Endothelial activation and damage as a common pathological substrate in different pathologies and cell therapy complications.

The endothelium is a biologically active interface with multiple functions, some of them common throughout the vascular tree, and others that depend on its anatomical location. Endothelial cells are continually exposed to cellular and humoral factors, and to all those elements (biological, chemical, or hemodynamic) that circulate in blood at a certain time. It can adapt to different stimuli but this capability may be lost if the stimuli are strong enough and/or persistent in time. If the endothelium loses its adaptability it may become dysfunctional, becoming a potential real danger to the host. Endothelial dysfunction is present in multiple clinical conditions, such as chronic kidney disease, obesity, major depression, pregnancy-related complications, septic syndromes, COVID-19, and thrombotic microangiopathies, among other pathologies, but also in association with cell therapies, such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and treatment with chimeric antigen receptor T cells. In these diverse conditions, evidence suggests that the presence and severity of endothelial dysfunction correlate with the severity of the associated disease. More importantly, endothelial dysfunction has a strong diagnostic and prognostic value for the development of critical complications that, although may differ according to the underlying disease, have a vascular background in common. Our multidisciplinary team of women has devoted many years to exploring the role of the endothelium in association with the mentioned diseases and conditions. Our research group has characterized some of the mechanisms and also proposed biomarkers of endothelial damage. A better knowledge would provide therapeutic strategies either to prevent or to treat endothelial dysfunction.

Complement Mediated Endothelial Damage in Thrombotic Microangiopathies.

Thrombotic microangiopathies (TMA) constitute a group of different disorders that have a common underlying mechanism: the endothelial damage. These disorders may exhibit different mechanisms of endothelial injury depending on the pathological trigger. However, over the last decades, the potential role of the complement system (CS) has gained prominence in their pathogenesis. This is partly due to the great efficacy of complement-inhibitors in atypical hemolytic syndrome (aHUS), a TMA form where the primary defect is an alternative complement pathway dysregulation over endothelial cells (genetic and/or adquired). Complement involvement has also been demonstrated in other forms of TMA, such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and in Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli hemolytic uremic syndrome (STEC-HUS), as well as in secondary TMAs, in which complement activation occurs in the context of other diseases. However, at present, there is scarce evidence about the efficacy of complement-targeted therapies in these entities. The relationship between complement dysregulation and endothelial damage as the main causes of TMA will be reviewed here. Moreover, the different clinical trials evaluating the use of complement-inhibitors for the treatment of patients suffering from different TMA-associated disorders are summarized, as a clear example of the entry into a new era of personalized medicine in its management.

Development of calciphylaxis in kidney transplant recipients with a functioning graft.

Background: Calciphylaxis is not uniquely observed in uraemic patients, as some cases have also been reported in patients with normal renal function or moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD), in association with severe vasculopathy or systemic inflammation. A particular subset worthy of studying is represented by those patients who develop calciphylaxis after kidney transplantation (KT). Methods: Analysis of the local series of calciphylaxis after KT (n = 14) along with all the other cases reported in the literature from 1969 to 2019 (n = 31), for a total population of 45 patients, is presented. Demographic data, CKD history, risk factors, immunosuppression, clinical presentation and management have been analysed both as a whole and according to the time period (before or after the year 2000). Results: Calciphylaxis developed during the first year after KT in 43.2% of patients and median (interquartile range) creatinine at diagnosis was 2.4 (1.25-4.64) mg/dL. The most frequent presentation included distal purpura or ulcers in one-third of cases and 39.1% of patients were receiving vitamin K antagonists. PTH values were above 500 pg/mL and below 100 pg/mL in 50.0% and 25.0% of cases, respectively. Whole population mortality was 55.6%. As expected, clinical presentation, immunosuppression and management varied depending on the time period. Patients diagnosed after 2000 were older, with longer dialysis vintage, and treatment was usually multimodal; on the contrary, in patients diagnosed before 2000, parathyroidectomy was the treatment of choice in 61.9% of cases. Conclusions: Calciphylaxis can still occur after KT, in many cases during the first year and in patients with a good renal function. Risk factors and management varied according to the time period studied.

Rapid re-transplantation safety following early kidney graft loss.

INTRODUCTION: Early graft loss is a devastating kidney transplant complication associated with high mortality and an increased risk of sensitization to antigens from the failed graft. Moreover, if rapid re-transplantation were to occur, given that the human leukocyte antigen antibodies identification may not be reliable until several weeks after transplantation, the recipient's immunological status would be uncertain. Hence, there could be an increased immunological risk. To date, there is no information on whether a rapid re-transplantation after early graft loss, without a new reliable anti-HLA determination, is safe. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the number of rejections and the graft survival of re-transplanted patients with early graft loss (defined as graft failure before 30 days from transplant) from our centre between June 2003 and November 2019. The studied population was divided into rapid re-transplantation (performed within 30 days of early graft loss) and late re-transplantation (performed beyond those 30 days). RESULTS: Forty-seven patients were re-transplanted after early graft loss. There were nine rapid re-transplantation cases with an 89% five-year graft survival and one antibody-mediated rejection episode. Furthermore, we identified 38 cases of late re-transplantation with a 69% five-year graft survival, 4 T cell-mediated, and 11 antibody-mediated rejections. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid re-transplantation appears to be safe and does not entail increased rejection risk, nor does it impact long-term graft survival when compared to late re-transplantation.

Raquitismo hipofosfatémico ligado al cromosoma X: diagnóstico en la edad adulta y forma paucisintomática / X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets: Diagnosis in adult and paucisymptomatic form

El raquitismo hipofosfatémico ligado al cromosoma X (XLH) es la principal forma de raquitismo hereditario causada por la mutación del gen PHEX y que se manifiesta principalmente en la infancia. Clínicamente cursa con retraso en el crecimiento y deformidades óseas, sin embargo, existen formas de presentación atípicas que dificultan el diagnóstico. Presentamos un caso de XLH con diagnóstico tardío y forma paucisintomática que presenta múltiples fracturas y gran afectación en su calidad de vida, en tratamiento con la terapia clásica para esta enfermedad.(AU)

X-linked hypophosphataemic rickets (XLH) is the main form of hereditary rickets caused by mutation of the PHEX gene and occurs mainly in childhood. Clinically, it causes growth retardation and bone deformities; however, there are atypical forms of presentation that make diagnosis difficult. We present a case of XLH of late diagnosis and paucisymptomatic form with multiple fractures and greatly affecting quality of life, under treatment with traditional therapy for this disease.(AU)

SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Spanish Cohort of CKD-5D Patients: Prevalence, Clinical Presentation, Outcomes, and De-Isolation Results.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease that has easily spread worldwide. Outpatient maintenance hemodialysis seems to entail an increased risk of contagion, and previous reports inform of increased mortality among this population. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed clinical and laboratory parameters, outcomes, and management once discharged of CKD-5D patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 from our health area. RESULTS: Out of the 429 CKD-5D population, 36 were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection (8%): 34 on in-center hemodialysis and 2 on peritoneal dialysis. Five were asymptomatic. The most common symptom was fever (70%), followed by dyspnea and cough. History of cardiovascular disease and elevation of LDH and C-reactive protein during admission were associated with higher mortality. Thirteen patients died (36%), 8 patients were admitted to an ICU, and survival was low (38%) among the latter. The mean time to death was 12 days. Most discharged patients got negative rRT-PCR in nasopharyngeal swabs within 26 days of diagnosis. However, there is a portion of cured patients that continue to have positive results even more than 2 months after the initial presentation. CONCLUSIONS: Patients on dialysis have an increased mortality risk if infected with SARS-CoV-2. Preventive measures have proven useful. Thus, proper ones, such as universal screening of the population and isolation when required, need to be generalized. Better de-isolation criteria are necessary to ensure an appropriate use of public health resources.

X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets: Diagnosis in adult and paucisymptomatic form. / Raquitismo hipofosfatémico ligado al cromosoma X: diagnóstico en la edad adulta y forma paucisintomática.

X-linked hypophosphataemic rickets (XLH) is the main form of hereditary rickets caused by mutation of the PHEX gene and occurs mainly in childhood. Clinically, it causes growth retardation and bone deformities; however, there are atypical forms of presentation that make diagnosis difficult. We present a case of XLH of late diagnosis and paucisymptomatic form with multiple fractures and greatly affecting quality of life, under treatment with traditional therapy for this disease.

Infección urinaria febril adquirida en la comunidad por bacterias productoras de betalactamasas de espectro extendido en niños hospitalizados / Community-acquired febrile urinary tract infection caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing bacteria in hospitalised infants

INTRODUCCIÓN: El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue investigar la presencia, las características clínicas y los factores de riesgo para la adquisición de infección urinaria febril/pielonefritis (ITU/PNA) de la comunidad por microorganismos productores de betalactamasas de espectro extendido (BLEE+) en niños < 2 años que fueron ingresados en el hospital. MÉTODOS: Estudio de casos-controles en un hospital de segundo nivel en España. Se revisaron de forma retrospectiva 537 episodios de ITU/PNA entre noviembre de 2005 y agosto de 2014. Los casos fueron las ITU/PNA BLEE+. Por cada caso se escogieron 4 controles betalactamasas de espectro extendido negativos (BLEE−). Para cada paciente se rellenó un cuestionario con las variables de interés y se realizó la comparación entre los grupos. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 19 casos (3,5%) BLEE+. De ellos, 16 (84%) fueron Escherichia coli. El reflujo vesicoureteral (RVU) de cualquier grado fue más frecuente en el grupo BLEE+ (60 vs. 29%), aunque la diferencia no alcanzó significación estadística. Las recurrencias fueron más frecuentes en el grupo BLEE+ (42% vs 18%) (p = 0,029; OR = 3,2; IC-95%: 1,09-9,5). La prevalencia de ITU/PNA BLEE+ se incrementó ligeramente desde el 2,7% en el periodo 2005-2009 al 4,4% en el periodo 2010-2014. CONCLUSIONES: Las ITU/PNA BLEE+ se asociaron a recurrencias más frecuentes. El RVU fue el doble de frecuente en el grupo BLEE+. Piperacilina/tazobactam, meropenem y fosfomicina mostraron una excelente actividad. Los aminoglucósidos pueden ser una opción terapéutica, y en nuestra serie la gentamicina fue el antibiótico más utilizado

INTRODUCTION: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria are infrequent pathogens of urinary tract infections in children. The objective of our study was to investigate the presence, clinically associated characteristics and risk factors for acquisition of urinary tract infection/acute pyelonephritis (UTI/APN) in hospitalised children < 2 years old caused by community-acquired ESBL. METHODS: A case-control study in a second level community hospital in Spain, in which 537 episodes of UTI/APN were investigated in a retrospective study between November 2005 and August 2014. Cases were patients with ESBL strains. For each case, four ESBL-negative controls were selected. A questionnaire with the variables of interest was completed for every patient, and the groups were compared. RESULTS: ESBL-positive strains were found in 19 (3,5%) cultures. Of these 16 (84%) were Escherichia coli. Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) of any grade was more frequent in the ESBL group (60 vs. 29%), although without statistical significance. Relapses were more frequent in the ESBL group (42% vs. 18%) (P = .029; OR = 3.2; 95%CI: 1.09-9.5). The prevalence of UTI/APN due to ESBL-positive strains increased slightly from 2.7% in the period 2005-2009 to 4.4% in the period 2010-2014. CONCLUSIONS: ESBL UTI/APN were associated with more frequent relapses. VUR of any grade was twice more frequent in the ESBL group. Piperacillin/tazobactam, fosfomycin and meropenem showed an excellent activity. Aminoglycosides may be a therapeutic option, and in our patients gentamicin was the antibiotic most used

Community-acquired febrile urinary tract infection caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing bacteria in hospitalised infants. / Infección urinaria febril adquirida en la comunidad por bacterias productoras de betalactamasas de espectro extendido en niños hospitalizados.

INTRODUCTION: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria are infrequent pathogens of urinary tract infections in children. The objective of our study was to investigate the presence, clinically associated characteristics and risk factors for acquisition of urinary tract infection/acute pyelonephritis (UTI/APN) in hospitalised children <2years old caused by community-acquired ESBL. METHODS: A case-control study in a second level community hospital in Spain, in which 537 episodes of UTI/APN were investigated in a retrospective study between November 2005 and August 2014. Cases were patients with ESBL strains. For each case, four ESBL-negative controls were selected. A questionnaire with the variables of interest was completed for every patient, and the groups were compared. RESULTS: ESBL-positive strains were found in 19 (3,5%) cultures. Of these 16 (84%) were Escherichia coli. Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) of any grade was more frequent in the ESBL group (60 vs. 29%), although without statistical significance. Relapses were more frequent in the ESBL group (42% vs. 18%) (P=.029; OR=3.2; 95%CI: 1.09-9.5). The prevalence of UTI/APN due to ESBL-positive strains increased slightly from 2.7% in the period 2005-2009 to 4.4% in the period 2010-2014. CONCLUSIONS: ESBL UTI/APN were associated with more frequent relapses. VUR of any grade was twice more frequent in the ESBL group. Piperacillin/tazobactam, fosfomycin and meropenem showed an excellent activity. Aminoglycosides may be a therapeutic option, and in our patients gentamicin was the antibiotic most used.