Renal involvement in sepsis: a prospective single-center study of 136 cases.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an independent risk factor for mortality in sepsis syndrome. Few Indian studies have focused on describing the epidemiology of sepsis with AKI. Adult patients with sepsis-induced AKI were evaluated for the clinical characteristics and outcome and to correlate various parameters associated with sepsis to the outcome of patients. This prospective study included 136 patients with sepsis-induced AKI between 2007 and 2009. All patients required renal replacement therapy. Males comprised 44% of the patients while 56% were females; their mean age was 38.6 years. When we compared the survivor and non-survivor groups, it was found that mortality was associated with delayed presentation (6.8 vs 9.4 days), presence of hypotension (132/80 vs 112/70 mmHg), oliguria (300 vs 130 mL), anemia (8 vs 9.3 gm/dL), prolonged prothrombin time (15 vs 29 s) and activated partial thrombin time (38 vs 46 s), creatinine (7.8 vs 6.4 mg/dL), blood urea (161 vs 135 mg/dL), higher D-dimer (1603 vs 2185), short hospital stay (27.9 vs 8.3 days), number of hemodialysis sessions (11.9 vs 6 times), need for vasopressors (14% vs 52%) and ventilator (7.2% vs 75%) and higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (6.7 vs 11.4) (P <0.05). The most com-mon source of infection in this study was urogenital tract (34%). About 51.4% showed complete recovery of renal function. The overall hospital mortality rate was 38.9%. Less than 10% of the patients developed impaired renal function following septic AKI. In conclusion, the most common renal manifestation of sepsis was AKI, which is a risk factor for mortality in sepsis syndrome. SOFA score >11 and multi-organ dysfunction are the risk factors for mortality.

Outcome of renal transplantation in Alport's syndrome: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) nephritis post-renal transplantation (RTx) is known to cause graft loss in Alport's syndrome (AS). We evaluated the results of RTx in AS patients vis à vis patient and graft survivals, incidence of anti-GBM nephritis, and causes of graft failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1993 and 2009 we performed 31 RTx on AS patients (28 males and three females) of overall mean age of 22 ± 7.9 years from six deceased and 27 living donors. Two patients underwent second RTx. RESULTS: Over a follow-up of 1, 3, 5, and 10 years, the mean serum creatinines (mg/dL) were 1.51 ± 0.52, 1.59 ± 0.26, 1.61 ± 0.30, and 1.63 ± 0.32, respectively. Patient survivals at 1, 5, and 10 years were 89.71%, 81.32% and 81.32% with graft survival for all periods of 81.2%. Twenty-one percent experienced biopsy-proven acute rejection episodes. Graft failures were due to anti-GBM nephritis in 12.2% (n = 4), chronic allograft nephropathy in 3.2% (n = 1), and acute rejection or cyclosporine toxicity 3.2% (n = 1 each). The mean duration to graft loss was 4.9 ± 2.4 months. CONCLUSION: Graft and patient survivals were acceptable among transplant recipients with AS despite the risk of anti-GBM nephritis.

Safety and efficacy of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers in chronic allograft injury.

Angiotensin II plays a crucial role in the development of chronic allograft injury (CAI). Clinical experience with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor blockade (ARBS) in CAI has unfortunately been limited. We carried out a prospective one year single center case controlled study to analyze the effect of ACEI /ARBS on the progression of CAI and in decreasing proteinuria. One hundred patients with CAI were evaluated. Of the 100 patients, 50 were selected to receive ACEI/ ARBS (group 1) and 50 managed without ACEI/ARBS (group 2). Their remaining management was similar in both the groups. Patients with hyperkalemia, history of allergic reactions, ACEI/ARBS intake and pregnancy were excluded. Average time for development of CAI was 19.6 ± 12.7 months in group 1 vs. 20.8 ± 12.8 in group 2. In group 1, mean systolic/diastolic BP was 136/82 mmHg at the time of establishment of CAI and 124/76 mmHg at the end of one year, and in group 2, it was 138/86 mmHg vs. 126/80 mmHg, respectively. Mean glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 48.78 ± 13.4 in the former vs. 44.23 ± 8.14 in the latter. ACEI/ARBS administration was associated with stabilization of serum creatinine. GFR was maintained up to one year after CAI. Group 1 had a decrease in proteinuria by 1.41 g/day as compared with group 2 with proteinuria of 0.83 g/day. ACEI/ARBS administration is beneficial in CAI for BP control and significant decrease in proteinuria along with the stabilization of graft function.

Deceased donor organ transplantation: A single center experience.

Renal transplantation (RTx) is the best therapeutic modality for patient suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Deceased donor organ transplantation (DDOT) accounts for <4% of RTx in India. We report 4 years single centre experience on DDOT vis-à-vis patient/graft survival, graft function in terms of serum creatinine (SCr), rejection episodes, and delayed graft function in 160 DDOT. Between January 2006 to December 2009, 160 RTx from 89 donors were performed, of which 25.2% were expanded criteria donors. Majority of the donors were brain dead due to road traffic/cerebrovascular accidents. The commonest recipient diseases leading to ESRD were chronic glomerulonephritis (49%), diabetes mellitus (10%), and benign nephrosclerosis (10%). Mean recipient/donor age was 35.6±14.68 and 44.03±18.19 years. Mean dialysis duration pretransplantation was 15.37±2.82 months. Mean cold ischemia time was 5.56±2.04 hours. All recipients received single dose rabbit-anti-thymocyte globulin induction and steroids, mycophenolate mofetil/calcinueurin inhibitor for maintenance of immunosuppression. Delayed graft function was observed in 30.6% patients and 14% had biopsy proven acute rejection. Over mean follow-up of 2.35±1.24 years, patient and graft survival rates were 77.5% and 89.3% with mean SCr of 1.40±0.36 mg/dl. DDOT has acceptable graft/patient survival over 4 years follow-up and should be encouraged in view of organ shortage.

Lupus nephritis associated with CD20+ B-cell NHL.

The combination of NHL and documented malignancy-associated glomerulonephritis is uncommon. Also, no single renal pathological entity is consistently found in patients with NHL. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection may manifest as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and/or diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in a genetically/ immunologically susceptible individual with defective cytotoxic T-cell response against EBV. We describe lupus nephritis in a 45 years old male suffering from untreated NHL. CD20+ DLBCL was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry of the neck lymph node (LN) biopsy performed for generalized lymphadenopathy. Renal biopsy revealed class V + IV lupus nephritis. Serology demonstrated EBV infection. Complete clinical remission of both SLE and DLBCL was achieved post-therapy with six-cycle rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristin, adriablastin, methylprednisolone (R-CHOP) regime. This case report demonstrated the complex relationships between NHL, SLE, EBV and membranous glomerulonephritis. The presented case is remarkable not only because of the rare association of SLE and DLBCL, but also because of its successful treatment with R-CHOP.

Acute renal failure in the pediatric age group - single center prospective study of 180 cases.

Acute renal failure (ARF) is one of the common emergencies in pediatric practice. In the Indian subcontinent, its etiology, clinical features and outcome vary from other parts of the world. We decided to perform a prospective study of ARF in 180 pediatric patients admitted to our institute between August 2006 and March 2008. Our study included children, neonates 7.8%, <1 year 16.7%, 1-5 years 30.5% and >5 years comprised 52.8%. The male:female ratio was 2.3:1. Acute tubular necrosis remains the major cause of ARF; other intrinsic renal disease accounted for almost 30% of the patients. In all patients of ARF who required dialysis, peritoneal dialysis was offered as the first-line management. Six patients were offered hemodialysis. Mortality below one year age was higher compared with those who were more than one year of age (40% vs 11.3%). The overall mortality in the present study was 17.7%. ARF in pediatric nephrology is not uncommon. In our setup, peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an effective and safe modality of renal replacement therapy in most of the cases. Delayed referral, malnutrition, infections, age less than one year and multiorgan involvement were bad prognostic features.

Mucormycosis in renal transplant recipients: predictors and outcome.

Mucormycosis, though uncommon, is associated with high mortality in transplant recipients. This study was conducted to assess the incidence and risk factors associated with mucor infection and its outcome. We retrospectively reviewed the hospital records for evidence of mucor infection in patients transplanted between January 2005 and December 2009 at the Department of Nephrology and Clinical Transplantation (IKDRC), Civil Hospital Campus, Asarwa, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. The patient demographics, symptoms, diagnostic techniques and outcomes were analyzed. Out of a total of 1,330 transplants, 16 patients (1.20%) had evidence of mucor infection, including 14 males and two females. The mean age of the patients was 43.8 years. The time interval between transplantation and disease onset varied greatly (range: 1 month to 7 years; median 13.8 months). The presenting symptoms were fever (87.5%), severe headache (56.2%), facial swelling (56.2%), watering of eyes (56.2%), cough (31.2%), respiratory distress (18.7%) and pain abdomen (12.5%). Suspected patients were evaluated by computerized tomographic (CT) scan/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and biopsy, and the diagnosis was confirmed by culture. Of the 16 patients studied, nine had rhinocerebral mucormycosis, five had pulmonary mucormycosis and one case each had infection at the graft anastmosis site and disseminated mucormycosis. Early and intensive treatment with liposomal amphotericin-B was instituted in all patients, and extensive debridement was performed in addition in 11 cases, and one patient was subjected to graft nephrectomy; 10 patients (62.5%) survived. Our study suggests that rhinocerebral is the most frequent site of mucormycosis and it can occur very early or late in the post-transplant period. Early diagnosis and combined surgical debridement and parenteral liposomal amphotericin-B along with reduction of immunosuppression improve the patient survival.

Post-exposure prophylaxis for H1N1 with oseltamivir in renal allograft recipient--safe and effective without any immunosuppresive drug interaction.

Kidney transplant recipients are at a high risk for H1N1 infection associated complications during the current pandemic. Prevention of infection by immunization, together with early recognition and prompt antiviral treatment are critical. Post-exposure prophylaxis of H1N1 with oseltamivir was safe, effective and well tolerated to prevent H1N1 influenza A virus infection in newly transplanted renal allograft recipient receiving triple immunosuppression without any interaction with tacrolimus level. Oseltamivir was effective for post-exposure prophylaxis of H1N1 in close contact.

Hemodialysis through persistent left superior vena cava.

We report a case of end stage renal disease patient who displayed a persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) after placement of hemodialysis (HD) catheter through left internal jugular vein, as revealed by routine post-procedure X-ray chest. The diagnosis of PLSVC was confirmed by arterial blood gas, two-dimensional echocardiography, computed tomography thorax and angiographic examination. This anomaly is rather rare; few studies on safety of PLSVC for HD have been reported. The catheter was uneventfully used for HD for 2 months with careful continuous monitoring and removed after arteriovenous fistula was successfully cannulated. Physicians who place HD catheters in the left jugular/subclavian vein should be aware of the existence of PLSVC.

Successful treatment of critically ill chronic kidney disease patient with multi-organ dysfunction associated with H1N1 infection.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are at higher risk of H1N1 influenza A infection and associated complications. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a febrile CKD patient with multi-organ dysfunction and associated H1N1 virus infection successfully treated with oseltamivir, hemodialysis, and mechanical ventilation. Oseltamivir is safe, effective, and well tolerated in our CKD patient.

Transplantation with kidney paired donation to increase the donor pool: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: A living either related or unrelated donor transplant leads to a better outcome in terms of patient and graft survivals compared with one from a deceased donor. Desensitization protocols are expensive and labor intensive. The use of unrelated living donors has the greatest potential to increase the number of donors in the future, when no willing living donor is available due to blood group and/or human leukocyte antigen incompatibility. Herein, we have reported our results with a living donor exchange program. AIMS: To determine the feasibility and effectiveness of kidney paired donation (KPD) to manage patients with incompatible donors as well as present patient and graft survivals, serum creatinine (S.Cr) levels, and rejection episodes. RESULTS: Between June 2000 and December 2009, we performed KPD transplants in 36 recipients to avoid blood group incompatibility (n = 28) or to avoid a positive crossmatch (n = 8). At a median follow-up of 27.7 months (range, 5.83-119.8). The patient survival rate was 88.9% and the graft survival rate was 94.4%. Four patients developed acute cellular rejection episodes (11.1%) and 3 (8.3%) acute antibody-mediated rejection. At 1, 3, and 5 years, the mean S.Cr values were 1.42 ± 0.28 mg% (n = 28) 1.61 ± 0.51 (n = 22) and 1.24 ± 0.15 (n = 8), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of acute rejection episodes and patient/graft survivals were acceptable in our KPD program. The use of unrelated living donors has great potential to increase the number of donors in the future; a national KPD program should be encouraged in India.

Operational tolerance in living-related renal transplantation: a single-center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Various methods have been tried to induce operational tolerance in organ transplantation. We present a single-center experience using 6 tolerance induction protocols (TIP) in living-related renal transplantation. METHODS: We evaluated 6 TIP protocols: (1) peripheral blood stem cells employed (n = 38); (2) midified the protocol by portal infusion (n = 292); (3) the second protocol plus TIP+DST+BM+intrathymic and intramarrow infusion plus low-dose, nonmyeloablative conditioning employed (n = 174), (4) the third protocol of TIP plus cultured hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) with target-specific irradiation (n = 290); (5) TIP 4 plus thymus, intramarrow infusion, and target-specific irradiation converted to total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) (n = 366); and (6) TIP 5 plus bortzomib-TLI (n = 165). Patient/donor demographics were comparable. RESULTS: We evaluated patient and graft survival, rejection episodes, recurrence, drug toxicity, and chimerism revealed; groups 4 and 5 showed better survival, graft function, chimerism, and decreased rejection episodes compared with previous protocols. Serum creatinine (mg/dL) at 1 year was 1.5, 1.39, 1.5, 1.51, 1.46, and 1.41, and at 5 years, 1.69, 1.72, 1.82 and 1.59, in groups 1-6, respectively. Chronic rejection episodes were 10.5%, 14.1%, 10.4%, 9.3%, 3.5%, 1.7%, and 1.8% respectively. Patient survival of groups 1, 2, and 3 at 1, 5, and 10 years was 86.5%, 56.8%, and 40.1%; 89.4%, 69.1%, and 56.4%; and 89.6%, 67.7%, and 64.6%, respectively; of group 4 for 1 and 5 years was 92.4% and 81.8%; for groups 5 and 6 for 1 year was 94% and 96.3%, respectively. The death-censored graft survival of groups 1, 2, and 3 at 1, 5, and 10 years was 91.9%, 70.3%, and 64.7%; 89%, 66%, and 57.6%; and 86.7%, 67%, and 42.5%, respectively. In group 4 for 1 and 5 years was 87.9% and 74.7%; and for groups 5 and 6 for 1 year was 94% and 96.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: TIP results showed improved graft/patient survivals, minimum immunosuppression, and fewer rejection episodes and recurrence.

Immunoglobulin M nephropathy nephropathy in adults and adolescents in India: a single-center study of natural history.

BACKGROUND: Immunoglobulin M nephropathy (IgMN) is an idiopathic glomerulonephritis (GN) usually presenting clinically as steroid resistant/dependent nephrotic syndrome (NS) with pathology of mesangial proliferative GN or focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis with diffuse predominant mesangial IgM deposits. Not much information is available about its natural history. This is the first Indian study to our knowledge on IgMN in adults and adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated renal biopsies performed at our center between January,'04 to September,'09. Biopsies of all adolescents and adults were evaluated for IgMN and we studied their age, gender distribution, blood pressure (BP), disease duration, steroid/immunosuppressive management and serial serum creatinine (SCr), urinary proteins, and BP values. Patients with other systemic diseases/infections and children were excluded. RESULTS: IgMN constituted 4.3% of 2702 adult renal biopsies. No significant gender predilection was noted. Males presented at average age of 23.1 years, females at 30 years. Steroid-dependent NS was the commonest presentation noted in 75% followed by steroid-resistant NS. Hypertension was noted in 10% patients. Mesangial proliferative GN (MePGN) was commonest histopathological finding noted in 74.4%, followed by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in 16.2%, and minimal change disease (MCD) in 9.4% biopsies. Sole IgM deposits were noted in 88.5%. All MCD, 35.6% MePGN reached remission, FSGS progressed to renal failure by 1 year. Hypertension, proteinuria, interstitial fibrosis, and FSGS were bad prognosticators. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first Indian study of IgMN in adults and adolescents carried out over a period of 5.8 years, which has shown that hypertension, proteinuria, and interstitial fibrosis at presentation have bad prognosis.

High mortality in critically ill patients infected with 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) with pneumonia and acute kidney injury.

Patients infected with H1N1 virus may develop pneumonia and acute kidney injury (AKI). To determine the epidemiological characteristics, clinical features, management and out-comes of patients with confirmed H1N1 complicated by pneumonia and AKI and treatment with oseltamivir and to identify the prognostic indicators, we studied all the patients with a confirmed diagnosis of H1N1 infection with pneumonia and AKI, using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, between October 2009 and March 2010. H1N1 infection was confirmed in 20 patients with pneumonia and AKI; the mean age was 42.8 ± 18.2 years and 12 (60%) of the patients were males. Eleven patients were between 15 and 50 years of age, and 15 had preexisting medical conditions. All patients had fever, cough, dyspnea or respiratory distress, increased serum lactate dehydrogenase levels, pneumonia and AKI. Fifteen (75%) patients required mechanical ventilation and 14 (70%) died. None of the health care workers developed influenza-like illness, when they received oseltamivir prophylaxis. Mortality was associated with higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (SOFA), Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score (MODS), XRChest score, in addition to requirement of inotrope, ventilator support, renal replacement therapy (RRT), and presence of underlying risk factor for severe disease.

Expanded criteria donor kidneys for younger recipients: acceptable outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: European senior programme (ESP) is well known for acceptable outcomes using expanded criteria donor (ECD) kidneys from donors older than 65 years for recipients older than 65 years. The incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is 229/million in India with a mean age of 45 years. We performed a retrospective analysis of transplantation of ECD versus standard criteria donor (SCD) kidneys into younger recipients. METHODS: Forty-three ECD transplantations among 158 deceased donor organ transplantation (DDOT) were performed between January 2006 and December 2009. Among 43 transplantation from 30 donors, 14 were dual kidney transplantations (DKT) performed based upon biopsy evaluation. All recipients received thymoglobulin (rATG) induction followed by immunosuppression with a steroid, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and a calcineurin inhibitor. Statistical analysis used chi-square test and unpaired Student t test. Kaplan-Meier curves were used for survival analysis. RESULTS: For ECD the mean donor age was 64 ± 11 years. Cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) were the cause of death among 60% of donors, 73.13% of whom were hypertensive and 23.13% diabetic. Mean DKT donor age was 75 ± 9.17 years versus 60 ± 8.0 years for single kidney transplantation (SKT). Mean recipient age of DKT versus SKT was 44 ± 12.4 years versus 43 ± 14 years. Mean serum creatinine (SCr; mg/dL) of SKT patients was 1.64 ± 0.75 versus 1.68 ± 0.46 in DKT. Mean follow-up was 455 ± 352 days. Mean SCr of 43 ECD recipients of mean age, 43.4 ± 14.2 years was 1.61 ± 0.61 mg/dL. Among 43 recipients, 23.25% were diabetic, 41.86% displayed delayed graft function (DGF), and 23.25% experienced biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR). Patient survival rate was 72.09% and graft survival rate was 67.44%. For SCD transplantations (n = 115), the mean donor age was 36 ± 14 years and recipient mean age was 32.8 ± 14.07 years. Mean SCr was 1.32 ± 0.46 mg/dL with 26.95% recipients displaying DGF, whereas 20.86% had BPAR. In the SCD group the patient survival rate was 79.13% and the graft survival rate was 72.17%. Thus, although the ECD group showed poor graft function (P = .042), they had acceptable patient and graft survivals (P = .34 and P = .56, respectively). CONCLUSION: Because of the organ shortage, DDOT using ECD transplants for younger recipients is a feasible option with acceptable outcomes.

Deceased donor organ transplantation with expanded criteria donors: a single-center experience from India.

INTRODUCTION: Deceased donor organ transplantation (DDOT) accounts for <4% of renal transplants in India. Many volunteers come forth for organ donation with increasing awareness; unfortunately, the majority are marginal donors, but their rejection would hamper the DDOT program. Judicious use of marginal organs is a challenge for developing countries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed 29 renal transplants from 21 expanded criteria donors (ECD) out of 115 DDOT between January 2006 to April 2009-10 dual (DKT) and 19 single (SKT). Fourteen donors had hypertension, a cerebrovascular accident as the cause of death, 9 had both, and 4 had diabetes. Mean donor age was 70.3 +/- 8.9 years. Decisions on the procedure were based upon frozen section biopsy in 13 of 21 donors. Mean DKT donor age was 76 +/- 9.7 years versu 64 +/- 5.7 years of SKT donors. The native kidney diseases were chronic glomerulonephritis (n = 14), diabetic nephropathy (n = 7), tubulointerstitial nephritis (n = 4) and polycystic kidney disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, lupus nephritis and patchy cortical necrosis, (n = 1 each). Mean recipient age of DKT versus SKT was 43.5 versus 42.3 years. All recipients received rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin, followed by steroid, mycophenolate mofetil/calcinueurin inhibitor. RESULTS: Over a mean follow-up of 341 days, the mean serum creatinine (SCr) of 25/29 patients was 1.60 mg/dL (range, 1.0-2.6). The mean SCr of SKT patients was 1.59 +/- 0.63 mg/dL and of DKT, 1.62 +/- 0.48 mg/dL. Ten patients had delayed graft function and 11 had biopsy proven acute tubular necrosis. Seven (24%) patients had rejection (grade 3 Banff update '05, type IA; 4, type 2A); 6 responded to antirejection; 1 graft was lost at 7 months due to chronic rejection. Three (10.3%) patients were lost, 1 each due to AMI, sepsis, and CMV disease. CONCLUSION: In the circumstances of organ shortage, DDOT with expanded criteria donor is a feasible option.

Posttransplant diabetes mellitus: a single-center study.

BACKGROUND: Posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a common complication of renal transplantation. We evaluated risk factors for PTDM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective evaluation of 1112 patients transplanted from January 2001 to July 2007 was performed based on PTDM diagnosis using The American Diabetes Association criteria. After informed consent, The Ahmedabad Tolerance induction protocol (ATIP) was carried out in 846 of 988 living-related donor (LRD) cases versus 266 who underwent grafting under conventional immunosuppression (controls). RESULTS: PTDM was observed in 6.6% ATIP and 19.1% controls. Mean body mass index increased by 5.2% posttransplant among PTDM versus 1.2% in non-PTDM patients. There were 14.2% hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive patients treated with ATIP, 27.5% among the controls; 8.3% of ATIP patients developed PTDM versus 15.4% of controls. Mean PTDM age was 43.6 years versus 41.4 years in the non-PTDM group. In ATIP, 20% HCV-positive patients were on tacrolimus versus 33.3% of controls. Antirejection therapy was necessary in 5.3% ATIP, 31.6% controls with 20% of both cohorts developing PTDM. For PTDM control, none of the ATIP subjects required insulin but 39.3%, oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA) and 60.7% diet versus 22.2% of controls on insulin, 37% OHA, and 40.7% diet control. ATIP showed higher chances of PTDM in the early posttransplant period versus delayed-onset in the controls. Calcineurin inhibitors increased PTDM risk. Mean serum creatinine in PTDM was comparable in all groups. HCV positivity increased PTDM risk with 20% to 33% cumulative effect of bolus steroid and tacrolimus therapy. CONCLUSION: Risk factors for PTDM were higher HCV positivity, BMI, and use of tacrolimus, cyclosporine or pulse steroids. ATIP seemed to be safer than the controls.

Postrenal transplant hemolytic uremic syndrome/thrombotic microangiopathy: Ahmedabad experience.

BACKGROUND: Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)/thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) (tissue-limited HUS) is a well-recognized serious complication of renal transplantation, affecting 3% to 14% patients who are administered calcineurin inhibitor-based immunosuppression. We performed a retrospective study to examine the incidence, etiology, course, and outcome of HUS/TMA in our experience. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study of 1540 renal allograft biopsies performed between January 2000 and October 2007 was performed to assess the incidence of HUS/TMA. Institute Transplant Registry records were reviewed for clinical history, laboratory findings, medications, and outcome. The offending drug was substituted in all subjects and plasmapheresis was added as an adjuvant until recovery of allograft function. RESULTS: TMA was observed in 17 (1.1%) biopsies. Two of 17 patients experienced recurrent HUS; 15 were drug-induced (12 with cyclosporine, three with Sirolimus); 10 were TMA; and five HUS. Nine patients developed HUS/TMA within 3 months of transplantation with eight developing it within 1 year posttransplantation. Graft function recovered in 12, while five did not recover. The HUS group showed 60% recovery compared with 80% among the TMA group. Two patients were lost; both displayed HCV seropositivity and one also showed anti-cardiolipin antibody. CONCLUSION: Early allograft biopsy with prompt diagnosis and management by drug substitution +/- plasmapheresis in posttransplant HUS/TMA plays an important role in allograft outcome. TMA showed better recovery than HUS.

Pregnancy-related acute renal failure: A single-center experience.

Pregnancy-related acute renal failure (ARF) is a common occurrence and is associated with substantial maternal and fetal mortality. It also bears a high risk of bilateral renal cortical necrosis. We conducted this study to evaluate the contributing factors and to assess the frequency of cortical necrosis. In this prospective study, of the 772 patients with ARF admitted at our institute between January 2004 and May 2006, 70 had ARF associated with pregnancy complications. ARF was diagnosed by documenting oliguria (urine output <400 ml/d) or mounting azotemia in the presence of normal urine output. (serum creatinine >2 mg%). Renal biopsy was performed if a patient was found to be oliguric or required dialysis support at the end of three weeks. The incidence of pregnancy-related ARF was 9.06%. Approximately 20% cases occurred due to postabortal complications in early pregnancy and 80% following complications in late pregnancy. Puerperal sepsis was the most common etiological factor in 61.42% of the patients. Preeclampsia accounted for 28.57% of ARF. Two-thirds of patients recovered with dialysis and supportive care. The incidence of biopsy proven renal cortical necrosis was 14.8% (10 of the 70 patients). The incidence of renal cortical necrosis was 28.57% in the early pregnancy group and 10.71% in the late pregnancy group. Postabortal sepsis was the most common precipitating event for renal cortical necrosis. Maternal mortality was 18.57%. Sepsis accounted for a majority of deaths (61.53%). Pregnancy-related ARF is common in western India. Puerperal sepsis is the most frequent etiological factor. Renal cortical necrosis is common and postabortal sepsis was the most common precipitating event. Sepsis accounted for a majority of maternal mortality.