Questioning the Status Quo: Should Gleason Grade Group 1 Prostate Cancer be Considered a "Negative Core" in Pre-Radical Prostatectomy Risk Nomograms? An International Multicenter Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of excluding Gleason Grade Group 1 (GG1) prostate cancer (CaP) cores from current pre-radical prostatectomy (RP) nomograms. METHODS: Multi-institutional retrospective chart review was performed on all RP patients with prostate biopsy between 2008 and 2018. Patients were individually assessed using the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and Briganti nomograms using the following iterations: (1) Original [ORIG] - all available core data and (2) Selective [SEL] - GG1 cores considered negative. Nomogram outcomes - lymph node invasion (LNI), extracapsular extension (ECE), organ-confined disease (OCD), seminal vesicle invasion (SVI), were compared across iterations and stratified based on biopsy GG. Clinically significant impact on management (CSIM) was defined as change in LNI risk above or below 2% or 5% (Δ2/Δ5). Nomogram outcomes were validated with RP pathology. RESULTS: 7718 men met inclusion criteria. In men with GG2 who also had GG1 cores, SEL better predicted LNI (MSKCC - ORIG 4.97% vs SEL 3.50%; Briganti - ORIG 4.81% vs SEL 2.49%, RP outcome 2.46%), OCD (MSKCC - ORIG 40.91% vs SEL 48.44%, RP outcome: 68.46%) and ECE (MSKCC - ORIG 57.87% vs SEL 50.38%, RP outcome: 30.41%), but not SVI (MSKCC - ORIG 5.42% vs SEL 3.34%, RP outcome: 5.62%). This was also consistent in patients with GG3-5 disease. The greatest CSIM was on GG1-2 CaP; Δ2 and Δ5 in GG1 patients was 26.3%-31.0% and 1.5%-5.2%, respectively, and Δ2 and Δ5 in GG2 patients was 3.4%-22.2% and 12.3%-13.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Excluding GG1 CaP cores from pre-RP nomograms better predicts final RP pathologic outcomes. More importantly, this may better reflect extent of true cancer burden.

Incidence and treatment of malignant tumors of the genitourinary tract in renal transplant recipients

ABSTRACT Purpose: To provide data of the incidence and management of common urological malignancies in renal transplant recipients. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospective database from August 1967 to August 2015. A descriptive analysis of the sample was performed. Results: Among 1256 consecutive RTR a total of 88 patients developed malignancies (7%). There were 18 genitourinary tumors in the 16 patients (20.45 % of all malignant neoplasms), incidence of 1.27%. The most common neoplasm encounter was renal cancer (38.8%), followed by urothelial carcinoma (33.3%). Median follow-up of transplantation was 197 months (R, 36-336). Mean time from RT to cancer diagnosis 89±70 months (R, 12-276). CsA and AZA was the most common immunosuppression regimen in 68.75%. Mean follow-up after diagnosis was 103±72 months (R 10-215). Recurrence free survival rate of 100%. Overall survival of 89.5% of the sample; there were two non-related cancer deaths during follow-up. Conclusions: The incidence of neoplasms in RTR was lower than in other series, with favorable functional and oncologic results after treatment. This suggests that actions to reduce the risk of these malignancies as well as a strict follow-up are mandatory for an early detection and treatment.

Incidence and treatment of malignant tumors of the genitourinary tract in renal transplant recipients.

PURPOSE: To provide data of the incidence and management of common urological malignancies in renal transplant recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospective database from August 1967 to August 2015. A descriptive analysis of the sample was performed. RESULTS: Among 1256 consecutive RTR a total of 88 patients developed malignancies (7%). There were 18 genitourinary tumors in the 16 patients (20.45% of all malignant neoplasms), incidence of 1.27%. The most common neoplasm encounter was renal cancer (38.8%), followed by urothelial carcinoma (33.3%). Median follow up of transplantation was 197 months (R, 36-336). Mean time from RT to cancer diagnosis 89±70 months (R, 12-276). CsA and AZA was the most common immunosuppression regimen in 68.75%. Mean follow-up after diagnosis was 103±72 months (R 10-215). Recurrence free survival rate of 100%. Overall survival of 89.5% of the sample; there were two non-related cancer deaths during follow up. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of neoplasms in RTR was lower than in other series, with favorable functional and oncologic results after treatment. This suggests that actions to reduce the risk of these malignancies as well as a strict follow-up are mandatory for an early detection and treatment.

Prevalence and variables associated with an abnormal ankle-brachial index among patients with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Objectives The longer survival of patients with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and the introduction of the highly active antiretroviral therapy have increased the number of chronic conditions; among these, cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study is to determine patient, disease, and factors associated with peripheral arterial disease in a population of patients with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Methods A prospective nested case-control study of a cohort of patients with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome was conducted in a tertiary medical center in Mexico City. A sample size of 206 patients was calculated. Medical history, relevant laboratory data, peripheral arterial exam, and screening ankle-brachial index tests were obtained. Results The prevalence of abnormal ankle-brachial indexes was 20% (42 patients). Patient's mean age was 44 years ±13. The majority (98.5%) were actively receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy; active smoking was reported in 55 (27%), arterial hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus were found in 24 (12%) and 22 (11%) patients. Median time from the human immunodeficiency virus diagnosis was eight years (Interquartile range ±11); the mean CD4 count was 481, with a mean viral load of 13,557 copies (SD ± 69025.27) and 1889.18 (SD ± 9052.77) for patients with normal and abnormal ankle-brachial index and a median of 40 (IQ ± 2). Viral load ( p = 0.04) and number of years with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome ( p = 0.04) were significantly associated with abnormal ankle-brachial indexes. Conclusions Abnormal ankle-brachial index seems to be more frequent in Mexican patients with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome when compared with the general population at the same age. The most important factors associated with arterial disease were the viral load and the number of years with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02264509.

The correlation between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction (ED): results from a survey in males from Mexico City (MexiLUTS).

INTRODUCTION: ED and LUTS affect a high proportion of male population. Although Hispanics are suspected to have a higher risk of experiencing LUTS, detailed information on its frequency and association with ED in this population is scarce. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of LUTS and ED, and its correlation in Mexican males. METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical survey was answered by 1041 men. It included the International Prostate Symptom Score and the quality of life question (IPSS/QoL); International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5); the short form of the International Consultation of Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ-SF); and demographic data. For the analysis, we divided our population into 2 groups (18-39 and 40 and older), and then an exploratory correlation analysis was performed to search for significant differences among IPSS severity groups, and finally a multivariate regression model was applied. RESULTS: Mean age was 48.6 ± 14.5 years. One hundred twenty-three individuals (11.8 %) were asymptomatic, and 611 (58.7 %) had mild, 226 (21.7 %) had moderate, and 81 (7.8 %) had severe IPSS score. The most common symptoms were nocturia (72.4 %), increased urinary frequency (58.3 %), and slow urinary stream (42.6 %). Two hundred fifty-eight (24.7 %) complained of incontinence. Of 765 individuals, 484(63.2 %) reported some degree of ED. Severe LUTS, DM, and age were independent risk factors for ED severity. CONCLUSION: LUTS and ED may represent one of the largest sources of morbidity in our population, and their association was demonstrated. Awareness on these entities should be raised, and further research is required to determine the higher frequency of LUTS and ED in Hispanics.

Genetic variations in toll-like receptor 4 in Mexican-Mestizo patients with intra-abdominal infection and/or pneumonia.

Sepsis is a leading cause of death around the world, and 73-83% of all sepsis cases requiring attention in intensive care units are linked to intra-abdominal infection (IAI) or pneumonia. The activation of innate immunity is central to the manifestation of sepsis, and toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 plays an important role in this activation process. The 299G and 399I alleles of TLR4 have been linked with an increased risk of Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) infections and septic shock in some populations. This case-control study evaluated the prevalence of D299G/T399I polymorphisms in Mexican patients with IAI and/or pneumonia and in healthy controls. Genotyping revealed that 1 in 44 patients (2.3%; CI 95%: 0.05-12.0%) and 4 in 126 controls (3.2%; CI 95%: 0.9-7.9%) were heterozygous for both the D299G and T399l polymorphisms (OR: 0.71, CI 95%: 0.01-7.44, p = NS), confirming the co-segregation of these alleles in this population. Furthermore, the patients with a GNB infection and severe sepsis were not carriers of the risk alleles. In summary, this report shows that the frequency of the D299G and T399I polymorphisms in Mexican-Mestizos is lower than anticipated in comparison with other ethnic groups, emphasizing the variable distribution of TLR4 polymorphisms among different populations. Consequently, this study was not able to detect associations between TLR4 polymorphisms and sepsis in this population.

Concordance between two enzyme immunoassays for the detection of Clostridium difficile toxins.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The diagnosis of Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) is based on the detection of toxins from stool samples. There are several immunoassays for this purpose. The aim of this study was to determine the concordance between the two immunoassays and their performance in comparison to the toxigenic culture as part of the initial evaluation of a suspected case of CDAD. METHODS: All fecal samples submitted for detection of C. difficile toxins during a 5-month period to our laboratory were analyzed by two immunoassays, VIDAS Toxin CDA/B assay (BioMerieux) and ImmunoCard Toxins A/B (Meridian Bioscience). We cultured on cycloserine-cefoxitin-fructose agar and PCR was used for detection of toxigenic genes. Real-time PCR was performed directly from samples to detect the tcdC gene. RESULTS: At the end of the study we processed 230 samples, 13 were positive using VIDAS CDA/B (5.6%), and 14 using ImmunoCard A/B (6.0%); kappa coefficient was 0.857. With ImmunoCard A/B we obtained a sensitivity of 80%, a specificity of 99%, positive predictive value (PPV) 86% and negative predictive value (NPV) 98%, as compared to toxigenic culture. For VIDAS CDA/B we obtained a sensitivity of 90%, a specificity of 98%, PPV 69% and NPV 99%, compared to the same standard. There were seven undetermined results (3.0%) by VIDAS CDA/B. Five of these had a positive culture and all the patients had symptoms of CDAD. Considering these undetermined results as positive, we calculated a sensitivity of 93%, specificity of 97%, PPV 71% and NPV of 99% for this test, and a kappa of 0.856. Both immunoassays showed similar results and are suitable for the initial evaluation of patients with suspected CDAD. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that an undetermined result of VIDAS CDA/B should be considered as positive if CDAD is suspected. Additionally, both immunoassays showed similar results and are suitable for the initial evaluation of patients with suspected CDAD.