Influenza virus pneumonia after renal transplant.

A 40-year-old woman who had recently undergone kidney transplantation was succesfully treated for diffuse influenza virus pneumonia. The illness was acute, with rapid onset, high fever, nonproductive cough, dyspnea, cyanosis, crepitations and rales over both lung bases, and associated arterial hypoxemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Prophylactic use of antibiotics to prevent superimposed bacterial infection and reduction of immunosuppressive therapy to minimal dosage during the critical phase of the respiratory infection contributed to the patient's survival. An episode of graft rejection was reversed by resumption of immunosuppressive therapy at standard dosage levels.

Renal artery stenosis after renal transplantation.

Renal artery stenosis occurred in eight of fifty patients who received a renal transplant during a three year period. The evaluation and management of these cases is summarized. Trauma associated with kidney procurement, preservation, or arterial anastomosis as well as the rejection process itself may contribute to the development of these lesions. Arteriography may be indicated at an earlier stage in patients who respond poorly to medical treatment of repeated episodes of "rejection."

Meningoencephalitis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum: occurrence in a renal transplant recipient and a review of the literature.

A case of meningoencephalitis caused by histoplasmosis in a renal transplant patient is described. The diagnosis was made postmortem. The clinicopathological features of 39 additional cases of central nervous system (CNS) invasion by histoplasmosis were reviewed. In the great majority of instances (92.1%), CNS involvement occurred in the disseminated form of the disease. Diagnosis was proved by culturing the fungus from bone marrow, blood, lymph nodes, or liver. Neurological symptoms and signs and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) changes did not occur until extensive brain damage had resulted. Difficulty in culturing the organism in the (CSF) caused a further delay in making an early diagnosis of CNS involvement. The use of meningeal and brain biopsy specimens in conjunction with the electroencephalogram (EEG) may help in making an earlier diagnosis of CNS involvement.

Late changes of irreversible post-partum renal failure.

The clinico-pathological data from a patient with irreversible post-partum renal failure (IPRF) are presented. The electron microscopy of the late changes are described for the first time and consists of: 1. Thickening of the basement membrane. 2. Interposition of mesangial cells and matrix between the thickened basement membrane and the endothelial cell encircling the periphery of the tuft. 3. Multiplication of basal lamina material between mesangial cells and endothelial cells. 4. Proliferation of endothelial cells. All of the above changes tend to obliterate the glomerular tufts and transform the vascular lumina into slit-like spaces. They explain morphologically why most patients with IPRF terminate in chronic renal failure, if they survive the early changes. The late occurring hypertension is regarded as a secondary stimulation of the renin-angiotension system caused by partial or complete occlusion of arteries and arterioles.

Angina during hemodialysis. Treatment by coronary bypass graft.

In a 52-year-old man with chronic renal failure, severe angina occured when he was receiving hemodialysis. A double coronary bypass graft was performed, providing complete relief.