Posttransplant Urinary Tract Infection Rates and Graft Outcome in Kidney Transplantation for End-Stage Renal Disease Due to Reflux Nephropathy Versus Chronic Glomerulonephritis.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to evaluate posttransplant urinary tract infection (UTI) rates and graft outcome in kidney transplantation for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to vesicoureteral reflux (VUR)-related reflux nephropathy (RN) versus chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN). METHODS: A total of 62 patients with ESRD who underwent kidney transplantation for VUR-related RN (VUR-RN group, n = 31; mean ± standard deviation age, 34.1 ± 6.0 years; 58.1% female) or CGN (CGN group, n = 31; mean age, 34.2 ± 6.8 years; 71.0% male) at our unit between January 1996 and January 2011 were included in this retrospective study. Baseline recipient and donor characteristics, renal replacement therapy, posttransplant data on serum creatinine levels, graft outcome, and UTIs were recorded. Posttransplant UTIs and graft outcome were compared between the VUR-RN and CGN groups, as well as between patients with and without pretransplant nephrectomy in the VUR-RN group. RESULTS: The frequency of overall (72 vs 18 of 90; P = .05) UTI episodes was significantly higher in the VUR-RN group than in the CGN group; Escherichia coli (64.2%) was the most common pathogen. The VUR-RN and CGN groups were similar in terms of 1-year (100.0% for each), 5-year (95.8% vs 96.8%), and 10-year (82.0% vs 96.8%) graft survival. VUR-RN patients with and without nephrectomy were similar in terms of 1-year (100.0% for each), 5-year (91.7% vs 85.7%), and 10-year (81.5% vs 85.7%) graft survival. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate kidney transplantation is a safe and effective option in ESRD patients with RN secondary to VUR. It resulted in high 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year graft survival rates.

Renal Damage Frequency in Patients with Solitary Kidney and Factors That Affect Progression.

Background. The aim of this study is to assess renal damage incidence in patients with solitary kidney and to detect factors associated with progression. Methods. Medical records of 75 patients with solitary kidney were investigated retrospectively and divided into two groups: unilateral nephrectomy (group 1) and unilateral renal agenesis/dysplasia (group 2). According to the presence of kidney damage, each group was divided into two subgroups: group 1a/b and group 2a/b. Results. Patients in group 1 were older than those in group 2 (p = 0.001). 34 patients who comprise group 1a had smaller kidney size (p = 0.002) and higher uric acid levels (p = 0.028) than those in group 1b at presentation. Uric acid levels at first and last visit were associated with renal damage progression (p = 0.004, 0.019). 18 patients who comprise group 2a were compared with those in group 2b in terms of presence of DM (p = 0.038), HT (p = 0.003), baseline proteinuria (p = 0.014), and uric acid (p = 0.032) levels and group 2a showed higher rates for each. Progression was more common in patients with DM (p = 0.039), HT (p = 0.003), higher initial and final visit proteinuria (p = 0.014, for both), and higher baseline uric acid levels (p = 0.047). Conclusions. The majority of patients with solitary kidney showed renal damage at presentation. Increased uric acid level is a risk factor for renal damage and progression. For early diagnosis of renal damage and reducing the risk of progression, patients should be referred to a nephrologist as early as possible.

Effects of infectious complications on patients' survival in peritoneal dialysis.

AIM: To investigate the impacts of infectious complications on mortality and morbidity; and to identify the other potential factors effective in mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included patients who initiated therapy between 2001-2011. Patients were divided into two groups regarding to presence or absence of infectious complications. Socio-demographic data and clinical courses were compared and the reasons for PD withdrawal were obtained. Survival analysis of all patients was performed and the effects of infectious complications on mortality were investigated. RESULTS: 301 patients were included in this retrospective study. 214 patients (mean follow-up time 28.7±16.5 months) had infection history, 87 patients (mean follow-up time 48.9±29.6 months) had no infection history. There were no statistically significant difference in comparison of the groups in terms age, gender, education levels, hemodialysis history. In patients with infection history, 465 peritonitis and 213 catheter exit site infection attacks were diagnosed. The most frequently agent was methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in both conditions, while 25% of catheter exit site infection and 25% of peritonitis attacks were culture negative. During follow-up period, 60 patients transferred to hemodialysis, 58 patients died, 18 patients had renal transplantation in patients with infection history. In other group, 27 patients died, 23 patients had renal transplantation and 11 patients transferred to hemodialysis. Mean survival times were 56.3±2.8 months in patients with infection history and 86.8±6.1 months in other group. Mortality rate was found higher in patients with infection history (long-rank: 0.030). PD preference (OR: 5.213, p < 0.001), pretreatment low serum albumin (OR: 0.378, p = 0.001), low hemoglobin levels (OR: 0.810, p = 0.029) were found as predictors of survival in patients with infection history. CONCLUSIONS: Infectious complications have negative effects on patient survival. Nature of PD preference, initial hypoalbuminemia and anemia were found to increase the mortality rate. The major causes of deaths were peritonitis and/or sepsis in patients with infectious complications, while the major cause of death was cardiac reasons in patients without infectious complications.

Effects of rosiglitazone treatment on insulin resistance and TNF-alpha levels in patients with chronic kidney disease: a prospective study.

AIM: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of rosiglitazone treatment on insulin resistance (IR) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels in non-diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with IR. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty non-diabetic CKD patients with IR were enrolled in the study. Patients were grouped into two: group 1 (n = 15) received rosiglitazone 4 mg tablet for 3 months and patients who did not receive rosiglitazone treatment constituted the group 2 (n = 15). Baseline and after rosiglitazone treatment, homeostatis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and TNF-alpha levels were measured. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in gender, age, HOMA-IR and TNF-alpha levels among group 1 and group 2 (p > 0.05 for all). Compared to baseline in group 1, significant differences were found in HOMA-IR and TNF-alpha levels after 3 months (p = 0.023; p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that, rosiglitazone treatment improves the IR and decreases TNF-alpha levels in non-diabetic patients CKD with IR.

Fungal peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis: a 10 year retrospective analysis in a single center.

INTRODUCTION: Fungal peritonitis (FP) is a rare but serious complication in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD), and is associated with higher morbidity, mortality. We aimed to analyze the predisposing factors, etiological agents, outcome and treatment of FP in patients with PD. METHODOLOGY: We evaluated retrospectively all PD patients PD center between 2001 and 2011. Sixteen patients with FP were included into the study. RESULTS: The clinical records of 16 patients with FP among 355 patients were reviewed for the clinical and laboratory data. Among 506 episodes of PD-related peritonitis in 10 years, we identified 16 episodes of FP. Median PD duration was 36.7±22.2 months. In 87.5% of patients had one or more previous episode of bacterial peritonitis that were treated with multiple broad-spectrum antibiotics. FP was primary infection in five patients, whereas eleven patients experienced FP during the course of treatment of bacterial peritonitis. Six patients died due to the fungal infection whereas others were transferred to haemodialysis. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of bacterial peritonitis with broad spectrum antibiotics was an important risk factor predisposing to the development of FP. The catheter removal and initiation of antifungal therapy as soon as possible are obligatory in episode of FP because it is responsible from high mortality rate.

Risk factors for progression of renal disease in patient with diabetic nephropathy.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the annual rate of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decline and associated risk factors with this decline in diabetic nephropathy patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 122 type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients (66F, mean follow up time 39 +/- 19 months, mean age 56 +/- 10 years, mean duration of diabetes diagnosis 12.1 +/- 9.5 years) between 2003 and 2010 were evaluated retrospectively. Socio-demographic characteristics and blood pressure data, laboratory parameters, HbAlc, daily urine protein excretion both of the first and last visits of all patients were recorded. Patients were separated into three groups according to rate of GFR decline. Group 1 (n:35), group 2 (n:42) and group 3 (n:45) consisted of patients < 1 ml/dk/1.73 m2, 1-5 ml/dk/1.73 m2 and > 5 ml/dk/1.73 m2 annual rate of GFR decline respectively. Demographics, laboratory data and their treatments were compared in all three groups and were investigated factors that may influence the rate of GFR decline. RESULTS: The annual rate of GFR decline was 1.4 +/- 2.3 ml/sec, -2.9 +/- 1.0 ml/sec and -11.9 +/- 9.1 ml/sec in group 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Daily urine protein excretion was 0.9 +/- 1.3, 1.2 +/- 1.5 and 5.2 +/- 5.5 g in groups respectively, was found significantly higher in group 3 (p < 0.001). Serum albumin level was significantly lower in group 3 (p < 0.001). We found positive correlation between annual rate of GFR decline and last visit systolic blood pressure (SBP), daily proteinuria and parathormone levels (r: 0.339, 0.447 and 0.289 p < 0.001, < 0.001 and 0.02 respectively) and negative correlation between GFR decline and deltaSBP (delta systolic blood pressure), pretreatment albumin, calcium and hemoglobin levels (r: -0.409, -0.526, -0.233 and -0.467, p < 0.001, < 0.001, < 0.001 and 0.016 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, anemia, and a change in SBP were found most effective in annual rate of GFR decline in patients with diabetic nephropathy. The early detection of these factors may slow the progression of nephropathy.

Fetuin-A, inflammation, and coronary artery calcification in hemodialysis patients.

Hemodialysis patients have extremely increased cardiovascular mortality. Vascular calcification, inflammation, and low serum fetuin-A levels are implicated for increased mortality. In this study, relationship between coronary artery calcification, inflammation, and serum fetuin-A levels were investigated. Seventy-eight hemodialysis patients (38 male, 40 female, mean age: 52±14.5 years) were included. All patients were on dialysis for more than 6 months. Coronary artery calcium scores (CACS) are determined by electron-beam computed tomography. Serum CRP, IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, and serum fetuin-A levels were measured. Mean CACS value was 488.5±94.5. Serum fetuin-A levels were negatively correlated with CACS (r:-0.30, P=0.009). Patients are divided into two groups according to total CACS value; group 1 (CACS<10), group 2 (CACS≥10). There was a statistically significance difference in fetuin-A levels between CACS group 1 and group 2 (P=0.001). In this study, serum fetuin-A levels were associated with total CACS. This Fetuin-A may play a role in increased mortality in this group of patients via facilitating CAC.

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and a rare bleeding disorder: Factor X deficiency.

Factor X (FX) deficiency is a rare hereditary coagulation disorder. This is the first case report on the association of FX deficiency and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) type I. The patient, a 17-year-old male, presented with edema, hypertension, and microscopic hematuria, followed by a mild upper respiratory tract infection. Laboratory tests revealed: serum creatinine 1.6 mg/dl, serum albumin 2.80 g/dl, C3 16 mg/dl and proteinuria (1,800 mg/day). The renal biopsy showed MPGN type I. The coagulation profile prior to percutaneous renal biopsy revealed prolonged prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time values. The patient was given fresh frozen plasma and vitamin K before the biopsy. Further evaluation showed the functional activity of FX was 7% of the norm. This case emphasizes the need for routine coagulation screening before percutaneous renal biopsy.

Effect of Olmesartan on serum cystatin C levels in the patients with essential hypertension.

AIM: We aimed to investigate whether Olmesartan had an effect on cystatin C levels in hypertensive patients, and evaluate its correlation with blood pressure (BP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-two patients essential hypertension patients with a known for, at most, the last 3 years were enrolled to the study. Patients were divided in three groups (group 1; receives 20 mg/day olmesartan; group 2, receives 40 mg/day olmesartan; group 3, receives Olmesartan plus hydrochlorothiazide), according to their BP measurements. Blood samples (serum urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium and cystatin C) were collected initially and at the end of the study from all patients and the correlation of these parameters with BP and drug use was investigated. RESULTS: There were no significantly difference between the groups in terms of age, gender, serum urea, creatinine, cystatin C and diastolic BP levels (p > 0.05); while, systolic BP was significantly higher in group 3 at baseline (p = 0.001). After 3 months of olmesartan treatment, the mean serum cystatin C (p: 0.001, 0.023 and 0.018 respectively), systolic (p: 0.001, 0.001 and 0.001 respectively) and diastolic BP levels (p: 0.001, 0.001 and 0.001 respectively) decreased in all groups. However, there was no significant difference in serum creatinine levels (p > 0.05). There were not found correlation between the changes of systolic and diastolic BP and cystatin C levels. CONCLUSIONS: Cystatin C is a more sensitive marker to detect of early kidney dysfunction compared to serum creatinine level. Olmesartan treatment led to a decrease of cystatin C level. Therefore, olmesartan can be used to prevent the renal damage in patients with hypertensive and it is independent of drop in blood pressure.