Identification of celiac disease associated IgA nephropathy by IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase2 antibody deposits in archived formalin-fixed tissues.

Background: The causal association between IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and celiac disease (CeD) is based on their clinical coexistence. In this prospective study, we screened patients with IgAN for CeD and explored the utility of analysis of IgA anti-TG2 antibody deposits, for establishing a causal association. Methods: Biopsy-proven patients of IgAN were screened for serum IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody (IgA anti-tTG Ab) titer and thereafter were invited to undergo endoscopic duodenal biopsy. Corresponding duodenal and kidney biopsies were subjected to IgA anti-TG2 antibody colocalization study using dual-color immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence techniques. Additionally, kidney biopsies from 105 patients with IgAN who did not give consent for serology analysis, 30 non-IgA nephropathies, and 10 normal controls were also included. Dual-color-stained slides were interpreted based on stain distribution and intensity scores, and Pearson's index >0.3-1 on confocal imaging was considered significant. Results: Of a cohort of 151 patients with IgAN, 32 consented to undergo sero-screening and 5 of them had high serum anti-tTG Ab titer. Two out of the latter consented to endoscopic duodenal biopsies, in whom modified Marsh grade 3b changes were identified. Strong IgA anti-TG2 antibody deposits were noted in the kidney and duodenal biopsies of these patients. One patient out of non-consenting 105 patients with IgAN and 3 out of 30 patients with other non-IgA nephropathies also showed IgA anti-TG2 deposits. None of the healthy kidney tissues showed IgA anti-TG2 Ab deposits. Conclusions: Co-localized IgA anti-TG2 deposits in the kidney biopsies in patients with IgAN help to establish a pathogenic link with CeD. A small proportion of patients with IgAN have associated CeD.

COVID 19 and Acute Kidney Injury.

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-corona virus (SARS-CoV-2), a beta coronavirus, mainly involves the respiratory tract, and the clinical features simulate to a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) of the past. The genome of the SARS-CoV-2, isolated from a cluster-patient with a typical pneumonia after visiting Wuhan, had 89% nucleotide identitical with bat SARS-like-CoVZXC21 and 82% with that of human SARS-CoV. It enters the respiratory tract through angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) receptors on alveoli. It may induce lung injury through direct cytopathic effect, involving effector T cells or causing sepsis and inducing cytokine storm. With a similar mechanism, it can cause acute kidney injury (AKI). The overall incidence of AKI is 5.1%, and AKI is an independent risk factor for mortality. The hazard ratio of death increases with the increasing severity of AKI. Management of COVID-19 with AKI is primarily supportive care, and at present, there are no evidence based effective antivirals for the treatment.

A Giant Saphenous Vein Graft Aneurysm Treated With Percutaneous Closure.

A patient with a history of coronary artery bypass graft presented with breathlessness and was found to have an 11 × 6 cm aneurysm in a distally occluded saphenous vein graft. This case describes the investigation, heart team discussion, and percutaneous closure of the aneurysm. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).