Albumin-to-protein ratio in spot urine samples for analysis of proteinuria selectivity in chronic kidney disease / Razão albumina/proteína em amostras isoladas de urina para análise da seletividade de proteinúria na doença renal crônica

ABSTRACT Introduction: The albumin-to-creatinine ratio and total protein-to-creatinine ratio in spot urine samples have already been validated as surrogates for 24-hour albuminuria and proteinuria measurements. Thus, we hypothesized that the type of proteinuria, detected by the electrophoretic pattern of 24-hour urine, could be predicted by the simple proportion of albumin in the total urine protein content, using the albumin-to-protein ratio (APR). Our study sought to validate the use of APR as a cheaper substitute for urinary protein electrophoresis (UPE). Methods: Using different mathematical models, we compared, the albumin fraction in 24-hour urine samples by electrophoresis and the APR ratio in spot samples from 42 outpatients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Results: A strong log-order correlation r = 0.84 (0.75-0.92; 95% CI, p = 0.001) was observed between APR and the albumin fraction in the UPE. Conclusion: The APR can substitute electrophoresis in CKD outpatients.

Resumo Introdução: A utilização da razão albumina/creatinina e da razão proteína total/creatinina em amostras isoladas de urina já foram validadas como substitutos para a albuminúria e proteinúria em 24 horas. Assim, nossa hipótese é que o tipo de proteinúria, dado pelo padrão eletroforético da urina de 24 horas, poderia ser previsto pela simples proporção de albumina no conteúdo total de proteínas na urina, utilizando a razão albumina/proteína (RAP). O presente estudo procurou validar o uso da RAP como um substituto mais prático e de menor custo da eletroforese de proteínas urinárias (EPU). Métodos: Foram utilizados diferentes modelos matemáticos a fim de comparar a fração de albumina pela eletroforese em amostras de urina de 24 horas e a RAP em amostras isoladas em 42 pacientes ambulatoriais com doença renal crônica. Resultados: Foi observada uma forte correlação logarítmica r = 0,84 (0,75-0,92; 95% CI, p = 0,001) entre a RAP e a fração de albumina pela EPU. Conclusão: A RAP pode substituir a eletroforese urinária em pacientes renais crônicos ambulatoriais.

Albumin-to-protein ratio in spot urine samples for analysis of proteinuria selectivity in chronic kidney disease.

INTRODUCTION: The albumin-to-creatinine ratio and total protein-to-creatinine ratio in spot urine samples have already been validated as surrogates for 24-hour albuminuria and proteinuria measurements. Thus, we hypothesized that the type of proteinuria, detected by the electrophoretic pattern of 24-hour urine, could be predicted by the simple proportion of albumin in the total urine protein content, using the albumin-to-protein ratio (APR). Our study sought to validate the use of APR as a cheaper substitute for urinary protein electrophoresis (UPE). METHODS: Using different mathematical models, we compared, the albumin fraction in 24-hour urine samples by electrophoresis and the APR ratio in spot samples from 42 outpatients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). RESULTS: A strong log-order correlation r = 0.84 (0.75-0.92; 95% CI, p = 0.001) was observed between APR and the albumin fraction in the UPE. CONCLUSION: The APR can substitute electrophoresis in CKD outpatients.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in adults: A key issue in the COVID-19 era.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a syndrome characterized by persistent activation of the mononuclear phagocytic system, systemic inflammation, and hypercytokinaemia, which can lead to liver failure, "sepsis-like syndrome" and ultimately, to multiple organ failure and death. These disorders can be divided into primary and secondary (or reactive), the first, also known as familial HLH, is a genetic condition of childhood, which affects the function of TCD8 and NK cells, and usually presents in the first year of life. The secondary HLH affects mainly adults and adolescents and, it's more related to dysregulation of the immune system. In face of the COVID-19 pandemic and several reports of HLH by SARS-CoV-2, it is necessary to discuss the pathophysiology of HLH in adults more clearly. Thus, we present, for the first time, a didactic approach using illustrations and tables, compiling the most recent and relevant information to better understand this entity.

Em tempos de COVID: A Ciência, a Ética e a Medicina são indissolúveis! E nunca é demais repetir / In times of COVID: Science, Ethics and Medicine are indissoluble! And it never hurts to repeat

A pandemia provocada pelo vírus Sars-CoV-2 não só aproximou o público leigo do meio acadêmico-médico, mas também pressionou médicos, pesquisadores e estadistas por resultados rápidos a fim de contê-la. É nesse ambiente de incerteza e necessidade de produção cientifica rápida, que devemos lembrar que o progresso não é a qualquer custo, deve-se agir com cautela, afinal a Ciência, a Ética e a Medicina são indissolúveis!

The pandemic caused by the Sars-CoV-2 virus not only brought the lay public closer to the academic-medical environment, but also put pressure on doctors, researchers and statesmen for quick results in order to contain it. It is in this environment of uncertainty and the need for rapid scientific production, that we must remember that progress is not at any cost, one must act with caution, after all Science, Ethics and Medicine are indissoluble!

Laboratory findings in SARS-CoV-2 infections: State of the art.

OBJECTIVE: The scientific community is constantly assessing the clinical and laboratory manifestations of COVID-19 in the organism. In view of the fragmentation of the large amount of information, knowledge gaps in relation to laboratory markers, and scarcity of papers in Portuguese, we propose a Literature review on laboratory changes observed in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: Analysis of articles published between December 2019 and May 2020 on the PubMed and SciELO databases. The articles were identified, filtered, and evaluated based on the approach to the subject, language, and impact. Then, the articles were subjected to a thorough reading, in full, by 4 (four) independent researchers. RESULTS: Leukopenia and lymphopenia were included in most studies, even in case definitions. Platelet count and platelet-lymphocyte ratio, at peak platelet, were associated with advanced age and longer hospital stay. Eosinopenia showed a sensitivity of 74.7% and specificity of 68.7% and, together with increased CRP, these are one of the future prospects for screening for disease. A high level of procalcitonin may indicate bacterial co-infection, leading to a worse prognosis. COVID-19 manifests itself with increased levels of many inflammatory markers such as IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-7, IL-12, IP10, IFN-γ, MIP1A, MCP1, GSCF, TNF-α, and MCP1/CCL2, as well as LDH, ESR, D-dimer, CK, ALT, and AST. CONCLUSION: There is a need for further studies on the new SARS-CoV-2. So far, there is no consensus regarding laboratory findings and their usefulness, whether as a prognostic marker, mortality, or disease severity.

Laboratory findings in SARS-CoV-2 infections: State of the art

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE The scientific community is constantly assessing the clinical and laboratory manifestations of COVID-19 in the organism. In view of the fragmentation of the large amount of information, knowledge gaps in relation to laboratory markers, and scarcity of papers in Portuguese, we propose a Literature review on laboratory changes observed in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. METHODS Analysis of articles published between December 2019 and May 2020 on the PubMed and SciELO databases. The articles were identified, filtered, and evaluated based on the approach to the subject, language, and impact. Then, the articles were subjected to a thorough reading, in full, by 4 (four) independent researchers. RESULTS Leukopenia and lymphopenia were included in most studies, even in case definitions. Platelet count and platelet-lymphocyte ratio, at peak platelet, were associated with advanced age and longer hospital stay. Eosinopenia showed a sensitivity of 74.7% and specificity of 68.7% and, together with increased CRP, these are one of the future prospects for screening for disease. A high level of procalcitonin may indicate bacterial co-infection, leading to a worse prognosis. COVID-19 manifests itself with increased levels of many inflammatory markers such as IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-7, IL-12, IP10, IFN-γ, MIP1A, MCP1, GSCF, TNF-α, and MCP1/CCL2, as well as LDH, ESR, D-dimer, CK, ALT, and AST. CONCLUSION There is a need for further studies on the new SARS-CoV-2. So far, there is no consensus regarding laboratory findings and their usefulness, whether as a prognostic marker, mortality, or disease severity.

RESUMO OBJETIVO A comunidade científica avalia a todo momento, as manifestações clínicas e laboratoriais da COVID-19 no organismo e, em vista da fragmentação da grande quantidade de informações, lacunas de conhecimento em relação aos marcadores laboratoriais e escassez de trabalhos em português, propomos uma revisão de Literatura sobre alterações laboratoriais observadas em pacientes infectados por SARS-CoV-2. MÉTODOS Análise de artigos publicados entre dezembro de 2019 a maio de 2020 nas plataformas PubMed e SciELO. Os artigos foram identificados, filtrados e avaliados com base na abordagem ao assunto, idioma e impacto. Depois, os artigos foram submetidos a uma minuciosa leitura, na íntegra, por 4 (quatro) pesquisadores independentes. RESULTADOS A leucopenia e a linfopenia constaram na maioria dos trabalhos, presente até em definições de caso. A contagem de plaquetas e a razão plaquetas-linfócitos, no pico plaquetário, foram associados à idade avançada e maior tempo de hospitalização. A eosinopenia apresentou sensibilidade de 74,7% e especificidade de 68,7% e, juntamente com aumento da PCR, são uma das perspectivas futuras de triagem para doença. O alto nível de procalcitonina pode indicar uma co-infecção bacteriana, levando a pior prognóstico. A COVID-19 se manifesta com níveis aumentados de muitos marcadores inflamatórios como IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-7, IL-12, IP10, IFN-γ, MIP1A, MCP1, GSCF, TNF-α e MCP1/CCL2, bem como LDH, VHS, dímero-D, CK, ALT e AST. CONCLUSÃO Há necessidade de estudos adicionais sobre o novo SARS-CoV-2. Até agora, não há unanimidade em relação aos achados laboratoriais e sua utilidade, seja como marcador prognóstico, de mortalidade, ou de severidade de doença.