determing the role of statin therapy in this specific population, and confirming its efficacy in reducing cardiovascular risk and halting the progression of chronic kidney disease.