Chronic Kidney Disease in Balkan Countries-A Call to Action for Timely Diagnosis and Monitoring.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious illness with important consequences for patients and health systems. Estimation of prevalence and incidence, especially in early stages, is difficult due to a lack of epidemiological studies and consolidated registries. In general, the disease awareness is low, and thus CKD is not timely diagnosed in most cases. Robust screening programs are not implemented in Eastern European countries. A panel consisting of Primary Care Physicians and Nephrologists from Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia virtually met in December 2021 to discuss current CKD awareness and diagnostic approaches in the Balkan area The meeting resulted in specific calls to action in the region to improve the number and quality of epidemiology studies and the level of awareness among patients and medical communities, as well as implementation of screening programs in high-risk populations. Collaboration between specialists was acknowledged as a crucial driver for optimal management of patients with CKD. Joint efforts are required to persuade healthcare authorities to establish specific policies for better care of kidney patients.

Oral mucosa and salivary findings in non-diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and dialysis treatment could affect oral mucosa and cause qualitative or quantitative changes of saliva. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate oral manifestations, unstimulated salivary flow rate (USFR), salivary pH value and biochemical composition of saliva in non-diabetic patients with CKD. DESIGN: The study group (PD) consisted of 50 pre-dialysis patients diagnosed with CKD, positive control group (HD) of 25 haemodialysis patients and negative control (H) of 25 age and gender-matched healthy persons. Creatinine clearance rate (CrCl) was calculated from the blood creatinine using the Cockcroft-Gault formula. After a detailed intraoral examination, whole unstimulated saliva samples were collected to determine salivary pH value, and biochemical composition using a spectrophotometric method. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed that PD subjects had more oral lesions (p < 0.05) and symptoms (p < 0.001) than controls. The mean CrCl was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in CKD subjects with pale mucosa, xerostomia, dysgeusia, and uremic odour, comparing to those without listed symptoms. PD subjects had significantly decreased USFR and increased pH, urea and creatinine than H controls (p < 0.05). A moderately strong positive correlation between serum and salivary creatinine in both PD (p < 0.05) and HD (p < 0.05) groups was found. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that xerostomia and dysgeusia are major symptoms among pre-dialysis patients. Their presence along with uremic odour and pale mucosa is directly related to decreased kidney function. On the diagnostic point, decreased USFR, especially hyposalivation and increased salivary creatinine, should be considered a significant indicator of CKD in stages before dialysis therapy.

The role of TNF-α superfamily members in immunopathogenesis of sepsis.

BACKGROUND: Members of TNFα superfamily, A proliferation inducing ligand (APRIL), B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and Transmembrane activator and calcium cyclophylin interactor (TACI) are main regulators of B-cell function. The aim of this study was to evaluate concentrations of APRIL, BAFF and soluble TACI (sTACI) receptor in septic patients compared to healthy controls and compare concentrations of these biomarkers depending on sepsis severity and outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 115 septic patients and 30 healthy volunteers were included and concentrations of APRIL, BAFF and sTACI were determined in all subjects at the admission (ELISA R&D Systems tests). Concentrations of these biomarkers in function of sepsis severity (sepsis n = 94 and septic shock n = 21) and outcome (lethal n = 40, recovery n = 75) were tested, as well as correlations with APACHE II and SOFA scores, immunoglobulins, complement, PCT and CRP concentrations. RESULTS: Concentrations of all three biomarkers were significantly increased in septic patients compared to controls (AUCAPRIL = 0.982, AUCBAFF = 0.873, AUCsTACI = 0.683). Higher concentrations of APRIL and sTACI (p = 0.033, p = 0.037), and lower concentrations of BAFF (p = 0.005) were observed in patients with septic shock compared to sepsis. BAFF concentrations correlated positively with IgM, C3 and C4 levels. sTACI and APRIL were shown to be predictors of lethal outcome (p = 0.003, p = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Concentrations of observedTNFα superfamily members are significantly increased in septic patients, confirming their role in sepsis pathogenesis.Higher concentrations of anti-inflammatory sTACI receptor correlated with severity of sepsis and poorer prognosis, thus potentially indicating domination of anti-inflammatory response in septic patients with worse outcome.

Interleukin-17A Levels Increase in Serum of Children With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the serum levels of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and analyze the correlation between IL-17A values and disease activity, certain clinical features, and laboratory markers of inflammation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 30 children (7 boys, 23 girls; mean age 8.8±5.3 years; range 1 to 18 years), who had been diagnosed with JIA (18 children were diagnosed during the study period and 12 children were diagnosed before the start of the study) and had active disease during the study period. Control group included 30 healthy, age- and sex- matched children (9 boys, 21 girls; mean age 8.3±4.8 years; range 1 to 18 years). The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to assess the serum IL-17A levels of children with JIA in the active phase of the disease and control group. Clinical and laboratory features of the disease were evaluated for the children with JIA. RESULTS: Serum levels of IL-17A in children with JIA were significantly higher in comparison to control group. In children with JIA who were prospectively monitored, statistically significantly decreased IL-17A level was recorded in the inactive phase of the disease. The incidence of arthritis of coxofemoral joints was significantly more common, and the mean levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein were significantly higher in the group of children with JIA with detectable levels of IL-17A. Children with JIA and detectable levels of IL-17A had significantly higher values of Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score-27 in comparison to children with JIA and non-detectable IL-17A. CONCLUSION: Assessment of serum IL-17A levels in early phases of JIA gives an opportunity for early detection of children that have higher risk for worse functional outcome.

Compliance with guidelines and predictors of mortality in hemodialysis. Learning from Serbia patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to determine the percentage of patients on regular hemodialysis (HD) in Serbia failing to meet KDOQI guidelines targets and find out factors associated with the risk of time to death and the association between guidelines adherence and patient outcome. METHODS: A cohort of 2153 patients on regular HD in 24 centers (55.7% of overall HD population) in Serbia were followed from January 2010 to December 2012. The percentage of patients failing to meet KDOQI guidelines targets of dialysis dose (Kt/V>1.2), hemoglobin (>110g/L), serum phosphorus (1.1-1.8mmol/L), calcium (2.1-2.4mmol/L) and iPTH (150-300pg/mL) was determined. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to select variables significantly associated with the risk of time to death. RESULTS: The patients were on regular HD for 5.3±5.3 years, dialyzed 11.8±1.9h/week. Kt/V<1.2 had 42.4% of patients, hemoglobin <110g/L had 66.1%, s-phosphorus <1.1mmol/L had 21.7% and >1.8mmol/L 28.6%, s-calcium <2.1mmol/L had 11.7% and >2.4mmol/L 25.3%, iPTH <150pg/mL had 40% and >300pg/mL 39.7% of patients. Using Cox model (adjustment for patient age, gender, duration of HD treatment) age, duration of HD treatment, hemoglobin, iPTH and diabetic nephropathy were selected as significant independent predictors of time to death. When targets of five examined parameters were included in Cox model, target for KtV, hemoglobin and iPTH were found to be significant independent predictors of time to death. CONCLUSION: Substantial proportion of patients examined failed to meet KDOQI guidelines targets. The relative risk of time to death was associated with being outside the targets for Kt/V, hemoglobin and iPTH.

COMPLETE CORRECTION OF ANEMIA WITH RECORMON® (ERYTHROPOIETIN ß) IN PATIENTS ON CHRONIC HEMODIALYSIS.

INTRODUCTION: Suboptimal correction of anemia is associated with increased prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and increased morbidity and mortality of pre-dialysis and dialysis patients. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of optimal vs. suboptimal correction of anemia in hemodialysis patients with left ventricular hypertrophy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 50 patients, 32 males and 18 females, their mean age being 49.4±11.8 years, from five hemodialysis centers (Clinical Hospital Center Zvezdara, Beograd, Clinical Center Novi Sad, hospitals in Krusevac, Pirot and Zrenjanin). The patients had suboptimal hemoglobin level in spite of therapy (7.8±3.8 g/dl). In addition, the most important inclusion criteria was the left ventricular mass index above 160 g/m2 and the primary efficacy parameter was a decrease in the left ventricular mass index during 12 month study period. RESULTS: During the study, the number of patients who reached their hemoglobin >12 g/dl increased and the target hemoglobin (12-13 g/dl) was achieved in 24 (52%) of patients at the end of the study. At the same time, the left ventricular mass index significantly decreased as compared with the initial values (p=0.014). The left ventricular mass index was not significantly decreased in the patients who did not achieve the target hemoglobin level (207±65 vs. 217±38 g, p=ns) as compared with the patients who achieved the target hemoglobin (179±32 g/ m2 vs. 197±38 g/m2, p=0.007). The left ventricular ejection fraction did not change significantly during the study period. CONCLUSION: Anemia correction with erythropoietin ß resulted in the significantly corrected left ventricular hypertrophy in hemodialysis patients who had had a suboptimal hemoglobin level. Our results have shown that correction of left ventricular hypertrophy

The influence of hyperprolactinemia on coagulation parameters in females with prolactinomas.

INTRODUCTION: Currently there is little information on the effects of prolactin (PRL) on the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of hypeprolactinemia on the parameters of the hemostatic system and activation of the coagulation system. METHODS: We studied PRL levels, body mass index (BMI), values of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), D-dimer level, von Willebrand factor antigen (vWFAg) and fibrinogen in 15 young female patients with microprolactinomas before and after therapy and in 15 healthy female controls. RESULTS: As expected, pretreatment PRL levels were significantly higher in patients than in controls (140.90 +/- 42.87 vs. 12.53 +/- 4.05 ng/ml; p < 0.001). PT, although still in the normal range, was prolonged in patients with hyperprolactinemia as compared to the control group (13.53 +/- 1.39 vs. 12.65 +/- 0.53 s; p = 0.03) and normalized after therapy (12.69 +/- 0.65 vs. 12.65 +/- 0.53 s; p = 0.88). TT, although in normal range, was significantly shorter in the hypeprolactinemic patients than in the controls (14.34 +/- 4.52 vs. 17.21 +/- 1.35 s; p < 0.025) and after treatment remained significantly shorter than in the controls (15.17 +/- 1.55 vs. 17.21 +/- 1.35 s; p < 0.0001). D-dimer values before treatment in the patients with hyperproplactinemia were above the normal range (239.47 +/- 107.93 vs. 131.27 +/- 50.64 ng/ml, p = 0.002) and decreased to normal values after therapy (239.47 +/- 107.93 vs. 146.60 +/- 39.15 ng/ml; p < 0.001). D-dimer levels correlated with PRL (r = 0.30) and the change in serum D-dimer values significantly correlated with the change in PRL levels during therapy (r = 0.62). aPTT, vWFAg and fibrinogen were similar in patients and controls. CONCLUSION: In our study, increased thrombin generation that resulted in elevated D-dimer levels may be one of the contributing factors to the prethrombotic state in patients with hyperprolactinemia.

[Etanercept therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: efficacy and safety].

INTRODUCTION: Etanercept, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) antagonist, lowers the disease activity level in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), reduces joint destruction saving physical functions and improving life quality. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to establish efficacy and safety of etanercept in combination with disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in the treatment of RA. METHODS: To patients with active RA, who were on therapy with DMARD, etanercept was introduced in weekly doses of 50 mg, with continuation of DMARD. Efficacy of this form of treatment was evaluated in the 12th week. Maintenance of the effect of treatment was also evaluated during 24, 48 and 96 weeks. Long-term evaluation of etanercept safety was assessed by registering all unwanted events during a two-year period. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of treatment with etanercept, 80% of patients had ACR20 response, while 85% showed clinically significant decrease of DAS28 index. We achieved remission in five patients (12.5%) and low activity of RA in 17 patients (42.5%). During a 96-week of follow-up period, achieved therapy effects were maintained. In four patients (10%) etanercept therapy was interrupted after 24 weeks because of inadequate response. In one of them (2.5%) we recorded a cardiovascular incident. Acute infections were registered in 47 cases. Four of those were severe infections. Neither cases of malignancy development were noted, nor were there any lethal disease outcomes. CONCLUSION: Etanercept in combination with DMARD shows a high level of efficacy in the treatment of RA. The safety profile of the drug is satisfactory.

Epidemiology of end-stage renal disease and hemodialysis treatment in Serbia at the turn of the millennium.

The study presents the epidemiological features of patients treated with renal replacement therapy (RRT) in Serbia from 1997 to 2009 and compares the results of hemodialysis treatment in 1999 and 2009. Epidemiological data were obtained from the National Registry of RRT patients and data on hemodialysis treatment from special surveys conducted in 1999 and 2009. Within the period 1997-2009 the incidence of patients on RRT increased from 108 to 179 per million population (pmp), prevalence rose from 435 to 699 pmp, while mortality rate fell from 20.7% to 16.7%. The frequency of patients with glomerulonephritis decreased, while that of patients with diabetes and hypertensive nephropathy increased. In late 2009 there were 5208 patients receiving RRT in Serbia. Within the examined period new hemodialysis and reverse osmosis equipment were purchased, high-flux dialyzers with synthetic membranes were increasingly used and the number of patients receiving hemodiafiltration increased to 17.6%. Kt/V greater than 1.2 was recorded in 16% of the patients in 1999 but 52% in 2009. Options for correction of anemia and mineral disorders have also improved. The percentage of patients with HbsAg (13.8% vs. 4.8%) as well as anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies positive patients (23.2% vs. 12.7%) was significantly lower in 2009 than in 1999. Both the incidence and prevalence of RRT patients in Serbia are rising continuously, while the mortality rate is falling. More favorable conditions for dialysis treatment have brought about significant improvement in the results over the last 10 years.

[Early continuous dialysis in acute glyphosate-surfactant poisoning].

INTRODUCTION: Treating severe acute glyphosate-surfactant poisoning requires intensive therapy including dialysis. Cases of hemoperfusion and hemodialysis use in renal failure induced by herbicide ingestion have been reported in the current medical literature. We present a case report of successful patient treatment with continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration in acute glyphosate-surfactant poisoning. CASE OUTLINE: A 36-year-old male patient attempted suicide by drinking approximately 300 ml of glyphosate-surfactant about an hour before coming to our Clinic. On admittance the patient was somnolent, normotensive, acidotic and hyperkalemic. Six hours after poison ingestion there was no positive response to symptomatic and supportive therapy measures. The patient became hypotensive, hypoxic with oliguric acute renal failure, so that post-dilution continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration was started. During the treatment the patient became hemodinamically stabile, diuresis was established along with electrolyte and acid-base status correction and a gradual decrease of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. After a single 27.5-hour treatment, clinical condition and renal function parameters did not require further dialysis. Complete recovery of renal function was achieved on the fifth day. CONCLUSION: Early introduction of continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration with other intensive therapy measures led to complete recovery in a hemodinamically instable patient.

Treatment of lupus nephritis by mycophenolate mofetil.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has been increasingly used for the treatment of lupus nephritis (LN). The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of MMF used with low doses of corticosteroids as maintenance therapy in patients with LN. METHODS: The study covered 35 patients, most of them with proliferative types of LN (5 WHO class III, 26 class IV), while 1 had class V and 3 class VI nephritis. MMF was administered in the dose of 1.5-2 g/24 h and prednisone at 10-20 mg/day. The treatment effects were followed over a 12-month period. RESULTS: After 3 months of therapy significant reduction in proteinuria was achieved (2.1 +/- 2.4 g/24 h vs. 1.0 +/- 1.0 g/24 h, p < 0.01) and maintained to the end of the study. In parallel, a significant rise in serum albumin, a fall of cholesterol and a significant increase in mean glomerular filtration rate were noted. Complete remission was achieved in 16 patients (45.7%), including all patients in class III and V plus 10 patients in class IV. Not a single adverse effect was observed. CONCLUSION: MMF combined with low doses of steroids is an effective and safe treatment for the maintenance of stable remission of LN.

Inherited thrombophilia is associated with pregnancy losses that occur after 12th gestational week in Serbian population.

Recurrent fetal loss (RFL) is a significant clinical problem, occurring in 1% to 5% of reproductive females. Inherited or acquired thrombophilia has been diagnosed in 50% to 65% of women with history of unexplained fetal loss. The objective of our study was to determine the prevalence of thrombophilia in women with unexplained RFL in Serbian population and to find out whether the presence of thrombophilia is associated with pregnancy losses that occur later than 12th gestational week. We have examined 147 women with unexplained RFL or intrauterine fetal death and 128 healthy women with at least 1 uncomplicated pregnancy. The antithrombin (AT), protein C (PC), protein S (PS), activated protein C (APC) resistance, factor V (FV) G1691A, factor II (FII) G20210A, and MTHFR C677T were determined. At least 1 inherited thrombophilic defect was found in 54 (36.7%) of 147 women with repeated fetal losses and in 11 (8.59%) of 128 controls (P < .001, OR 6.17, 95% CI 3.06-12.48). The most common thrombophilic abnormalities were homozygosity for MTHFR 677TT, FV Leiden, and FII G20210A. Deficiency of natural anticoagulants occurred in 10 patients, with protein S deficiency being the most frequent one. Thrombophilia was found in 46 of 94 women with RFL that occurred later than the 12th gestational week and in only 8 of 53 with RPL earlier than 12th week (P = .001). Our study has shown the association between the hereditary thrombophilia and RFL that occurred after the 12th gestational week in Serbian population.

[Recommendations for tuberculosis screening before and during treatment with tumour necrosis factor inhibitors].

Patients with an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, uveitis or psoriasis, and treated with the anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha inhibitors are at high risk of developing various infections including tuberculosis (TB). Serious infections are the result of the patients' immunocompromised status that is caused by the primary disease itself, as well as by previous immunosuppressive therapy. In order to decrease the risk of developing TB, prior to the introduction of the anti-TNF alpha therapy, all patients should undergo screening for TB. Experiences from the countries that have already implemented recommendations for TB screening show a significant decrease in TB occurrence in the anti-TNF alpha treated patients. The PPD skin test result is considered positive if in duration is of size > or =5 mm. The BCG vaccine applied at birth has no effect on interpretation of PPD test results in adults. The diagnosis of active TB is contraindicated for the introduction of the anti-TNF alpha therapy; first, such patients should receive the TB treatment; and 6 months after the completion of the TB treatment, the introduction of the anti-TNF alpha therapy may be considered. The patients with the diagnosis of the latent TB infection (LTBI) should not immediately start with the anti-TNF alpha therapy, but they should first receive the TB chemoprophylaxis; not earlier than a month upon the introduction of the TB chemoprophylaxis, the anti-TNF alpha therapy may be introduced. The first TB follow-up screening during the anti-TNF alpha therapy is recommended 6 months after the anti-TNF alpha therapy has been introduced and the next one should be scheduled after 12 months.

Mycophenolate mofetil in high-risk patients with primary glomerulonephritis: results of a 1-year prospective study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Glucocorticoids and classic immunosuppressive drugs can improve disease activity in primary glomerulonephritis (GN). However, these drugs have serious toxicity and patients frequently experience inadequate response or relapse, so there is a need for alternative agents. This multicenter uncontrolled study analyzed the efficacy and safety of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in high-risk patients with primary GN. METHODS: A total of 51 patients with biopsy-proven membranous (n = 12), membranoproliferative (n = 15), mesangioproliferative (n = 10), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (n = 13) and minimal change disease (n = 1) received MMF with low-dose corticosteroids for 1 year. The primary outcome included the number of patients with complete/partial remission. RESULTS: Proteinuria significantly decreased, from its median value of 4.9 g/day (IQR 2.9-8.4) to 1.28 g/day (IQR 0.5-2.9), p < 0.001. The urine protein/creatinine ratio significantly improved, from a median of 3.72 (IQR 2.13-6.48) to 0.84 (IQR 0.42-2.01), p < 0.001. The mean area under the curve for proteinuria significantly decreased, from 4.99 +/- 3.46 to 2.16 +/- 2.46, between the first (visits 1-2) and last (vists 4-5) treatment periods (p < 0.001). The change was similar for every type of GN, without difference between groups. eGFR slightly increased (62.1 +/- 31.8 to 65.3 +/- 31.8 ml/min, p = n.s.) and ESR, total proteins, albumins, total- and HDL-cholesterol parameters improved significantly. Systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure decreased (p < 0.02 for systolic blood pressure). The age of patients was the only independent predictor of complete or partial remission. CONCLUSION: MMF proved to be efficient in 70% of high-risk patients with primary GN, who reached either complete or partial remission without safety concern after 12 months of treatment. Favorable effects of MMF therapy have to be confirmed in the long term and particularly after discontinuation of the drug.

Autoantibodies in patients treated for active pulmonary tuberculosis.

The genesis of auto-immune antibodies directed against the own tissue antigens of a host may be due to the host's immune response to mycobacteria. The prospective study included 110 patients treated for active pulmonary tuberculosis and the control group of 60 healthy subjects, volontary blood donors. Applying the method of indirect immnunofluorescence and cryostat sections of rat organs and human larynx cancer epithelial cell line (HEp-2 cells), the prescence of the following autoantibodies in the serum of the examined patients was examined: anti,nclear (ANA), anticardiac (ACA), antimitochondrial (AMA), antiparietal (APA), anti smooth muscular (ASMA), antithyroidal (ATA), rheumnatoid factor (RF). These autoantibodies were determined in the course oftreatment and five years later. Low levels of some examined autoantibodies were detected in the serum of a number of the examined patients. No significant difference in the presence of the analysed antibodies was registered between the sexes. In the course of the treatment a reversible hyper-gammaglobulinemia developed, which was at least partially due to the presence of autoantibodies in the patients blood serum. Besides possibly involved mechanisms of molecular mimicry and polyclonal lymphocyte activation, the presence of antinuclear antibodies in the patient's serum is at least partially due to isoniazide treatment. The finding of other autoantibodies is nonspecific and not related to the mycobacterial infection or antituberculosis drug administration.

[Therapy of lupus nephritis with mycophenolate mofetil].

INTRODUCTION: Mycophenolate mofetil is an immunosuppressive agent used in transplantation and subsequently in a variety of autoimmune conditions. It inhibits both B and T lymphocyte proliferation, and also has nonimmune effects on the kidney. The major experience in systemic lupus erythematosus has focused on proliferative lupus nephritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our study we treated 8 female patients having proliferative lupus nephritis with combination therapy of prednisone (1 mg/kg body weight) and mycophenolate mofetil (2 g per day). Complete remission was defined as a value for urinary protein excretion that was less than 0.5 g per 24 hours, with normal urinary sediment, a normal serum albumin concentration and improved or stable serum creatinine. Partial remission was defined as a daily proteinuria below 2g in the previously nephrotic patient or minimum 30% from starting values, with normal urinary sediment, serum albumin of minimum 30 g/L and stable serum creatinine. RESULTS: Two patients had a complete remission after 7 and 2 months respectively. Five patients had a partial remission after 5.2 +/- 4.3 months of therapy. One patient did not react to therapy. There were no side effects during the course of therapy. DISCUSSION: Considering the fact that 7/8 patients have had nephrotic range proteinuria and that 50% of patients were refractory on standard induction therapy, the results of this study are a good indicator of value of mycophenolate mofetil in the therapy of proliferative forms of lupus nephritis. CONCLUSION: Mycophenolate mofetil has satisfactory results in the treatment of proliferative forms of lupus nephritis with minimal side effects.

Splenic peliosis in the course of IgA nephropathy.

The immunoglobulin A (IgA) immunoregulation disorders lie at the basis of Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis and IgA nephropathy. Peliosis is the condition characterized by cystic formations within the parenchyma of solid organs filled with blood. The authors report a case of a girl presenting with hematuria occurring during the course of respiratory infections since her fifth year. Pathohistological examination was not performed at that time. At the age of 13, the girl was hospitalized for abdominal pain. Computed tomography examination showed the presence of multiple, relatively well-defined nodular formations located in the spleen parenchyma. Splenectomy was performed. Morphological finding completely corresponded to peliosis of the spleen, with the deposits of IgA in the lesions within it. A year and a half following the splenectomy, a typical clinical picture of Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis developed. Biopsy findings of the skin and kidneys detected deposits of IgA. This is the first case of a patient suffering from associated IgA and Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis complicated by splenic peliosis to be described in the world's literature.

[Evaluation of effects of the intravenous cyclophosphamide treatment of primary glomerulonephritis and the estimation of complications].

INTRODUCTION: Primary glomerulonephritis can be treated by the intravenous use of cyclophosphamide. The aim of our study is to evaluate the effect of the drug in the treatment of mentioned diseases and the follow-up of complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There are 30 patients included in this study, mean-age of 46.83 years. Renal biopsy was performed in 25 patients. Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis was diagnosed in 36.67% of patients, mesangioproliferative in 16.67%, rapidly progressive in 13,33%, membranous in 10%, chronic in 10%, primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in 3,33% and 10% of patients were unclassified They have been treated with cyclophosphamide in intermittent "pulse" doses: once a month fbr the first 6 months and once in 3 months, for 18 months or longer, after that. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The drug was given in the recommended dose of 0.5-lg/m of body-surface area, in the combination with a low-dose corticosteroides. Hematological and renal fimnctional tests were checked before every "pulse" dose. Concerning the development of the renal ailure the fivorable effect occurred in 50% of patients. Proteinuria was found in all patients (80% >3.5 gr/24 h). The favorable effect occurred in 80% patients. At the end, serum proteins were normal in 76.67% patients. 30% of patients normalized the erythrocyte sedimentation level. Remission has not been achieved in 23.33% of patients, 10% of patients developed relapse. 20% of patients died infections were the most common complication and they occurred in 30% of patients. Sepsis, leucopenia, Herpes Zoster infection and hemorrhagic cystitis have not occurred in any patient. Malignant tumor was found in 6.67% of patients.

[Therapy of lupus nephritis with mycophenolate mofetil].

INTRODUCTION: Mycophenolate mofetil is an immunosupressive agent used in transplantation and subsequently in a variety of autoimmune conditions. It inhibits both B and T lymphocyte proliferation, and also has nonimmune effects on the kidney. The major experience in systemic lupus erythematosus has focused on proliferative lupus nephritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our study we treated 8 female patients with proliferative lupus nefritis with combination therapy of prednisone (1 mg/kg body weight) and mycophenolate mofetil (2 g per day). Complete remission was defined as a value for urinary protein excretion that was less than 0.5 g per 24 hours, with normal urinary sediment, a normal serum albumin concentration and improved or stable serum creatinine. Partial remission was defined as a daily proteinuria below 2 g in a previously nephrotic patient or minimum 30% from starting values, with normal urinary sediment, serum albumin of minimum 30 g/L and stable serum creatinine. RESULTS: Two patients had a complete remission after 7 and 2 months respectively. Five patients had a partial remission after 5.2+/-4.3 months of therapy. One patient did not react on therapy. There were no side effects during the course of therapy. DISCUSSION: Considering the fact that 7/8 patients have had nephrotic range proteinuria and that 50% of patients were refractory on standard induction therapy, results of this study are good indicator of value of mycophenolate mofetil in the terapy of proliferative forms of lupus nephritis. CONCLUSION: Mycophenolate mofetil gives satisfactory results in the treatment of proliferative forms of lupus nephritis with minimal side effects.