Splenic Infarcts and Pulmonary Renal Syndrome in a Young Patient with Double-Positive Anti-GBM and ANCA-Associated Vasculitis.

Double-positive disease, defined by double-seropositivity for serum anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibodies and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) is a rare cause of pulmonary-renal syndrome. Here, we present an exceptional course of a 20-year-old male with seropositivity for anti-myeloperoxidase anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and anti-GBM antibody, who presented first with renal impairment due to focal necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis. After receiving treatment, he presented two years later with a relapse manifesting with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and multiple splenic infarcts. We discuss the clinical presentation patterns and treatment strategies of this entity.

Multi National Survey of the Advice Given to Muslim Kidney Graft Recipients by Muslim Nephrologists about Lifestyle and Religious Rituals with Potential Medical Risk.

Muslim renal transplant recipients often ask their physicians if performing certain lifestyles or religious obligations may be harmful to their health. Permissibility as advised by an expert Muslim physician is considered as being religiously accepted. A cross-sectional, survey-based study was conducted enquiring what nephrologists would advise their transplant recipients to do, about some lifestyles and religious duties. Fifty-eight nephrologists responded to the survey. Of these, 77% routinely follow-up post-transplant patients; 34% were from Saudi Arabia, 18% from the USA, and 20% from Pakistan. Fifty-four percent of the respondents would let patients with stable graft function fast during Ramadan, while 20% would not recommend fasting at any time following transplantation. This response did not change much if the patient was diabetic although in these patients, not recommending fasting at any time increased to 32%. For kidney donors, fasting would be allowed by 58% of the respondents once the kidney function stabilizes. About 50% would let their patients perform Omrah or obligatory Hajj any time after 12 months following transplantation, and only about 3% would not recommend that at any time after transplantation. For nonobligatory Hajj, 37% and 22%, respectively, would allow. Sixty-one percent would delay the pregnancy in nullipara with stable renal function, and none of the nephrologists would deny the opportunity to pregnancy at any time. In multiparous transplant recipients, the respective frequencies would be 45% and 20%. To our knowledge, this the first study exploring the consensus among Muslim nephrologists regarding the advice they would give on performance of potentially risky lifestyles and religious rituals by Muslim posttransplant patients.

A case of advanced chronic kidney disease with severe hypocalcemia, how to safely manage and dialyze?

Patients often present with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) complicated with severe hypocalcemia that may be accompanied by electrocardiographic changes. The management of this kind of patients may require hemodialysis (HD). However, initiation of renal replacement therapy in this scenario needs special attention to avoid complications such as cardiac arrhythmias. A 22-year-old male presented to our emergency department with severe renal failure, hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, severe acidosis, and QT prolongation on electrocardiography. The patient was kept in the emergency department under cardiac monitoring. He was started on IV calcium gluconate 1 g every 6 h aiming to increase his adjusted calcium level to 1.8 mmol/L. He subsequently received the first HD session with low blood flow, increased calcium, and decreased bicarbonate dialysate bath. There were no arrhythmias or hemodynamic instability. Intravenous calcium was discontinued; adjusted calcium improved progressively after dialysis and reached 1.9 mmol/L by the time of discharge and after receiving three sessions of HD. This case describes a not so infrequent presentation of advanced renal impairment with profound hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia in the setting of CKD-associated mineral bone disorder. Intravenous calcium administration may promote vascular and metastatic calcification, particularly with the coexistence of hyperphosphatemia, and hence, it is best avoided. There are no guidelines to direct initiating HD in this context. However, it appears that using a high calcium bath is prudent to minimize cardiovascular complications, particularly if there is the prolongation of the corrected QT interval on electrocardiography.

Attendees' feedback on king abdulaziz medical city pilot chronic kidney disease education class.

Despite similar or better patient outcomes, peritoneal dialysis and pre-emptive kidney transplantation are underutilized in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, most patients with end-stage renal disease begin dialysis in unplanned fashion necessitating the commencement of dialysis using central venous catheter access. We aimed to investigate if early patient education can help in overcoming these barriers. The study is a survey-based study at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh Dialysis Center. In January 2017, we started a monthly Chronic Kidney Disease Education Class in our center. Since then, 14 classes have taken place attended by 54 patients referred from outpatient nephrology clinics with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages IV and V. The mean age was 51.6 years (16-85); 32 of the attendees were male and 22 were female. The class consisted of a slide informative presentation, a display of educational materials, and interactions with a multidisciplinary team from dialysis, transplantation, vascular access, and dietician services. A feedback survey was given to attendees at the conclusion of the class covering three domains; speakers, the program, and their personal reflections. Feedback options were laid out as "excellent, very good, good, fair, and poor." All class attendees responded to the questionnaire (100% response rate). The overall class evaluation was positive with the majority of attendees giving "excellent" rating for the speakers and the educational materials covered. Most thought that the class made them understand CKD nature better and helped them choose the right modality of renal replacement therapy. This initiative proves the feasibility of a sustained and attendee-gratifying education class to inform patients with advanced CKD about different options of renal replacement therapy and the need for timely preparation. To objectively measure the class's effect, the next phase of this review will define the ultimate outcome of each of its attendees.

The use of vasopressin receptor antagonists in hyponatremia.

INTRODUCTION: Considerable data have recently characterized hyponatremia as fairly common in the intensive care and general hospital settings. Moreover, mounting evidence suggests the association of mild degrees of hyponatremia with untoward neurocognitive and musculoskeletal outcomes. A key development in our ability to treat hyponatremia was the introduction and approval of aquaretics (vaptans). These vasopressin receptor antagonists work by increasing electrolyte-free water excretion and thus raising serum sodium concentration. AREAS COVERED: This review presents a diagnostic approach for hyponatremia and discusses some therapeutic considerations. It displays new evidence linking mild chronic hyponatremia with unfavorable outcomes and examines the available treatment options and their limitations and strengths. New data on vaptans and their potential role to treat hyponatremia in different clinical settings are reviewed. EXPERT OPINION: Vaptans are likely to play an important role in treating hyponatremia, given their clinical efficacy and tolerability. High cost remains an impediment for vaptans, and more studies are needed to further define their best use in hyponatremic patients.

Hyponatremia: diagnosis, complications, and management including V2 receptor antagonists.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Recent studies have consistently demonstrated the common prevalence of hyponatremia in the hospital and intensive care settings, and how it correlates with untoward outcomes. This review discusses the classification, diagnosis, and pathophysiology of hyponatremia and how these agents may influence its management, and also examines the available treatment options and their weaknesses and strengths. RECENT FINDINGS: This review is timely and relevant, as mild degrees of serum sodium lowering may be associated with adverse neurologic and musculoskeletal effects. These findings have the potential to transform our approach to managing hyponatremia. A major advance in our ability to treat hyponatremia was the introduction and approval of aquaretics (vaptans). Emerging data on vaptans and their potential role to treat hyponatremia in the settings of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, congestive heart failure, and liver cirrhosis are presented. SUMMARY: Vaptans will likely play an important role in treating hyponatremia, given their clinical effectiveness and tolerability. Cost remains a hindrance for vaptans, and more studies are needed to further define their best utilization in hyponatremic patients.

Rates and causes of peritonitis in a National Multicenter Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis program in Sudan: first-year experience.

This is a cumulative report of all patients in six centers in Greater Khartoum, all three cities that comprise the capital of Sudan, covering the first year of operation of the National Program. This study evaluates the rates, mechanisms, causative agents and clinical outcomes of peritonitis. We included the data of all 60 patients who underwent CAPD from June 2005 to June 2006. There were 15 episodes of peritonitis in 323 patient-months, which equates to an overall peritonitis rate of one episode every 21.5 months (0.55 episodes per year at risk). The individual center rates varied. There was a statistically significant age difference, with peritonitis being more common in the youngsters. All patients presented with abdominal pain and had cloudy effluents but none had a significant exit site or tunnel infection. Fluid cultures were available in 11 out of the 15 episodes of peritonitis. The cultures were positive for organisms in only 3 out of 11 (27%) cases. Two patients were infected by Pseudomonas aerogenosa and one patient by Staphylococcus aureus. Thus, the culture-negative peritonitis rate was 8/11 (73%). Touch contamination was the likely mechanism in 7/15 (46.7%) of the episodes. There were three cases of refractory peritonitis and only one case of relapsing peritonitis. None of the patients had a catheter removed because of peritonitis. We conclude that the first year of operation of the Sudan National Multi-centered PD program has proven that it is a promising project with multifaceted success. The cumulative peritonitis incidence is acceptable although there are several areas for improvement. Standardized laboratory techniques need to be implemented and pursued, particularly in the microbiology area.

Peritoneal dialysis in the Sudan.

BACKGROUND: End-stage renal disease is a significant social and economic burden on the Sudan. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) was recently introduced as a national service and is provided free of charge by the Federal State. We present here an overview of our experience and outcomes after the first 20 months of operation of the National Program, displaying its organization and patient and technique survival, peritonitis rates, and adequacy parameters of the first patients to undergo CAPD. METHODS: As a national experiment, the program was sequentially launched in 5 adult and 2 pediatric centers in Khartoum, the capital city of the country. The data include the entire 111 patients who underwent CAPD from June 2005 to January 2007. All data were reported to, and analyzed at, the head office of the Sudan National Peritoneal Dialysis Program. RESULTS: CAPD is the modality exclusively utilized thus far. Automated PD will be added to the program this year. By 30 January 2007, the total number of patients enrolled was 111. Their age range was 1 - 75 (median 56) years. 20 patients (18%) were shifted to hemodialysis and 5 patients received living related kidney transplants. Two died of severe septicemia due to peritonitis; 16 (14%) others died of non-PD-related causes. There were 60 cases of peritonitis in 839 patient-months, which equates to an overall peritonitis rate of 1 episode every 14 months (0.87 episodes per year at risk). The individual center rates varied. A critical review of cases at the end of the first year showed a statistically significant age difference, with peritonitis being more common in the younger patients. Mean age of patients that developed peritonitis was 30.53 years, whereas that for peritonitis-free patients was 44.09 years (p = 0.025). All patients that had peritonitis presented with abdominal pain and had a cloudy effluent; none had exit-site or tunnel infection. The culture-negative peritonitis rate was 53%. Pseudomonas species were responsible for 13.3% and Staphylococcus aureus for 6.7%. Touch contamination was the likely mechanism behind 46.7% of the episodes. There were 3 cases of refractory peritonitis and a single case of relapsing peritonitis. Concerning PD adequacy, average Kt/V urea was 1.74; weekly creatinine clearance was 62.5 L/1.73 m(2). Average normalized protein catabolic rate, as a measure of dietary protein intake in patients in a steady state, was 1.17 g/kg. These measures indicate that the overall program adequacy was satisfactory and the values fall within the recommended ranges. CONCLUSION: The first 20 months of operation of the Sudan's National Peritoneal Dialysis Program have proven that it is a promising project with multifaceted success. The adequacy indicators are acceptable but the cumulative peritonitis incidence is above that recommended, indicating several areas for potential improvement. Although CAPD is highly cost-effective, ongoing difficulties, including the cost of medications and laboratory tests, are being sorted out with official support and public involvement.

Schistosomal colitis without granuloma formation in a kidney transplant recipient.

BACKGROUND: A 40-year-old male from the White Nile region in Sudan, who had received a kidney transplant 6 years previously, presented with fever, lower abdominal pain and diarrhea stained with blood of 5 months duration. He was on immunosuppressive maintenance therapy, consisting of ciclosporin 75 mg twice daily, prednisolone 10 mg once daily, and azathioprine 75 mg once daily. INVESTIGATIONS: Laboratory investigations, liver function tests, renal function tests, stool microscopy, stool culture, abdominal ultrasound, and colonoscopy. DIAGNOSIS: Severe, left-sided colitis due to Schistosoma mansoni infection, without granuloma formation. MANAGEMENT: Oral antischistosomal therapy with praziquantel at a dose of 40 mg/kg body weight.