Diagnosis and treatment strategies for solid organ transplant recipients with SARS-CoV-2 infection / 器官移植

Due to long-term use of immunosuppressive agents, solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR) belong to high-risk populations of multiple pathogenic infection, including SARS-CoV-2. In addition, SOTR are constantly complicated by chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus, etc. After infected with SARS-CoV-2, the critically ill rate and fatality of SOTR are higher than those of the general population, which captivates widespread attention from experts in the field of organ transplantation. Omicrone variant is currently the significant pandemic strain worldwide, rapidly spreading to more than 100 countries worldwide and causing broad concern. According to the latest international guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection and relevant expert consensus in China combined with current domestic situation of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and China's "diagnosis and treatment regimen for SARS-CoV-2 infection (Trial Version 10)", the epidemiology, clinical manifestations and prognosis, diagnosis, clinical classification and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection were briefly reviewed.

Post-transplant idiopathic non-lupus full-house nephropathy – A case report

We report a case of Idiopathic non-lupus full-house nephropathy (NLFHN) in a 39-year-old male who had a full-house pattern of immunofluorescence study without overt systemic lupus erythematosus after a follow-up of more than 2 years. The incidence of detection of cases of NLFHN is increasing in native kidney biopsy and is critical to report as they have poor clinical outcomes. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first case of post-transplant renal biopsy and needs to be reported to plan the treatment protocol for such transplant patients.

Liver transplant after SARS-CoV-2 infection: A systematic review

Abstract Background: The Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has dramatically impacted liver organ transplantation. The American Society of Transplantation recommends a minimum of 28 days after symptom resolution for organ donation. However, the exact time for transplantation for recipients is unknown. Considering that mortality on the waiting list for patients with MELD >25 or fulminant hepatitis is higher than that of COVID-19, the best time for surgery after SARS-CoV-2 infection remains undetermined. This study aims to expand the current knowledge regarding the Liver Transplantation (LT) time for patients after COVID-19 and to provide transplant physicians with essential decision-making tools to manage these critically ill patients during the pandemic. Methods: Systematic review of patients who underwent liver transplantation after diagnosis of COVID-19. The MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane, Lilacs, Embase, and Scielo databases were searched until June 20, 2021. The MESH terms used were "COVID-19" and "Liver transplantation". Results: 558 articles were found; of these 13 articles and a total of 18 cases of COVID-19 prior to liver transplantation were reported. The mean age was 38.7±14.6, with male prevalence. Most had mild symptoms of COVID. Five patients have specific treatment for COVID-19 with convalescent plasm or remdesivir/oseltamivir, just one patient received hydroxychloroquine, and 12 patients received only symptomatic treatment. The median time between COVID-19 to LT was 19 days (13.5-44.5). Deceased donor liver transplantation accounted for 61% of cases, while living donor transplantation was 39%. Conclusion: Despite the concerns regarding the postoperative evolution, the mortality of patients with high MELD or fulminant hepatitis transplanted shortly after COVID-19 diagnosis does not seem to be higher. (PROSPERO, registration number = CRD42021261790)

Dilemas y vivencias frente a la implementación de la ley 1805 de 2016 / Dilemmas and experiences caused by the implementation of the law 1805 of 2016 / Dilemas e vivências perante a aplicação da lei 1805 de 2016

En Colombia la ley 1805/2016, amplía la presunción legal de donación de órganos de todo adulto que en vida no exprese su negativa ante esta. Diversos posicionamientos involucran aspectos éticos y bioéticos, intensificando el debate moral y jurídico que la normativa suscita. El objetivo es analizar los dilemas bioéticos, que emergen en el personal de salud frente a la presunción legal de donación de órganos y las vivencias de pacientes en lista de espera, en el marco de la implementación de la ley 1805/2016. Materiales y métodos. Estudio fenomenológico, con triangulación múltiple y abordaje cualitativo, mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas, conversatorios y grupos focales. Informantes claves: 7 pacientes en lista de espera y 19 profesionales de salud de tres unidades de cuidados intensivos. Resultados. Se encontró que la implementación normativa convoca un tercer actor, la red de trasplante, que poco interactúa con el equipo de salud durante el rescate de órganos, situación que genera dilemas entre el principio de justicia distributiva, que involucra a los pacientes en lista de espera y el principio de respeto ante el duelo de los familiares del fallecido. Las tensiones de los pacientes se relacionan con el trasplante, que representa una esperanza de vida, rodeada de múltiples requerimientos. En conclusión, el personal de salud afronta dilemas bioéticos, por falta de educación y sensibilización normativa. Los pacientes experimentan tensiones éticas, que se sustentan en las vivencias de conductas previas, frente al anhelo del trasplante, visualizado como una segunda oportunidad.

In Colombia, the law 1805/2016, extends the legal presumption of organ donation to all adults who during life do not express denial regarding this matter. Diverse positionings involve ethic and bioethics aspects, intensifying the moral and legal debate caused by this law. Objective: Analyze the bioethical dilemmas that emerge in the healthcare personnel regarding the presumption of legal donation and the experiences of patients in the waiting list, considering the law 1805/2016. Material and Methods: Phenomenological study with multiple triangulation and qualitative approach, through semi-structured interviews, round table discussions and focus groups. Key informants: 7 patients on the waiting list and 19 healthcare professionals from three intensive care units. Results: It was found that the implementation of this regulation convenes a third party, the organ and transplant network, which hardly interacts with the health team during the rescue of organs, a situation that generates dilemmas between the principle of distributive justice, involving the patients on the waiting list, and the principle of respecting the grief of the family of the deceased. The tensions of the patients are related to the transplant, which represents a hope for life, surrounded by multiple requirements. Conclusion: The health care personnel face bioethical dilemmas caused by the lack of education and sensibilization from the regulations. The patients experience ethical tensions, which are based on the experiences of previous behaviors regarding the longing for transplantation, visualized as a second opportunity.

Na Colômbia a lei 1805/2016, amplia a presunção legal de doação de órgãos a toda pessoa adulta que em vida não expresse a sua negativa perante a mesma. Diversos posicionamentos envolvem aspectos éticos e bioéticas intensificando o debate moral e jurídico que a norma suscita. Objetivo: analisar os dilemas bioéticas que se originam no pessoal de saúde perante a presunção legal de doação e as vivências de pacientes em espera de um órgão na implementação da lei 1805/2016. Materiais e métodos: Estudo fenomenológico, com múltipla triangulação e formulação qualitativa, realizando entrevistas semiestruturadas e grupos focais. Estudaram-se sete pacientes à espera de um órgão e 19 profissionais do setor saúde de três unidades de terapia intensiva. Resultados: Encontrouse que a norma envolve um terceiro participante, a rede de resgate dos órgãos, que tem mínima interação com a equipe de saúde durante o resgate dos órgãos, situação que gera conflito entre o principio de justiça distributiva, que envolve os pacientes à espera e o principio do respeito ante a perda dos familiares do doador. As tensões dos pacientes relacionam-se com o próprio transplante, que representa a esperança da vida, acompanhada de múltiplos requerimentos. Conclusão: O pessoal de saúde afronta diversos dilemas bioéticas, por falta de ensino e sensibilização normativa. Os pacientes experimentam tensões éticas, que se sustentam nas vivências de condutas previas frente a expectativa do transplante, percebido como uma segunda oportunidade.

COVID-19 in solid organ transplantation patients: A systematic review

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) rapidly progresses to severe acute respiratory syndrome. This review aimed at collating available data on COVID-19 infection in solid organ transplantation (SOT) patients. We performed a systematic review of SOT patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The MEDLINE and PubMed databases were electronically searched and updated until April 20, 2020. The MeSH terms used were "COVID-19" AND "Transplant." Thirty-nine COVID-19 cases were reported among SOT patients. The median interval for developing SARS-CoV-2 infection was 4 years since transplantation, and the fatality rate was 25.64% (10/39). Sixteen cases were described in liver transplant (LT) patients, and the median interval since transplantation was 5 years. The fatality rate among LT patients was 37.5% (6/16), with death occurring more than 3 years after LT. The youngest patient who died was 59 years old; there were no deaths among children. Twenty-three cases were described in kidney transplant (KT) patients. The median interval since transplantation was 4 years, and the fatality rate was 17.4% (4/23). The youngest patient who died was 71 years old. Among all transplant patients, COVID-19 had the highest fatality rate in patients older than 60 years : LT, 62.5% vs 12.5% (p=0.006); KT 44.44% vs 0 (p=0.039); and SOT, 52.94% vs 4.54% (p=0.001). This study presents a novel description of COVID-19 in abdominal SOT recipients. Furthermore, we alert medical professionals to the higher fatality risk in patients older than 60 years. (PROSPERO, registration number=CRD42020181299)

Recomendaciones en la analgesia del receptor de trasplante renal / Recommendations for kidney transplant recipient analgesia

Resumen: En el año 2012 se realizaron alrededor de 77,818 trasplantes según estimaciones de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. El trasplante renal es la mejor terapia de reemplazo en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica, ya que mejora la calidad de vida y la posibilidad de supervivencia. El dolor postoperatorio en el trasplante renal es generalmente de leve a moderado y es de especial consideración debido a la existencia de diversas comorbilidades y la variabilidad en las respuestas que puede presentar el injerto. El manejo efectivo del dolor postoperatorio contribuye a un resultado exitoso después del trasplante renal (visita http://www.painoutmexico.com para obtener la versión completa del artículo y el diagrama de recomendaciones).

Abstract: In 2012, 77,818 kidney transplants were performed in the world according to the World Health Organization. Kidney transplantation is the best replacement therapy in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease as it improves the quality of life and survival possibilities. Postoperative pain is usually from mild to moderate after a kidney transplantation and it's of special consideration because of underlying comorbidities and variable graft responses. Effective postoperative pain management contributes to a successful outcome after kidney transplantation (visit http://www.painoutmexico.com to see the full article and recommendations).

Analysis of the genetic diversity of Candida isolates obtained from diabetic patients and kidney transplant recipients

Yeasts of the genus Candida have high genetic variability and are the most common opportunistic pathogenic fungi in humans. In this study, we evaluated the genetic diversity among 120 isolates of Candida spp. obtained from diabetic patients, kidney transplant recipients and patients without any immune deficiencies from Paraná state, Brazil. The analysis was performed using the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region and a partial sequence of 28S rDNA. In the phylogenetic analysis, we observed a consistent separation of the species C. albicans, C. dubliniensis, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C. metapsilosis and C. orthopsilosis, however with low intraspecific variability. In the analysis of the C. albicans species, two clades were formed. Clade A included the largest number of isolates (91.2%) and the majority of isolates from GenBank (71.4%). The phylogenetic analysis showed low intraspecific genetic diversity, and the genetic polymorphisms between C. albicans isolates were similar to genetic divergence found in other studies performed with isolates from Brazil. This low genetic diversity of isolates can be explained by the geographic proximity of the patients evaluated. It was observed that yeast colonisation was highest in renal transplant recipients and diabetic patients and that C. albicans was the species most frequently isolated.

Thoracic aorta aneurysm open repair in heart transplant recipient; the anesthesiologist’s perspective.

Many years following transplantation, heart transplant recipients may require noncardiac major surgeries. Anesthesia in such patients may be challenging due to physiological and pharmacological problems regarding allograft denervation and difficult immunosuppressive management. Massive hemorrhage, hypoperfusion, renal, respiratory failure, and infections are some of the most frequent complications related to thoracic aorta aneurysm repair. Understanding how to optimize hemodynamic and infectious risks may have a substantial impact on the outcome. This case report aims at discussing risk stratification and anesthetic management of a 54‑year‑old heart transplant female recipient, affected by Marfan syndrome, undergoing thoracic aorta aneurysm repair.

Successful Pregnancy and Delivery with Good Maternal and Fetal Outcome in a Kidney Transplant Recipient.

Conception and successful completion of pregnancy is rare in women with end-stage kidney disease. Given the rising burden of chronic kidney disease, it is quite common to see more women in their childbearing ages being diagnosed with the condition. As the kidney disease progresses, fertility chances reduce and pregnancy becomes a rarity. In addition to dealing with dialysis and its consequences, the women with end-stage kidney disease also face the trauma of infertility and inability to start their families. At such times, pregnancy and delivery following successful kidney transplantation with return of normal kidney function, offers a ray of hope to women of childbearing ages. We report the case of a young woman with end-stage renal/kidney disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis for 2 years, who underwent cadaveric kidney transplantation with subsequent excellent allograft function. Two years post-transplantation, she went ahead with a successful pregnancy and delivery of a normal birth weight baby, and preserved renal allograft function.

Rhabdomyolysis Induced by Hypothyroidism in a Kidney Transplant Recipient / 대한신장학회지

Kidney transplant recipients are more susceptible to rhabdomyolysis because of both the numerous medicines they take, such as immunosuppressants, lipid-lowering agents, and antihypertensive agents, and post-transplantation complications, such as posttransplantation diabetes mellitus and hyperuricemia. Pure hypothyroidism is a rare cause of rhabdomyolysis, and few cases of rhabdomyolysis induced by hypothyroidism have been reported in kidney transplant recipients. We report a case of rhabdomyolysis induced by unrecognized hypothyroidism in a kidney transplant patient, and discuss hypothyroidism and other precipitating factors as a cause of rhabdomyolysis, with a review of the literature.

The Effectiveness of Perceived Stress and Social Support on the Quality of Life for Kidney Transplantation Recipients / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study is descriptive study that confirms the affect of the factors of perceived stress and social support of the kidney transplantation recipient affect on the quality of life. METHODS: 167 subjects who have received kidney transplantation in a university hospital in G city. Data obtained are analyzed by SPSS Win 13.0. RESULTS: The perceived stress based on transplantation related characteristics and general traits of kidney transplantation has significant differences only in frequency of admission. The subjects who had been supported by acquittances have more significant social support index. The quality of life has significant differences in number of admissions, gender and occupation. Also, when the perceived stress of kidney transplantation recipients is lower and social support is higher, the quality of life is higher. The perceived stress has 28.1% increment of quality of life. Adding social support, both of them affect 34.8% increment of quality of life. CONCLUSION: To decrease the factor to cause the stress of kidney transplantation recipients, it is necessary to have social support networks and to develop plans and programs to increase the quality of life of recipients.

A Prediction Model Development on Quality of Life in Kidney Transplant Recipients

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing quality of life in kidney transplant recipients and to understand the concrete pathway of influence and the power of each variable, so that integrated prediction model to promote the quality of life of kidney transplant recipients could be developed. METHODS: The sample was composed of 218 patients in follow-up care after a kidney transplant in one of 4 university hospitals in the Honam area. A structured questionnaire was used and the collected data were analyzed for fitness, using the LISREL program. RESULTS: This model was concise and extensive in predicting the quality of life of kidney transplant recipients. CONCLUSION: The research verified the factors influencing quality of life for kidney transplant recipients and it verified that direct factors such as perception of health state, compliance, self-efficacy, stress and indirect factors such as self-efficacy and social support can be important factors to predict the quality of life for recipients. Moreover, those variables represent 87% of variance in explaining quality of life in a prediction model so that the variables can be utilized to predict quality of life for kidney transplant recipients.

A Case of Dual Malignancy in a Renal Transplanted Recipient / 대한신장학회잡지

Kidney transplantation is a ideal renal replacement therapy in the patient with end stage renal disease. It made improvement of the patients' life quality but made increase of the incidence of chances of malignant diseases of them. We report a 44-year-old male kidney recipient recently diagnosed as early gastric cancer, had diagnosed previously as malignant lymphoma 6 years ago. He received a kidney from his mother 13 years ago, and then 7 years later he was diagnosed as malignant lymphoma presented as 2.5 cm-sized solitary lung mass. Histologically, it was confirmed as diffuse large cell type lymphoma. After 2-year scheduled chemotherapy and radiation therapy, he achieved complete remission. He was diagnosed as early gastric cancer by routine Upper Gastro-Intestinal Series study. Histologically, it was defined as moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. He underwent a subtotal gastrectomy (Billoth-II). After the operation, he preserved good graft function with no recurrence of malignancy until now. Briefing our case, a kidney recipient has been serially diagnosed different two kinds of malignancy, malignant lymphoma and early gastric cancer with interval of 7 years. He showed good responses to therapy of malignancies and excellent prognosis. We recommend specific schedule of regular malignancy screening test for kidney recipients with long duration of post-transplantation.

A Case of Majocchi's Granuloma in a Renal Transplant Recipient / 대한의진균학회지

Majocchi's granuloma is a well recognized but uncommon infection of dermal and subcutaneous tissue by fungal organisms usually limited to the superficial epidermis. The organism usually associated with Majocchi's granuloma is Trichophyton rubrum, however, other dermatophytes may be the causative agent. We presented a 29-year-old female, who underwent kidney transplantation for end stage renal disease 3 years earlier, had an erythematous nodule on her left lower leg for 6 months. Histology showed suppurative granulomatous inflammatory cellular infiltrates in the dermis. Many septate hyphae were noted within the granulomatous tissue stained with PAS. A fungal culture from biopsy specimen revealed T. rubrum. The cutaneous lesion treated with terbinafine 250 mg daily and 10 weeks later, there was a marked improvement in the lesion.

Successful Treatment of Cerebral Aspergillosis with Liposomal Amphotericin B and Minimal Invasive Surgery in a Patient Who Received Renal Transplant 10 Year Ago / 대한신장학회잡지

Aspergillosis involving central nervous system is a rare but life-threatening complication in renal transplant recipients. Its mortality rate approaches almost 100% in spite of various therapeutic regimens. We here report a case of successful treatment of brain aspergillosis with liposomal amphotericin B and endoscopic surgery. A 58-year- old renal transplant recipient admitted due to headache which was developed 5 months ago. He received renal transplant 10 years ago. After admission, brain MRI revealed brain abscess on frontal lobe and this was treated with antibiotics and amphotericin B. On 20 th hospital day, endoscopic surgery via intranasal approach was performed and pathologic finding was consistent with aspergillosis. During treatment, his graft function was progressively deteriorated(serum creatinine level 2.27 mg/dL 4.1 mg/dL) and amphoterinc B was replaced with ambisome. Thereafter, renal function was improved(serum creatinine 2.0 mg/dL on 46 th hospital day). Second operation was performed on 50 th hospital day to remove remnant pathologic lesion, and ambisome was continously adminstered. The brain MRI which was performed on 70 th hospital day showed much improvement. He was discharged with oral antifungal drug(itraconazole). Our case demonstrates the successful treatment of brain aspergillosis with medial treatment and minimal invasive surgery.

A Case of Cryptococcosis with Skin Involvement in a Liver Transplant Recipient / 대한피부과학회지

Cryptococcosis is a serious opportunistic infection in liver transplant recipients and its incidence ranges between 0.3-1%. The incidence of invasive cryptococcal infection of liver transplant recipient receiving tacrolimus is 6-20 times higher than other immunosuppressants. Furthermore, cutaneous lesions are the most common clinical presentation in this group, whereas meningoencephalitis in other immunosupressed patients. We herein describe a 33-year-old female liver transplant recipient receiving tacrolimus who presented cryptococcal skin infection and fungemia.

Varicella Pneumonia in Adult Following Renal Transplantation / 대한이식학회지

Varicella is usually a benign childhood disease, while in the adult is an infrequent but potentially serious infection. Varicella pneumonia is a potentially life-threatening complication that should be suspected in any adult with chickenpox and respiratory symptoms. In the adult it may be complicated by pneumonia with high morbidity and mortality rates. We present a case of varicella pneumonia complicated the course of chickenpox in the living-related donor renal transplant recipient. A 30-year-old male received an allograft kidney from his father following treatment with cyclosporine and low-dose steroids. Allograft function was stable over the next 27 months. He was admitted hospital with a week history of generalized varicelliform rash, malaise, fever, chills and a cough. Three weeks ago, his nephew (7-year-old) had chickenpox who was living together in the same house. On examination he looked severely ill, febrile and his skin was covered with typical chickenpox eruption. Auscultatory examination was unremarkable while chest X-rays revealed bilateral interstitial infiltration. HRCT findings showed multiple variable sized nodules, patchy ground-glass opacities, and some consolidation in both lower lung. Treament with i.v. acyclovir was started and continued for 10 days. The patient response to the treatment was excellent with complete resolution of pneumonia.

The Effect of the Self Efficacy Promotion and Exercise Training Program of Kidney Transplant Recipients / 간호학회지

This study was attempted to evaluate how the self efficacy promotion and exercise training program effect on the postoperative general conditions of transplant recipients after kidney transplantations. The subjects were selected randomly among the patients who underwent renal trans- plantations at three major transplantation hospitals in Seoul, Korea. This study was carried out between November 1999 and March 2000. The observed subjects in this study consisted of 56 patients. The exercise training group(n=16) received the self efficacy promotion and exercise training program for 12 weeks which contained general knowledge for compliance instruction, exercise training and self efficacy promotion education. The self efficacy group(n=18) received general knowledge for compliance instruction and self efficacy promotion education but no exercise training was given. The control group(n=22) were not offered any education. The knowledge for compliance, self efficacy, physical conditions(weight, muscle strength, muscle endurance, flexibility), lab studies (hemoglobin, creatinine, cholesterol), activities of daily living and quality of life were evaluated 3 times, before the experiment, at 8 weeks and at 12 weeks. The data were analyzed with mean, standard deviation, Chi-square test, ANOVA and Scheff test. The results were as follows: 1. The knowledge and self efficacy score of the exercise training group and self efficacy group were significantly increased than those of the control group(p=.0001). 2. The weight of the exercise training group was significantly decreased compared to those of the self efficacy group and the control group(p=.0001). Muscle strength (grip strength, back lift strength), and flexibility of all 3 groups were significantly changed(p=.0001). However, muscle endurance in all 3 groups showed no significant differences. 3. The hemoglobin level of the exercise training group and the self efficacy group were significantly increased compared to that of the control group(p=.0001) and the cholesterol levels of the exercise training group and the self efficacy group were significantly decreased compared to that of the control group(p=,0001). However, the creatinine levels in all 3 groups showed no significant differences. 4. The activities of daily living scores of the exercise training group was significantly increased than that of the control group (p=.0003), and the quality of life scores of the exercise training group and the self efficacy group were significantly better than that of the control group(p=.0001). It would be expected that this self efficacy promotion and exercise training program could be applied widely as an effective nursing intervention for kidney transplant recipients.

PROBLEMS WORTH EMPHASIS IN ELDERLY RENAL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS / 解放军医学杂志

This paper reported some problems in relation to the elderly renal transplant recipients.Before transplantation,hemodialysis,blood transfusion,water and electrolyte balance and corrections of acidosis.and treatment of diseases of the other systems should be emphasized.Method of treating the athe erotic change in the iliacartery during the operation,and selection of immunosuppressants and dosages were discussed.The prevention and treatment of the postoperative pulmonary infection,septicemia,steroid induct ulcerations of gestrointestinal tract and profound hemorrhage,serious diabetes mellitus and hypertensive encephalopathy after transplantation were also discussed in this paper.