CXCR3+ Monocytes Increase Significantly in Graft Blood Compared to Peripheral Blood in Patients With Stable Kidney Graft Function.

INTRODUCTION: We have recently reported that some lymphocyte populations do not maintain the same proportion in kidney graft blood as in peripheral blood, despite a stable function of the transplanted kidney. These results suggest that a comparative study between leukocyte cells from graft blood and those obtained from peripheral blood could provide information about the inflammatory state of the transplanted organ. In this work we selected the population of CD4+ lymphocytes and monocytes expressing CXCR3 to test this hypothesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed by flow cytometry during month 3, 6, and 12 after transplantation in 58 patients who received an isolated kidney transplant and the same immunosuppressive regimen. The peripheral blood sample was obtained by venipuncture and the graft blood by fine needle aspiration. RESULTS: We found a significant percentage decrease in CXCR3+ monocytes throughout the first year of transplantation in peripheral blood (15.9 ± 20.7 vs. 12.6 ± 12.4 vs. 6.3 ± 9.0, at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively; P = .001), whereas the percentage of CXCR3+ monocytes in graft blood did not change over this period. This situation resulted in a significant percentage difference between the CXCR3+ monocytes from the graft blood and those from the peripheral blood at the sixth (15.8 ± 8.1 vs. 12.6 ± 12.4, respectively; P = .008) and 12th months (12.9 ± 8.1 vs. 6.3 ± 9.0, respectively; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, we can conclude that the significant percentage increase of CXCR3+ monocytes in graft blood with respect to peripheral blood suggests the presence of inflammatory activity despite renal function being stable during the second half of the first year post-transplantation.

Impact of Early Low-Grade Proteinuria and Allograft Dysfunction on Survival in Expanded Criteria Donor Kidney Transplant Recipients.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies have demonstrated a relationship between low-grade proteinuria and worse graft survival, but this has not been fully studied in expanded criteria donor (ECD) kidney transplant recipients. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess whether the combination of early low-grade proteinuria (<1 g/d) and allograft dysfunction at the third month post-transplantation predicts outcomes in terms of survival in ECD kidney transplant recipients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied a cohort of 269 ECD kidney transplant recipients subdivided into 4 groups according to clinically relevant proteinuria (300 mg/d) and median creatinine (Cr; 1.7 mg/dL; interquartile range, 1.4-2.1 mg/dL) at the third month post-transplantation: Group A (Cr <1.7 mg/dL and proteinuria <300 mg/24 h; n = 97), Group B (Cr <1.7 mg/dL and proteinuria ≥300 mg/24 h; n = 38), Group C (Cr ≥1.7 mg/dL and proteinuria <300 mg/24 h; n = 79), and Group D (Cr ≥1.7 mg/dL and proteinuria ≥300 mg/24 h; n = 55). RESULTS: Death-censored graft survival was significantly lower in Group D compared with the rest (P < .007). Multivariate Cox regression analysis using fixed covariates showed that the combination of low-grade proteinuria and a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) as associated with graft failure (hazard rate [HR] 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-5.97; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: The early association of low-grade proteinuria and allograft dysfunction represents an important risk factor for graft loss in ECD kidney transplant recipients. Strategies to optimize renal function could improve the outcome in this specific population.

Biopsies in renal transplant patients with proteinuria: histological findings.

INTRODUCTION: Proteinuria is related to a poor prognosis for graft survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We undertook a retrospective study of renal transplant biopsies between 2006 and 2009 performed because of proteinuria. Data were collected on demographic, analytical, and histological characteristics. RESULTS: The study included 49 biopsies from 65% men with an overall mean age of 52 ± 13 years. The mean time from transplant to biopsy was 6.5 ± 5.3 years. All cases displayed proteinuria: 2.2 g/24 h (1.2-3.2). In 56% of cases, it was also associated with worsening glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (MDRDa 33 ± 16 mL/min). In 14% of cases, the sample was insufficient to determine glomerular pathology, whereas 51% displayed glomerular disease, among which were transplant glomerulopathy (40%), glomerulonephritis (48%), and diabetes (12%). Interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IFTA) was present in 85%: 33% mild, 27% moderate, and 25% severe. Arteriolar hyalinosis was present in 60%. Thirty-four percent of subject lost their grafts at a mean of 11 ± 9 months after the biopsy. The GFR at the time of biopsy was worse among those subjects who returned to dialysis than those who retained function (MDRDa 22 ± 7.5 vs 34 ± 15 mL/min; P = .006). Proteinuria was also greater among those who lost their grafts (4.1 ± 3.4 vs 2.1 ± 1.6 g/24 h; P = .007). The absolute increase in the risk of graft loss was 52% among subjects who displayed moderate to severe versus those who had mild IFTA (relative risk [RR] 7; confidence interval [CI] 1.8-28; P < .001). The presence of glomerulosclerosis >50% was also associated with a 48% absolute increased risk of graft loss compared with those patients with no glomerulosclerosis or <50% (RR 3; CI 1.5-12; P = .02). After the biopsy, the dose of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and/or angiotensin receptor antagonist was increased in 90%, with 34% of subjects, experiencing a change in immunosuppression. CONCLUSIONS: Transplant patients undergoing a biopsy due to proteinuria, the occurrence of graft loss was associated with reduced GFR and the amount of proteinuria at the time of the biopsy, as well as with the degree of IFTA and of glomerular involvement.

La profilaxis con sellado de gentamicina de las ramas del catéter venoso central crónico tunelizado no causa resistencia bacteriana / Prophylaxis with gentamicin locking of chronic tunneled central venous catheters does not cause bacterial resistance

Introducción: La profilaxis con sellado de gentamicina de las ramas del catéter venoso central tunelizado en hemodiálisis crónica disminuye la morbimortalidad infecciosa bacteriana asociada a la bacteriemia del catéter. Objetivo: Valorar en un estudio prospectivo observacional de siete años de duración de 101 pacientes en hemodiálisis crónica con catéter tratados con profilaxis la aparición de resistencia bacteriana al antibiótico en gérmenes habitualmente sensibles a su acción. Material y métodos: Protocolo de asepsia universal en el manejo del catéter. Sellado intraluminal de las ramas posdiálisis con gentamicina 5 mg/rama + heparina sódica al 1%, monitorizando su nivel valle en sangre y (..) (AU)

Introduction: Prophylaxis with gentamicin locking of chronic tunnelled central venous catheter branches in chronic haemodialysis patients reduces bacterial infections and morbidity and mortality associated with catheter bacteraemia. Aim: We undertook a 7-year, prospective, observational study involving 101 patients on chronic haemodialysis with catheters treated with prophylaxis to evaluate the appearance of bacterial resistance to the antibiotic in pathogens usually sensitive to its action. Material and Methods: A protocol of universal asepsis in catheter management. Postdialysis intraluminal locking of the branches with gentamicin at 5mg/branch + 1% heparin sodium, monitoring trough levels in blood and modifying the dose according to the established protocol. The diagnosis of bacteraemia was based on usual criteria. The main study variables were: Diagnosis by the bacteriology department of bacterial resistance in pathogens sensitive to gentamicin. Diagnosis of clinical ototoxicity. Secondary variables were: Patients hospitalised/bacteraemia; number of bacteraemia/catheter/1000 days; infectious mortality; and catheter withdrawal/bacteraemia. Pathogens found in blood culture. Results: Main variables: We found no resistance of pathogens usually sensitive to the antibiotic. Nor was there clinical ototoxicity. The mean number of months each patient remained in the study was 23 (1-84). Secondary variables: Three patients (3%) were hospitalized due to bacteremia; number of bacteremias, 8; number of (..) (AU)

Prophylaxis with gentamicin locking of chronic tunnelled central venous catheters does not cause bacterial resistance.

INTRODUCTION: Prophylaxis with gentamicin locking of chronic tunnelled central venous catheter branches in chronic haemodialysis patients reduces bacterial infections and morbidity and mortality associated with catheter bacteraemia. AIM: We undertook a 7-year, prospective, observational study involving 101 patients on chronic haemodialysis with catheters treated with prophylaxis to evaluate the appearance of bacterial resistance to the antibiotic in pathogens usually sensitive to its action. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A protocol of universal asepsis in catheter management. Postdialysis intraluminal locking of the branches with gentamicin at 5mg/branch + 1% heparin sodium, monitoring trough levels in the blood and modifying the dose according to the established protocol. The diagnosis of bacteraemia was based on usual criteria. The main study variables were: Diagnosis by the bacteriology department of bacterial resistance in pathogens sensitive to gentamicin. Diagnosis of clinical ototoxicity. Secondary variables were: Patients hospitalised/bacteraemia; number of bacteraemia/catheter/1000 days; infectious mortality; and catheter withdrawal/bacteraemia. Pathogens found in blood culture. MAIN VARIABLES: We found no resistance of pathogens usually sensitive to the antibiotic or clinical ototoxicity. The mean number of months each patient remained in the study was 23 (1-84). Secondary variables: Three patients (3%) were hospitalised due to bacteraemia; number of bacteraemias: 8; number of bacteraemia/catheter/1000 days: 0.11; infectious mortality per bacteraemia: 1 patient (1%); catheter withdrawal due to bacteraemia: 2 (2%). No patients were diagnosed with endocarditis or spondylodiscitis. The mean trough level of gentamicin in each patient during the study was 0.17µg/ml (0.05-0.31); the mean intraluminal gentamicin locking dose per branch was 3mg (2-5), equivalent to 1.1-1.7mg/ml/branch. CONCLUSIONS: This 7-year, prospective observational study of 101 patients on chronic haemodialysis with tunnelled central venous catheters showed: 1) Prophylaxis with intraluminal gentamicin locking of the catheter branches does not cause bacterial resistance in pathogens sensitive to its action. 2) No clinical ototoxicity was seen. 3) The lack of resistance and ototoxicity may be influenced by the gentamicin prophylaxis dose used, which was much lower than in other studies.

Nefropatía asociada a infección por poliomavirus BK / BK virus-associated nephropathy

La infección por el poliomavirus BK (PBK) es un problema emergente en el trasplante renal que contribuye a la pérdida crónica de los injertos renales, y en el que la inmunosupresión desempeña un papel decisivo en su aparición. El conocimiento de los factores de riesgo y la monitorización estrecha de marcadores urinarios y serológicos de la infección pueden mitigar los efectos indeseables de esta infección. En esta revisión se profundiza en los aspectos clínicos y epidemiológicos de la infección por PBK, así como en las medias profilácticas y terapéuticas disponibles para su control en pacientes con trasplante renal que reciben moderna inmunosupresión (AU)

BK polyomavirus (BKV) infection is a problem which is becoming more prominent during kidney transplantation and contributes to chronic rejection of kidney grafts. This means that immune suppression plays a crucial role when the virus appears in kidney transplant patients. Knowing and understanding the risk factors and closely monitoring the urine and blood serum markers can alleviate undesired effects that are associated with this infection. This review details the clinical and epidemiological aspects of BKV, and the prophylactic and therapeutic methods available to control this virus in kidney transplant patients receiving modern immunosuppression (AU)

[BK-virus-associated Nephropathy]. / Nefropatía asociada a infección por poliomavirus BK.

The infection by the BK Polyomavirus (BKV) is an emerging problem in kidney transplants that contributes to a chronic loss of kidney grafts, and in which immunosuppression plays a decisive role. Understanding its risk factors and strictly monitoring urine and serological markers of the infection could mitigate the undesirable effects of this disease. In this review, we investigate the clinical and epidemiological aspects of the BKV infection, as well as go over the available prophylactic and treatment methods currently available for controlling the infection in kidney transplant patients that receive modern immunosuppression.

Síndrome de Sjögren y fracaso renal agudo tras cirugía oral / Sjögren’s syndrome and acute renal failure following oral surgery

El síndrome de Sjögren primario es una enfermedad inflamatoria multisistémica que suele cursar con lesiones de las glándulas exocrinas originando síntomas de sequedad oral y ocular. La expresión clínica también incluye manifestaciones generales, afección extraglandular y desarrollo de linfoma. La asociación de enfermedad renales frecuente. Habitualmente, la lesión observada corresponde a nefritis túbulo-intersticial. En cambio, es rara la afectación glomerular, así como los casos de fracaso renal agudo severo. Presentamos el caso de una mujer con síndrome de Sjögren primario que desarrolla un cuadro de insuficiencia renal aguda grave por glomerulonefritis crioglobulinémica con respuesta favorablea la terapia con esteroides, ciclofosfamida, plasmaféresisy rituximab (AU)

Primary Sjögren´s syndrome is a multisystemic inflammatory disorder that mainly affects the exocrine glands and usually presents as dryness of the mouth and eyes. The wide clinical pectrum of the disease includes general symptoms, extraglandular manifestations and lymphoma. The renalinvolvement is frequent. Interstitial nephritis is the most common renal manifestation, but glomerular involvement and acute renal failure may rarely occur. We describe acase of a female patient with primary Sjögren´s syndrome complicated by severe acute renal failure due to cryoglobulinaemic glomerulonephritis. Treatment with steroids, cyclophosphamide, plasma exchange and rituxim absuccessfully lead to recovery of acute renal failure (AU)

[Sjögren's syndrome and acute renal failure after oral surgery]. / Síndrome de Sjögren y fracaso renal agudo tras cirugía oral.

Primary Sjögren s syndrome is a multisystemic inflammatory disorder that mainly affects the exocrine glands and usually presents as dryness of the mouth and eyes. The wide clinical spectrum of the disease also includes general symptoms, extraglandular manifestations and lymphoma. It is frequently associated with renal diseases. Interstitial nephritis is the most common renal manifestation, but glomerular involvement and acute renal failure may also (rarely) occur. We describe a case of a female patient with primary Sjögren s syndrome complicated by severe acute renal failure due to cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis. Treatment with steroids, cyclophosphamide, plasma exchange and rituximab successfully led to recovery from acute renal failure.