Concordance between estimated glomerular filtration rate using equations and that measured using an imaging method

ABSTRACT Background: Guidelines recommend estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using creatinine-based equations (CBE). Aim: To evaluate the agreement between GFR measured using radionuclide imaging and estimated using creatinine-based equations. Material and Methods: In 421 patients aged 54 ± 17 years (47% women) GFR was estimated using the MDRD-4, CKD-EPI and the body surface adjusted Cockroft Gault equation. GFR was also measured using a radionuclide imaging method with 99mTc-DTPA. The concordance between estimated and measured GFR was calculated using Lin's concordance coefficient and Bland and Altman plots. Results: Average GFR values obtained with CKD-EPI, MDRD-4, body surface adjusted Cockroft Gault equation and 99mTc-DTPA imaging were 75.9 ± 26.6, 76.3 ± 28.8, 77.1 ± 31.6 and 77.9 ± 28.4 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively. There was no significant difference in means and 29% of participants had a GFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 by CKD-EPI. The correlation was good between equations, but acceptable when compared with the 99mTc-DTPA imaging. The weighted kappa between CBEs was good, but low when comparing CBEs with measured GFR. The Lin's concordance coefficient between estimated and measured GFR was low. Conclusions: GFR measured by 99mTc-DTPA radionuclide imaging has a low correlation and poor concordance with estimations using CBE.

Antecedentes: Las guías clínicas recomiendan estimar la tasa de filtración glomerular (TFG) usando ecuaciones basadas en la creatinina sérica. Objetivo: Estudiar la concordancia entre la TFG medida usando un método de imágenes usando radioisótopos y aquella estimada con ecuaciones. Material y Métodos: En 421 pacientes de 54 ± 17 años (47% mujeres), la TFG se estimó utilizando las ecuaciones MDRD-4, CKD-EPI y Cockroft Gault ajustada para superficie corporal. La TFG se midió también con una técnica de imágenes usando 99mTc-DTPA. La concordancia entre la estimación y medición se calculó usando el coeficiente de concordancia de Lin y gráficos de Bland y Altman. Resultados: Los promedios de TFG obtenidos con CKD-EPI, MDRD-4, ecuación de Cockroft Gault e imágenes con 99mTc-DTPA fueron 75,9 ± 26,6, 76,3 ± 28,8, 77,1 ± 31,6 y 77,9 ± 28,4 ml/min/1,73 m2, respectivamente. No hubo diferencias significativas en los promedios y el 29% de los participantes tuvo una TFG < 60 ml/min/1,73 m2. La correlación entre las ecuaciones fue buena, pero sólo aceptable cuando se comparó con la medición por imágenes. El kappa ajustado entre las ecuaciones fue adecuado, pero malo cuando se comparó las ecuaciones con la medición por imágenes. El coeficiente de Lin mostró una baja concordancia entre la estimación y medición de TFG. Conclusiones: La concordancia entre la estimación de TFG usando ecuaciones y su medición directa mediante imágenes es baja.

Histopathology of murine toxoplasmosis under treatment with dialyzable leukocyte extract

BACKGROUND Dialyzable leukocyte extracts (DLEs) contain molecules smaller than 10 kDa with biological activity in receptor organisms. Primarily, they participate in the regulation of the Th1 immune response, which is essential for the control of several intracellular infections, such as toxoplasmosis. This disease is associated with congenital infection, encephalitis or systemic infections in immunocompromised individuals. The clinical course of this infection fundamentally depends on a well-regulated immune response and timely treatment with the appropriate drugs. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of treatment with a leukocyte extract, derived from crocodile lymphoid tissue, on the histopathology and brain parasite load in NIH mice that had been infected with cysts of Toxoplasma gondii (ME-49 strain). METHODS The treatment was applied during the acute and chronic stages of the infection. Histopathological changes were evaluated in the ileum, liver and spleen at one, four and eight weeks after infection and in the brain at week 8. The parasite load was evaluated by counting the cysts of T. gondii found in the brain. FINDINGS Compared to the control mouse group, the mice infected with T. gondii and under treatment with DLE showed less tissue damage, mainly at the intestinal, splenic and hepatic levels. In addition, a greater percentage of survival was observed, and there was a considerable reduction in the parasite load in the brain. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that DLE derived from crocodile is a potential adjunctive therapy in the conventional treatment of toxoplasmosis.

Síndrome de Mounier Kuhn en una paciente de 78 años con fibrosis pulmonar / Mounier Kuhn syndrome in a 78-year-old patient with pulmonary fibrosis

Resumen Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 78 años de edad con fibrosis pulmonar idiopàtica, quien consultó por exacerbación de sus síntomas respiratorios, a quien se le realizan estudios radiológicos, donde se evidencia dilatación de la vía aérea, previamente no descrita, y se realiza diagnóstico de síndrome de Mounier Kuhn. Hasta donde el conocimiento alcanza, es el primer caso reportado en Colombia y la tercera persona de mayor edad reportada en el mundo. Este es un hallazgo incidental, dado que desde el punto de vista fisiopatológico no hay ninguna relación causal entre la fibrosis pulmonar idiopática y el síndrome de Mounier Kuhn. Sin embargo, su presencia puedo afectar aún más el compromiso funcional, dado el eventual colapso de la vía aérea, lo cual puede llevar a intervenciones terapéuticas adicionales, como colocación de stent. (Acta Med Colomb 2017: 42-198-201).

Abstract The case of a 78-year-old woman with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis who consulted for exacerbation of her respiratory symptoms is presented. Radiologic studies showed dilation of the airway that was not previously described, and for this reason the diagnosis of Mounier Kuhn Syndrome was made. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported in Colombia and the third oldest person reported in the world. This is an incidental finding, since from the pathophysiological point of view there is no causal relationship between idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and Mounier Kuhn's syndrome. However, its presence may further affect the functional compromise, given the eventual collapse of the airway, which may lead to additional therapeutic interventions, such as stent placement. (Acta Med Colomb 2017: 42-198-201).