Access to treatment in chronic kidney disease, dialysis and transplantation. Is there gender equality?

Sex and gender are often used as synonyms. However, while sex describes only a biological state, gender is a dynamic concept that takes into account psychosocial and cultural aspects of human existence that can change according to place and time. Inequality in medicine has been described in several areas. Among them, gender inequality has been disregarded for many years and is now a matter of concern. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing epidemic worldwide, affecting approximately 10% of the population. Although both men and women are affected, gender equality, especially in access to different treatments, is a matter of concern. We decided to investigate gender equality in patients with CKD. To this end, we conducted a literature narrative review to determine whether gender inequalities were found in CKD patients in general and in access to different treatment modalities in particular. A non-language restricted search was performed until November 30th 2022 in PubMed, SciELO, Trip Database, Google Scholar, MEDES y MEDLINE. We also investigated the situation in this regard in our country. We found that CKD is more prevalent in women than men, nevertheless this prevalence decreases along the CKD stages to the point that more men reach end stage kidney disease (ESKD) and dialysis. Access to transplant (ATT) is higher in men than in women although posttransplant survival shows no gender differences. Finally, most series have shown that women are more frequently Kidney transplantation (KT) living donors than men. Results in our country are similar to the published literature with the exception of a higher proportion of men as KT living donors. As in other areas, gender inequality in Nephrology has been largely overlooked. In this review we have highlighted gender differences in CKD patients. Gender inequality in Nephrology exists and needs to be looked upon in order to reach a personalized clinical approach.

Renal Transplantation in the Elderly: Are They All the Same? A Multicenter, Comorbidity-Based Study.

INTRODUCTION: The age for kidney transplantation (KT) is no longer a limitation and several studies have shown benefits in the survival of elderly patients. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of the baseline Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score to morbidity and mortality after transplantation. METHODS: In this multicentric observational retrospective cohort study, we included patients older than 60 years admitted on the waiting list (WL) for deceased donor KT from January 01, 2006, to December 31, 2016. The CCI score was calculated for each patient at inclusion on the WL. RESULTS: Data for analysis were available of 387 patients. The patients were divided in tertiles of CCI: group 1 (CCI: 1-2) n = 117, group 2 (CCI: 3-4) n = 158, and group 3 (CCI: ≥5) n = 112. Patient survival was significantly different between CCI groups at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively: 90%, 88%, and 84% for group 1, 88%, 80%, and 72% for group 2, and 87%, 75%, and 63% for group 3 (p < 0.0001). Variables associated with mortality were CCI score (p < 0.0001), HLA mismatch (p = 0.014), length of hospital stay (p < 0.0001), surgical complications (p = 0.048). CONCLUSION: Individualized strategies to modify these variables may improve patient's morbidity and mortality after KT.

Dynamic prediction of renal survival among deeply phenotyped kidney transplant recipients using artificial intelligence: an observational, international, multicohort study.

BACKGROUND: Kidney allograft failure is a common cause of end-stage renal disease. We aimed to develop a dynamic artificial intelligence approach to enhance risk stratification for kidney transplant recipients by generating continuously refined predictions of survival using updates of clinical data. METHODS: In this observational study, we used data from adult recipients of kidney transplants from 18 academic transplant centres in Europe, the USA, and South America, and a cohort of patients from six randomised controlled trials. The development cohort comprised patients from four centres in France, with all other patients included in external validation cohorts. To build deeply phenotyped cohorts of transplant recipients, the following data were collected in the development cohort: clinical, histological, immunological variables, and repeated measurements of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and proteinuria (measured using the proteinuria to creatininuria ratio). To develop a dynamic prediction system based on these clinical assessments and repeated measurements, we used a Bayesian joint models-an artificial intelligence approach. The prediction performances of the model were assessed via discrimination, through calculation of the area under the receiver operator curve (AUC), and calibration. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04258891. FINDINGS: 13 608 patients were included (3774 in the development cohort and 9834 in the external validation cohorts) and contributed 89 328 patient-years of data, and 416 510 eGFR and proteinuria measurements. Bayesian joint models showed that recipient immunological profile, allograft interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, allograft inflammation, and repeated measurements of eGFR and proteinuria were independent risk factors for allograft survival. The final model showed accurate calibration and very high discrimination in the development cohort (overall dynamic AUC 0·857 [95% CI 0·847-0·866]) with a persistent improvement in AUCs for each new repeated measurement (from 0·780 [0·768-0·794] to 0·926 [0·917-0·932]; p<0·0001). The predictive performance was confirmed in the external validation cohorts from Europe (overall AUC 0·845 [0·837-0·854]), the USA (overall AUC 0·820 [0·808-0·831]), South America (overall AUC 0·868 [0·856-0·880]), and the cohort of patients from randomised controlled trials (overall AUC 0·857 [0·840-0·875]). INTERPRETATION: Because of its dynamic design, this model can be continuously updated and holds value as a bedside tool that could refine the prognostic judgements of clinicians in everyday practice, hence enhancing precision medicine in the transplant setting. FUNDING: MSD Avenir, French National Institute for Health and Medical Research, and Bettencourt Schueller Foundation.

Assessing Renal Function for Kidney Donation. How Low Is Too Low?

Kidney transplantation (KT) is the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) with decreased morbi-mortality, improved life quality, and reduced cost. However, the shortage of organs from deceased donors led to an increase in KT from living donors. Some stipulate that living donors have a higher risk of ESKD after donation compared with healthy non-donors. The reason for this is not clear. It is possible that ESKD is due to the nephrectomy-related reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), followed by an age-related decline that may be more rapid in related donors. It is essential to assess donors properly to avoid rejecting suitable ones and not accepting those with a higher risk of ESKD. GFR is a central aspect of the evaluation of potential donors since there is an association between low GFR and ESKD. The methods for assessing GFR are in continuous debate, and the kidney function thresholds for accepting a donor may vary according to the guidelines. While direct measurements of GFR (mGFR) provide the most accurate evaluation of kidney function, guidelines do not systematically use this measurement as a reference. Also, some studies have shown that the GFR decreases with age and may vary with gender and race, therefore, the lower limit of GFR in patients eligible to donate may vary based on these demographic factors. Finally, it is known that CrCl overestimates mGFR while eGFR underestimates it, therefore, another way to have a reliable GFR could be the combination of two measurement methods.

[Aggresive angiomyxoma after renal transplantation]. / Angiomixoma agresivo postrasplante renal.

The condition of immunosuppressed increases the risk of cancer in kidney transplant patients, as compared to the general population. The best survival of inmunosupressed patients in recent years has turned both neoplasms and cardiovascular diseases into the main causes of morbidity and mortality. We present the case of a renal transplanted patient who developed an unusual form of mesenchymal tumor such as the aggressive angiomyxoma, four years after the implant and requiring wide surgical resection.

Angiomixoma agresivo postrasplante renal / Aggresive angiomyxoma after renal transplantation

La condición de inmunosuprimido aumenta el riesgo de cáncer en trasplantados renales, en comparación a la población general. La mejor supervivencia de esta población en los últimos años ha convertido a las neoplasias y a la enfermedad cardiovascular en las principales causas de morbi-mortalidad. Presentamos el caso de un paciente trasplantado renal que desarrolló cuatro años después del trasplante una forma inusual de tumor mesenquimatoso, el angiomixoma agresivo, que requirió resección quirúrgica amplia.

The condition of immunosuppressed increases the risk of cancer in kidney transplant patients, as compared to the general population. The best survival of inmunosupressed patients in recent years has turned both neoplasms and cardiovascular diseases into the main causes of morbidity and mortality. We present the case of a renal transplanted patient who developed an unusual form of mesenchymal tumor such as the aggressive angiomyxoma, four years after the implant and requiring wide surgical resection.

Trasplante renal en paciente con diagnóstico de esquizofrenia. Reporte de caso / Kidney transplant in a patient with Schizophrenia. Case report

Se presenta el caso de una paciente de sexo femenino de 42 años de edad con diagnóstico de esquizofrenia de larga data e insuficiencia renal crónica estadio V. Tras tratamiento sustitutivo de aproximadamente dos años ingresa en lista de espera para trasplante renal con donante fallecido. Recibe trasplante donante fallecido con buena evolución y favorable adaptación a las intercurrencias acontecidas en el transcurso del proceso. Este caso representa una posibilidad para pacientes con diagnóstico de esquizofrenia puedan recibir un trasplante renal con favorable evolución resaltando diversos aspectos a contemplar a fin de garantizar el éxito de dicha intervención

We report the case of a female patient, aged 42, with long-term schizophrenia and end-stage chronic kidney disease. After approximately two years undergoing replacement therapy, she is put on the waiting list for deceased donor kidney transplant. She receives a transplant from a deceased donor with good progress and favorable adaptation to the intercurrent diseases occurring during the course of the process. This case represents a possibility for patients diagnosed with schizophrenia; they may receive a kidney transplant with good progress, highlighting different aspects to be considered in order to guarantee the success of the procedure

Hiperuricemia, enfermedad renal crónica y trasplante renal (parte II) / Hyperuricemia, chronic renal disease and renal transplant (part II)

La hiperuricemia (HU) en el trasplante renal (TR) ha sido definida igual que en la población general en las Guías KDIGO como valores por encima de 6 mg/dl en mujeres y 7 mg/dl en hombres. La incidencia de HU en algunas poblaciones es de 28%,(1) alcanzando el 80% en la era Ciclosporina (CSA).(2) La HU se observa precozmente luego del TR, los factores de riesgo asociados con su desarrollo incluyen: edad avanzada al momento del TR; historia de gota o HU pre-existente; obesidad; presencia de síndrome metabólico (SM); deterioro de la función del injerto; uso de inmunosupresores, principalmente ciclosporina (CSA); uso de diuréticos

Hyperuricemia (HU) in renal transplant (RT) has been defined, like general population, with KDIGO Guides, as over 6 mg/dl values in women and 7 mg/dl in men. HU incidence in some populations are 28%, reaching 80% in Cyclosporine era (CSA). HU is early observed after RT, risk factors associated with its development include: advanced age at the time of RT; gout history or pre-existing HU; obesity; metabolic syndrome presence (MS); graft function deterioration; use of Inmunosuppression drugs, mainly cyclosporine (CSA); use of diuretics

Glycaemic changes in patients with chronic kidney disease.

In Argentina, there have been no studies aimed at establishing the prevalence of dysglycaemia (impaired fasting glucose [IFG], impaired glucose tolerance [IGT] and diabetes mellitus [DM]) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our group decided to conduct an observational study to evaluate the frequency with oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in CKD patients with no previous data for dysglycaemia in their medical records. OGTT was performed in 254 patients (60.62% male) with stage 3, 4 and 5 CKD under conservative treatment, haemodialysis or transplantation. Results for DM were found in 10 patients according to fasting glucose alone (3.94%; 95% CI: 1.35-6.53%), 11 patients with exclusively the second hour criterion (4.33%; 95% CI: 1.63-7.03%), 15 with both criteria (5.91%; 95% CI: 2.81-9.00%) and 36 patients with at least one criteria (14.17%; 95% CI: 9.69-18.66%). In a multivariate analysis, DM was associated with waist circumference (OR=1.033 per cm; 95% CI, 1.005 to 1.062; P=.019) and with conservative treatment vs. replacement therapy (OR=0.41; 95% CI: 0.19-0.92; P=.028). IGT was evident in 24.6% and 20.3 on conservative vs. replacement therapy, with no statistically significant difference. IFG (ADA criteria) was 19.75 vs. 9.24% in conservative vs. replacement therapy, with a statistically significant difference. OGTT is suggested for all CKD patients since it is able to detect the full range of unknown dysglycaemias, which avoids underdiagnoses and favours performing treatments to prevent progression in DM risk groups (IFG and/or IGT). It also aids in the selection of the most appropriate medication for transplantation or treatment initiation in new cases of undiagnosed DM to decrease morbidity and mortality.

Hiperuricemia, enfermedad renal crónica y trasplante renal (parte I) / Hyperuricemia, chronic kidney disease and kidney transplant (part I)

La hiperuricemia post trasplante ha sido definida con valores iguales a la población general, en su prevalencia pueden alcanzar un 80% en los que han recibido un trasplante renal, un 5-25% desarrolla crisis gotosas. La edad avanzada al momento del implante, la historia de hiperuricemia o gota, la obesidad, el tratamiento con anticalcineurínicos, el uso de diuréticos y el bajo filtrado glomerular son algunos de los factores implicados en su desarrollo. La hiperuricemia se han relacionado con disminución de la vasodilatación mediada por óxido nítrico y la proliferación del músculo liso vascular a través de efectos proinflamatorios y profibróticos (mediados por células T, macrófagos, PDGF, TGF ß, entre otros). Estos efectos se han asociado a su vez con hipertensión arterial, afecciones cardiovasculares y progresión del daño renal (relacionado con fibrosis túbulo intersticial, arterioloesclerosis de la aferente, atrofia tubular), factores que conllevan a una reducción en la sobrevida del injerto como del paciente. La indicación de tratamiento de la hiperuricemia asintomática en esta población es aún objeto de debate, tanto respecto de la indicación en sí como del tipo de fármaco a utilizar, a diferencia de lo que ocurre en litiasis, tofos o artritis donde se debe encarar el tratamiento, jerarquizando la interacción con las drogas propias del trasplante. Se debe considerar que la mayoría de la información disponible se desprende del análisis sobre población general por lo que se requieren estudios de este grupo poblacional en particular.

Post-transplant hyperuricemia has been defined with equal values to the ones of general population, its prevalence can reach 80% in those who have received a kidney transplant, and 5 to 25% can develop gout crisis. Advanced age at implant, history of hyperuricemia or gout, obesity, treatment with calcineurin inhibitors, use of diuretics and low glomerular filtration rate are some of the factors involved in its development. Hyperuricemia has been linked to decreased nitric oxide mediated vasodilation and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle through proinflammatory and profibrotic effects (mediated by T cells, macrophages, PDGF, TGF ß among others). These effects have been associated, in turn, with hypertension, cardiovascular disease and renal damage progression (related tubulointerstitial fibrosis, arteriosclerosis of afferent tubular atrophy) factors that lead to a reduction in graft and patient survival. Indication for asymptomatic hyperuricemia treatment in this population is still under debate, both in terms of the indication in itself and the type of drug used, unlike what happens in stones, arthritis, or tophi where they must face treatment must be addressed, prioritizing the interaction with the drugs used in transplantation. It must be considered that most of the available information comes from the analysis of general population, therefore studies on this population group are particularly required

Hiperuricemia, enfermedad renal crónica y trasplante renal (parte ii) / Hyperuricemia, chronic kidney disease and kidney transplant (part ii)

La hiperuricemia post trasplante ha sido definida con valores iguales a la población general, en su prevalencia pueden alcanzar un 80% en los que ha recibido un trasplante renal, un 5-25% desarrolla crisis gotosas. La edad avanzada al momento del implante, la historia de hiperuricemia o gota, la obesidad, el tratamiento con anticalcineurínicos, el uso de diuréticos y el bajo filtrado glomerular son algunos de los factores implicados en su desarrollo. La hiperuricemia se han relacionado con disminución de la vasodilatación mediada por óxido nítrico y la proliferación del músculo liso vascular a través de efectos proinflamatorios y profibróticos (mediados por células T, macrófagos, PDGF, TGF ² , entre otros). Estos efectos se han asociado a su vez con hipertensión arterial, afecciones cardiovasculares y progresión del daño renal (relacionado con fibrosis túbulo intersticial, arterioloesclerosis de la aferente, atrofia tubular), factores que conllevan a una reducción en la sobrevida del injerto como del paciente. La indicación de tratamiento de la hiperuricemia asintomática en esta población es aún objeto de debate, tanto respecto de la indicación en sí como del tipo de fármaco a utilizar, a diferencia de lo que ocurre en litiasis, tofos o artritis donde se debe encarar el tratamiento, jerarquizando la interacción con las drogas propias del trasplante. Se debe considerar que la mayoría de la información disponible se desprende del análisis sobre población general por lo que se requieren estudios de este grupo poblacional en particular.

Post-transplant hyperuricemia has been defined with equal values to the ones of general population, its prevalence can reach 80% in those who have received a kidney transplant, and 5 to 25% can develop gout crisis. Advanced age at implant, history of hyperuricemia or gout, obesity, treatment with calcineurin inhibitors, use of diuretics and low glomerular filtration rate are some of the factors involved in its development. Hyperuricemia has been linked to decreased nitric oxide mediated vasodilation and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle through proinflammatory and profibrotic effects (mediated by T cells, macrophages, PDGF, TGF ² among others). These effects have been associated, in turn, with hypertension, cardiovascular disease and renal damage progression (related tubulointerstitial fibrosis, arteriosclerosis of afferent tubular atrophy) factors that lead to a reduction in graft and patient survival. Indication for asymptomatic hyperuricemia treatment in this population is still under debate, both in terms of the indication in itself and the type of drug used, unlike what happens in stones, arthritis, or tophi where they must face treatment must be addressed, prioritizing the interaction with the drugs used in transplantation. It must be considered that most of the available information comes from the analysis of general population, therefore studies on this population group are particularly required.

Travel for transplantation and transplant commercialism in Argentina: a 4-decade experience from a University Hospital.

Travel for transplantation and transplant commercialism have become major issues in the last years, generating a passionate medical, legal, and ethical debate. We evaluated the general characteristics of patients who received a kidney transplant abroad and were subsequently followed in our institution. Then, we carried out a retrospective analysis of travelers' outcomes and compared them with a matched cohort of patients transplanted in our center. Between 1971 and 2008, 58 kidney transplants were performed outside Argentina and were subsequently followed up at our institution. The main destinations were the USA (32.8%), Bolivia (29.3%), and Brazil (17.2%). Deceased donor transplants were the most common (53.4%) followed by unrelated living donors (32.8%). No difference was observed between travelers and controls in terms of one-month and one-yr renal function and one-yr and five-yr graft survival. Travelers had significantly less time on dialysis before transplantation than controls. The major destination among all travelers was the USA, and the main destination for commercial transplants was Bolivia. The destination countries involved in our study and the apparent non-inferiority of travelers graft outcomes differ from those of previous reports.

Uso de Cinacalcet en el tratamiento del hiperparatiroidismo persistente post-trasplante renal. Experiencia en un centro de Argentina / Use of Cinacalcet in the treatment of persistent hyperparathyroidism post-renal transplant. A single center experience in Argentina

Introducción: El trasplante renal se asocia con disminución de los niveles séricos de parathormona (PTH). La persistencia de valores elevados de PTH asociado a hipercalcemia es sugestiva de hiperparatiroidismo persistente. El hiperparatiroidismo persistente es un factor de riesgo para calcificaciones vasculares, pérdida de masa ósea y supervivencia del injerto. El cinacalcet actúa sobre los receptores calcio (Ca) sensibles aumentando su activación por el Ca iónico, disminuyendo los niveles de PTH, Ca y fosforo (P) plasmático. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la efectividad y seguridad del cinacalcet en pacientes Trasplantados renales con hiperparatiroidismo persistente e hipercalcemia. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo y observacional en 14 pacientes trasplantados renales que recibieron cinacalcet durante al menos 3 meses como tratamiento del hiperparatiroidismo. Resultados: La PTHi pre-cinacalcet fue 159 ± 70 pg/ml; al mes fue 151 ± 110 pg/ml; a los 3 meses 150 ± 96 pg/ ml, a los 6 meses de 142 ± 64 y al año 139 ± 75 pg/ml. El descenso de la PTHi no fue significativo. El Ca sérico bajó en forma significativa de 11.3 ± 0.8 a 10.0 ± 0.8 mg/dl al mes del tratamiento (p< 0.001) manteniendo sus valores estables a los 3 (10.2 ± 1.0), 6 (10.3 ± 0.5) y 12 (10 ± 0.4) meses. El P fue 2.7 ± 0.79mg/dl al inicio del tratamiento, manteniendo valores estables en los meses 3, 6 y 12. La dosis media de cinacalcet al inicio fue de 30 mg aumentando en forma no significativa al 3º mes a 32 ± 12 mg/d, al 6º mes 40 ± 22 mg/d y al año 41.6 ± 18 mg/d. Conclusión: En esta pequeña cohorte de estudio de pacientes con hiperparatiroidismo persistente e hipercalcemia, el cinacalcet fue efectivo en bajar los niveles de Ca (p< 0.001), no teniendo el mismo efecto sobre la PTHi.

Background: Renal transplant (RTx) is associated with the decrease in serum parathyroidhormone (PTH) levels. The persistence of high PTH levels associated to hypercalcemia is suggestive of persistent hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). pHPT is a risk factor for vascular calcifications, bone loss, and graft survival. Cinacalcet acts on the calcium sensing receptor increasing their activation by ionic Ca, reducing serum PTH, Ca, and phosphate (P) levels. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cinacalcet in RTx patients with pHPT and hypercalcemia. Material and methods: We performed a retrospective, observational study in 14 RTx patients who received cinacalcet for at least 3 months as part of the pHPT treatment. Results: Pre-cinacalcet iPTH levels were 159 ± 70 pg/ml; after one month it was 151 ± 110 pg/ml, 150 ± 96 pg/ml at three months, 142 ± 64 at six months and 139 ± 75 pg/ml after one year. The decrease in the iPTH was not significant. The serum Ca significantly decreased from 11.3 ± 0.8 to 10.0 ± 0.8 mg/dl after one month (p< 0.001) keeping serum levels stable after three (10.2 ± 1.0), six (10.3 ± 0.5), and twelve (10 ± 0.4) months. P was 2.7 ± 0.79 mg/dl at the beginning of treatment, keeping their levels stable after 3, 6, and 12 months. The average dose of cinacalcet at the beginning was 30 mg increasing in a non-significant way on the 3rd month to 32 ± 12 mg/d, on the 6th month to 40 ± 22 mg/d, and on the 12th month to 41.6 ± 18 mg/d. Conclusion: In this small cohort of patients with pHPT and hypercalcemia, cinacalcet was effective in reducing serum Ca levels (p< 0.001), but not iPTH.

Short and long term outcome of kidney transplanted patients with chronic viral hepatitis B and C.

INTRODUCTION: Liver disease related to chronic viral hepatitis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant patients. There is no agreement upon the influence of chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) infection in patient and graft survival. AIMS: The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of HBV and HCV on patient and graft short and long term survival, in the patients transplanted at our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the influence of antiHCV and HBsAg status (positive vs. negative); sex; age (> 49 years vs. < 49 years at transplantation); time on dialysis (> 3 vs. < 3 years); acute rejection; kind of graft (deceased vs. living donor, and kidney versus kidney and pancreas); number of transplantations; use of induction immunosuppression; and maintenance immunosuppression treatment (comparing the traditional triple therapy containing azathioprine, cyclosporine and prednisone vs. newer regimens which include tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, sirolimus, etc) on the survival, long term and within the first month of transplantation, of the graft and the patients transplanted in our Institution between January 1991 and August 2009. RESULTS: We included 542 patients, 60% males. median age of 42.03 years (SD 13.06 years). 180 patients (33%) were antiHCV positive and 23 (4%) were HBsAg positive. AntiHCV positive, traditional triple therapy and acute rejection were associated with diminished graft survival. Older age, antiHCV positive, HBsAg positive, deceased donor, kidney-pancreas transplantation and traditional triple therapy were associated with diminished patient survival. Traditional triple therapy was associated with diminished one month graft survival; and older age and antiHCV positive were associated with diminished one month patient survival. CONCLUSION: In our experience, antiHCV positive status was associated with diminished long term patient and graft survival, and diminished six month graft survival; and HBsAg positive was associated with diminished patient survival.

Enfermedad antimembrana basal glomerular en un paciente trasplantado renal con enfermedad de Alport / Anti glomerular basement membrane disease in a renal transplant patient with Alport syndrome

Se comunica un caso de enfermedad anti membrana basal glomerular (anti MBG) en un paciente com síndrome de Alport que recibió un trasplante de riñón cadavérico. Luego de alcanzar una función renal normal al mês del trasplante, deterioró progresivamente la función a partir del 3er mês y la punción biopsia renal mostró formación de semilunas y depósitos lineales de inmunoglobulinas. El estudio del suero demostró anticuerpos contra la cadena alfa 5 del colágeno tipo IV y recibió tratamiento con plasmaféresis, lográndose estabilización funcional durante un año. Al cabo de dicho lapso una infección respiratoria requirió interrupción de la inmunosupresión y el paciente debió reingresar al programa de hemodiálisis crónica. Se discuten los posibles mecanismos que condicionaron la especificidad de los anticuerpos circulantes en este caso, ya que difiere de la prevalente en la enfermedad anti MBG idiopática, en la que los anticuerpos circulantes están habitualmente dirigidos contra la cadena alfa 3.

Enfermedad antimembrana basal glomerular en un paciente trasplantado renal con enfermedad de Alport / Anti glomerular basement membrane disease in a renal transplant patient with Alport syndrome

Se comunica un caso de enfermedad anti membrana basal glomerular (anti MBG) en un paciente com síndrome de Alport que recibió un trasplante de riñón cadavérico. Luego de alcanzar una función renal normal al mÛs del trasplante, deterioró progresivamente la función a partir del 3er mÛs y la punción biopsia renal mostró formación de semilunas y depósitos lineales de inmunoglobulinas. El estudio del suero demostró anticuerpos contra la cadena alfa 5 del colágeno tipo IV y recibió tratamiento con plasmaféresis, lográndose estabilización funcional durante un año. Al cabo de dicho lapso una infección respiratoria requirió interrupción de la inmunosupresión y el paciente debió reingresar al programa de hemodiálisis crónica. Se discuten los posibles mecanismos que condicionaron la especificidad de los anticuerpos circulantes en este caso, ya que difiere de la prevalente en la enfermedad anti MBG idiopática, en la que los anticuerpos circulantes están habitualmente dirigidos contra la cadena alfa 3. (AU)