Brazilian Consortium for the Study on Renal Diseases Associated With COVID-19: A Multicentric Effort to Understand SARS-CoV-2-Related Nephropathy.

Kidney involvement appears to be frequent in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Despite this, information concerning renal involvement in COVID-19 is still scarce. Several mechanisms appear to be involved in the complex relationship between the virus and the kidney. Also, different morphological patterns have been described in the kidneys of patients with COVID-19. For some authors, however, this association may be just a coincidence. To investigate this issue, we propose assessing renal morphology associated with COVID-19 at the renal pathology reference center of federal university hospitals in Brazil. Data will come from a consortium involving 17 federal university hospitals belonging to Empresa Brasileira de Serviços Hospitalares (EBSERH) network, as well as some state hospitals and an autopsy center. All biopsies will be sent to the referral center for renal pathology of the EBSERH network. The data will include patients who had coronavirus disease, both alive and deceased, with or without pre-existing kidney disease. Kidney biopsies will be analyzed by light, fluorescence, and electron microscopy. Furthermore, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for various inflammatory cells (i.e., cells expressing CD3, CD20, CD4, CD8, CD138, CD68, and CD57) as well as angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) will be performed on paraffinized tissue sections. In addition to ultrastructural assays, in situ hybridization (ISH), IHC and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) will be used to detect Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in renal tissue. For the patients diagnosed with Collapsing Glomerulopathy, peripheral blood will be collected for apolipoprotein L-1 (APOL1) genotyping. For patients with thrombotic microangiopathy, thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13 (ADAMTS13), antiphospholipid, and complement panel will be performed. The setting of this study is Brazil, which is second behind the United States in highest confirmed cases and deaths. With this complete approach, we hope to help define the spectrum and impact, whether immediate or long-term, of kidney injury caused by SARS-CoV-2.

A Randomized Trial of Zoledronic Acid to Prevent Bone Loss in the First Year after Kidney Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Bone and mineral disorders commonly affect kidney transplant (KTx) recipients and have been associated with a high risk of fracture. Bisphosphonates may prevent or treat bone loss in such patients, but there is concern that these drugs might induce adynamic bone disease (ABD). METHODS: In an open label, randomized trial to assess the safety and efficacy of zoledronate for preventing bone loss in the first year after kidney transplant, we randomized 34 patients before transplant to receive zoledronate or no treatment. We used dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT), and bone biopsies to evaluate changes in bone in the 32 evaluable participants between the time of KTx and 12 months post-transplant. RESULTS: Both groups of patients experienced decreased bone turnover after KTx, but zoledronate itself did not affect this outcome. Unlike previous studies, DXA showed no post-transplant bone loss in either group; we instead observed an increase of bone mineral density in both lumbar spine and total hip sites, with a significant positive effect of zoledronate. However, bone biopsies showed post-transplant impairment of trabecular connectivity (and no benefit from zoledronate); HR-pQCT detected trabecular bone loss at the peripheral skeleton, which zoledronate partially attenuated. CONCLUSIONS: Current immunosuppressive regimens do not contribute to post-transplant central skeleton trabecular bone loss, and zoledronate does not induce ABD. Because fractures in transplant recipients are most commonly peripheral fractures, clinicians should consider bisphosphonate use in patients at high fracture risk who have evidence of significantly low bone mass at these sites at the time of KTx.

Efeito do ácido zoledrônico na perda óssea de pacientes submetidos a transplante renal: um estudo prospectivo e randomizado / A prospective and randomized trial of zoledronic acid to prevent bone loss in the first year after kidney transplantation

Distúrbios do metabolismo mineral e da remodelação óssea são complicações comuns que afetam pacientes após o transplante renal e representam importantes causas de morbidade e mortalidade. Estas alterações esqueléticas são resultantes de uma complexa interposição de fatores, incluindo uma resolução incompleta das alterações minerais e ósseas devido ao funcionamento deficiente do enxerto, a ação de drogas imunossupressoras e a presença de fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de osteoporose que acometem a população geral. Bisfosfonatos podem prevenir ou atenuar a perda óssea após o transplante renal. Receptores de transplante renal com doador vivo foram randomizados para tratamento com dose única de 5 mg de ácido zoledrônico após o transplante associado à suplementação de colecalciferol ou com apenas colecalciferol. Realizamos densitometrias (DXA), microtomografias (HRpQCT) e biópsias ósseas à época do transplante e ao final dos 12 meses do estudo, e avaliamos a correlação entre estas técnicas invasivas e não invasivas. Houve uma boa concordância entre a HR-pQCT e a biópsia óssea transilíaca com relação ao compartimento cortical. No osso trabecular, embora estatisticamente significantes e maiores do que as descritas na população geral, as correlações entre os dois métodos foram apenas de moderada intensidade. Os pacientes não perderam tanta massa óssea quanto era esperado. Houve um aumento da densidade mineral óssea (DMO) medida por DXA no fêmur total em ambos os grupos, mas na coluna lombar apenas nos pacientes que receberam ácido zoledrônico. Por HR-pQCT do rádio, observou-se que esta diferença de DMO em favor do grupo ácido zoledrônico foi evidenciada na região cortical. A análise histomorfométrica das biópsias ósseas demonstrou uma diminuição na porosidade e aumento da espessura cortical, mais evidente nos pacientes que receberam ácido zoledrônico. Os pacientes do grupo ácido zoledrônico apresentaram supressão dos parâmetros de formação e reabsorção...

Bone and mineral disorders occur frequently in kidney transplant recipients and are associated with a high risk of fracture, morbidity, and mortality. Post-transplantation bone disease results from the evolution of preexisting renal osteodystrophy, use of glucocorticoids and other immunosuppressive drugs and other risk factors for osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates may prevent or ameliorate the bone loss after kidney transplantation. We randomly assigned 34 new living-donor kidney recipients to either 5 mg of zoledronic acid plus cholecalciferol or cholecalciferol alone for 12 months. We obtained bone mineral density (BMD) by DXA, microcomputed tomography (HR-pQCT) and bone biopsies at the time of kidney transplant and after 12 months of protocol treatment. Correlations between invasive and noninvasive techniques that assesses trabecular and cortical bone microarchitecture were made. There was a good agreement between HR-pQCT and transiliac bone biopsies regarding cortical compartment. Conversely, in trabecular bone, despite being statistically significant and greater than that described for the general population, the correlations between both methods were modest. The expected decrease in BMD after kidney transplantation did not occurred. On the contrary, there was an increase in BMD at total femur in both groups, and at lumbar spine in the zoledronic acid group. HR-pQCT data showed that this gain of bone mass in zoledronic acid group was in cortical bone. The bone histomorphometric analysis demonstrated a decrease in cortical porosity and increase in cortical width, more evident in zoledronic acid group. Bone turnover markers decreased in both groups, however there was no risk of adynamic bone disease or mineralization defect with zoledronic acid. The benefits observed on cortical bone, combined with a favorable safety profile and the ability to prevent fractures suggest that there is still room for the use of bisphosphonates after...

[Vasculopathy in the kidney allograft at time of transplantation delays recovery of graft function after deceased-donor kidney transplantation]. / Alteracoes vasculares em rins de doadores falecidos retardam a recuperacao da funcao do enxerto apos o transplante renal.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of donor and recipient characteristics on duration of delayed graft function (DGF) and 1-year serum creatinine (SCr), as a surrogate endpoint for allograft survival. METHODS: We reviewed 120 first cadaver kidney transplants carried out consecutively at our center to examine the effect on 1-year SCr of the presence and duration of DGF. RESULTS: DGF rate was 68%, with a median duration of 12 days (range, 1-61). Forty-four (38%) patients presented DGF lasting 12 or more days (prolonged DGF group). Mean donor age was 43 ± 13 years, 37% had hypertension and in 59% the cause of brain death was cardiovascular accident. The mean cold ischemia time was 23 ± 5 hours. Twenty-seven (23%) donors were classified as expanded-criteria donors according to OPTN criteria. The mean recipient age was 51 ± 15 years. The recipients median time in dialysis was 43 months (range, 1-269) and 25% of them had panel reactive antibodies > 0%. Patients with prolonged DGF presented higher 1-year SCr in comparison with patients without DGF (1.7 vs. 1.3 mg/dL, respectively, p = 0.03). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the only significant factor contributing to the occurrence of prolonged DGF was the presence of vascular lesions in the kidney allograft at time of transplantation (HR 3.6, 95% CI 1.2-10.2; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The presence of vasculopathy in the kidney allograft at time of transplantation was identified as an important factor independently associated with prolonged DGF. Prolonged DGF negatively impacts 1-year graft function.

Alteracoes vasculares em rins de doadores falecidos retardam a recuperacao da funcao do enxerto apos o transplante renal / Vasculopathy in the kidney allograft at time of transplantation delays recovery of graft function after deceased-donor kidney transplantation

Objetivo: Analisar as características do doador de múltiplos órgãos, incidência e duração da função retardada do enxerto (FRE), e seu impacto na função renal no primeiro ano após o transplante. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo, unicêntrico, observacional, analisando os transplantes renais com doador falecido realizados em 2010 no nosso serviço. Resultados: A taxa de FRE foi de 68%, com mediana de duração de 12 dias (variação, 1-61 dias). Quarenta e quatro (38%) pacientes apresentaram FRE com 12 ou mais dias de duração (FRE prolongada). A idade média dos doadores foi de 43 ± 13 anos e 37% deles eram hipertensos. Em 59% dos doadores, a causa da morte foi acidente cerebrovascular, e o tempo de isquemia fria (TIF) médio foi de 23 ± 5 horas. Os receptores tinham idade média de 51 ± 15 anos, tempo em diálise de 43 meses (variação, 1-269) e 25% eram sensibilizados (PRA > 0%). No modelo de regressão logística multivariada, a presença de vasculopatia na biópsia de captação foi o único fator de risco independente para o desenvolvimento de FRE prolongada [OR 3,6 IC 95% (1,2-10,2), p = 0,02]. Os pacientes com FRE prolongada apresentaram pior função renal 1 ano após o transplante em comparação com os pacientes sem FRE (SCr 1,7 vs. 1,3 mg/dL, respectivamente, p = 0,03). Conclusão: A presença de vasculopatia na biópsia de captação foi identificada como fator de risco independente para o desenvolvimento de FRE prolongada. A FRE prolongada foi associada com pior função renal no 1º ano após o transplante. .

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of donor and recipient characteristics on duration of delayed graft function (DGF) and 1-year serum creatinine (SCr), as a surrogate endpoint for allograft survival. Methods: We reviewed 120 first cadaver kidney transplants carried out consecutively at our center to examine the effect on 1-year SCr of the presence and duration of DGF. Results: DGF rate was 68%, with a median duration of 12 days (range, 1-61). Forty-four (38%) patients presented DGF lasting 12 or more days (prolonged DGF group). Mean donor age was 43 ± 13 years, 37% had hypertension and in 59% the cause of brain death was cardiovascular accident. The mean cold ischemia time was 23 ± 5 hours. Twenty-seven (23%) donors were classified as expanded-criteria donors according to OPTN criteria. The mean recipient age was 51 ± 15 years. The recipients median time in dialysis was 43 months (range, 1-269) and 25% of them had panel reactive antibodies > 0%. Patients with prolonged DGF presented higher 1-year SCr in comparison with patients without DGF (1.7 vs. 1.3 mg/dL, respectively, p = 0.03). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the only significant factor contributing to the occurrence of prolonged DGF was the presence of vascular lesions in the kidney allograft at time of transplantation (HR 3.6, 95% CI 1.2-10.2; p = 0.02). Conclusion: The presence of vasculopathy in the kidney allograft at time of transplantation was identified as an important factor independently associated with prolonged DGF. Prolonged DGF negatively impacts 1-year graft function. .

Rejection-triggered haemophagocytic syndrome in renal transplantation successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin.

Haemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) is a rare and potentially lethal condition characterized by pancytopoenia, fever, organomegaly and widespread proliferation of macrophages phagocytosing blood elements. Among the triggers of this syndrome, excessive immunosuppression in a context of acute rejection has been rarely reported, although it might be underdiagnosed. Here, we report the case of a kidney transplant recipient with allograft dysfunction due to chronic antibody-mediated rejection treated with antithymocyte globulin and plasmapheresis. The patient developed high fever, pancytopoenia, diarrhoea and respiratory symptoms with no apparent infectious or neoplastic cause, despite an extensive work-up. Haemophagocytosis was found in bone marrow examination, along with hyperferritinaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia. The clinical profile improved after treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and reduction of the basal immunosuppression.

[Ten-year follow-up of kidney transplantation with living unrelated donor]. / Análise de 10 anos de seguimento de transplantesrenais com doador vivo não aparentado.

INTRODUCTION: In the current era of scarcity of kidneys available for transplantation, and chronic anti-HLA-mediated rejection as a main cause of graft loss, continuous demonstration of the long-term survival of grafts from living unrelated kidney donors (LURD) is paramount. OBJECTIVE: Analyze long-term kidney graft and patient outcomes using LURD, and compare them with living related donors (LRD). METHODS: We analyzed the 389 first renal transplantations performed with a living donor (281 LRD and 108 LURD), in a single center, from January 1998 through December 2007. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between LRD and LURD as refers to patient survival (89.1% vs. 84.7%, p = 0.40, respectively) and graft survival (81.1% vs. 68.9%, p = 0.77, respectively), 10 years post-transplantation. On Cox proportional regression model of multivariate analysis, panel reactive antibodies (PRA) > 10% and the occurrence of acute rejection in the first year posttransplantation were the only independent predictors of graft loss (HR 2.54, 95% CI 1.35 -4.78; p < 0.05 and HR 4.1, 95% CI 2.04 - 4.78; p < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: LURD are an important source of organs for renal transplantation, with results similar to those obtained with LRD, regardless of HLA matching.

Análise de 10 anos de seguimento de transplantesrenais com doador vivo não aparentado / Ten-year follow-up of kidney transplantation with living unrelated donor

INTRODUÇÃO: No contexto atual da elevada escassez de órgãos para o transplante renal e do reconhecimento cada vez maior da rejeição crônica mediada por anticorpos anti-HLA como uma importante causa de perda do enxerto, uma contínua demonstração da boa evolução a longo prazo de transplantes renais com doadores vivos não aparentados (DVNA) é de suma importância. OBJETIVOS: Analisar a sobrevida do enxerto e dos pacientes transplantados com DVNA, e compará-la com doadores vivos aparentados (DVA). MÉTODOS: Foram analisados 389 primeiros transplantes renais com doador vivo realizados em um único centro, entre janeiro de 1998 e dezembro de 2007, 281 com DVA e 108 com DVNA. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença significativa na sobrevida dos pacientes (89,1 por cento vs. 84,7 por cento, p = 0,40) e do enxerto (81,1 por cento vs. 68,9 por cento, p = 0,77), em 10 anos de seguimento, entre DVA e DVNA, respectivamente. Na análise multivariada do modelo de regressão proporcional de Cox, a reatividade contra painel (PRA) > 10 por cento e a ocorrência de rejeição aguda no 1º ano após o transplante foram os únicos preditores independentes de perda do enxerto (OR 2,54, IC 95 por cento 1,35 - 4,78; p < 0,05 e OR 4,1, IC 95 por cento 2,04 -4,78; p < 0,05, respectivamente). CONCLUSÃO: Transplantes renais com DVNA representam uma importante fonte de órgãos para suprir uma crescente demanda, com resultados semelhantes aos transplantes com DVA, independente da compatibilidade HLA.

INTRODUCTION: In the current era of scarcity of kidneys available for transplantation, and chronic anti-HLA-mediated rejection as a main cause of graft loss, continuous demonstration of the long-term survival of grafts from living unrelated kidney donors (LURD) is paramount. OBJECTIVE: Analyze long-term kidney graft and patient outcomes using LURD, and compare them with living related donors (LRD). METHODS: We analyzed the 389 first renal transplantations performed with a living donor (281 LRD and 108 LURD), in a single center, from January 1998 through December 2007. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between LRD and LURD as refers to patient survival (89.1 percent vs. 84.7 percent, p = 0.40, respectively) and graft survival (81.1 percent vs. 68.9 percent, p = 0.77, respectively), 10 years post-transplantation. On Cox proportional regression model of multivariate analysis, panel reactive antibodies (PRA) > 10 percent and the occurrence of acute rejection in the first year posttransplantation were the only independent predictors of graft loss (HR 2.54, 95 percent CI 1.35 -4.78; p < 0.05 and HR 4.1, 95 percent CI 2.04 - 4.78; p < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: LURD are an important source of organs for renal transplantation, with results similar to those obtained with LRD, regardless of HLA matching.

Electrolyte disturbances and acute kidney injury induced by imatinib therapy.

Imatinib mesylate is an anticancer agent that selectively inhibits protein kinases involved in the pathophysiology of cancer. It is now the first-line therapy for patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and is generally well tolerated. Here, we describe a case of a patient receiving imatinib for CML. The patient developed renal failure accompanied by severe hypophosphataemia, hypokalaemia and hypomagnesaemia. We discuss the pathophysiological characteristics of imatinib-induced renal injury, and we demonstrate that these electrolyte disturbances were caused by increased urinary excretion of phosphate and potassium. Early diagnosis and correction of imatinib-induced renal injury and electrolyte disorders can improve clinical outcomes.

[Hemophagocytic Syndrome: a clinical presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus]. / Síndrome hemofagocítica uma apresentação inicial do lúpus eritematoso sistêmico.

Hemophagocytic Syndrome is a clinical condition characterized by the activation of either macrophages or histiocytes with a prominent hemophagocytosis feature in the bone marrow and other reticuloendothelial systems. It leads to the phagocytosis of erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, and their precursors. The presence of hemophagocytosis can be associated to infections, malignancies, autoimmune diseases, drugs and a variety of other medical conditions. We report a case of a previously healthy 23 year-old woman that developed hemophagocytosis at the same time that she fulfilled diagnostic criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus-related hemophagocytic syndrome is a rare and potentially fatal entity. It offers significant differential diagnosis challenges and requires urgent therapeutic intervention. There are only few cases reported in the literature. In this article, we briefly reviewed what is currently known about this syndrome. However, much is still needed in order to better understand its causes, all the immunopathogenic mechanisms, as well as its clinical aspects.