Recurrent IgA Nephropathy or Subclinical Chronic Humoral Rejection With Predominance of Plasma Cells: A Case Report.

Both antibody-mediated rejection and recurrence of kidney disease are major causes of allograft loss. A possible strategy to address the former is donor-specific antibody (DSA) monitoring. In this patient with IgA nephropathy, DSA detection triggered biopsy 10 years after transplant despite preserved graft function and normal urinary examination. Biopsy showed mild glomerulitis, mild capillaritis, and transplant glomerulopathy with no C4d peritubular capillary staining, along with IgA-dominant mesangial immunofluorescence staining. Interstitial inflammation had a notable predominance of plasma cells, a finding that has been variably attributed to rejection and worse prognosis. Immunosuppression was optimized with the working diagnosis of recurrent IgA nephropathy and/or chronic active humoral rejection with predominance of plasma cells, with favorable response at follow-up. This case illustrates the conflicting role of DSA monitoring and allograft biopsy to optimize immunosuppression management. Despite imperfect correlation with each other and clinical outcomes, they are key to tailor therapy. In the future, characterization of the role of plasma cell infiltrates in rejection might further enable prognosis and treatment individualization.

Blood, Gut, and Oral Microbiome in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background and Objective: Recent reports describe the existence of a blood microbiome profile not associated with an infection state. Given the high impact that the dysbiotic human microbiome appears to have in chronic kidney disease and, in particular, in the outcome of kidney transplant recipients (KTRs), we aimed to explore the variations and correlations of the gut, oral, and blood microbiome of recipients, 3 months after kidney transplantation. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study where the microbiome of stool, saliva, and blood collected from recipients 3 months after kidney transplantation (N = 6) was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene using MiSeq Illumina® technology. Results: Blood of KTRs harbors a distinct low-abundance microbiome dominated by Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. Gut and oral microbiome of KTRs also present distinct profiles. The existence of a proportion of shared operational taxonomic units among the different body sites is reported, mainly classified as Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. Conclusions: This study provides evidence of existence a blood microbiome in KTRs, different from the gut and the oral microbiome profiles, with a small number of operational taxonomic units representing a shared microbiome. The clinical relevance of this observation should be further explored in these patients.

Lessons from Four Decades of Systemic Amyloidosis with Renal Involvement.

BACKGROUND: Apart from ATTR amyloidosis, the epidemiology and outcomes of the most common subtypes of systemic amyloidosis in Portugal remain primarily unknown. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study evaluated patients with renal biopsy-proven amyloidosis, diagnosed from January 1978 to December 2019. Follow-up started at kidney disease presentation and ended at death or August 2020. Clinical presentation, survival, and prognostic factors were analysed. RESULTS: Of 123 patients with amyloid nephropathy, 111 had definite amyloid typing and were analysed. AA amyloidosis was the most frequent type (56.1%) and was related mainly to chronic infection (47.8%) and chronic inflammatory arthritis (29.0%). AL amyloidosis was present in 25.2% of patients and hereditary forms in 6.5% (4.1% AFibE526V, 2.4% ATTRV30M). During follow-up, 73.9% of AA and 54.8% of AL patients progressed to end-stage renal disease, and 79.7% of AA and 77.4% of AL died; median overall survival was 66.0 (95% CI, 33.0-99.0) and 18.0 (95% CI, 9.3-26.7) months (p = 0.025), respectively. There were no significant differences in renal outcome and survival on dialysis between these two types. In multivariate analysis, cardiac involvement at presentation (HR 6.26 [95% CI, 2.89-13.56]) and estimated glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (HR 2.05 [95% CI, 1.06-3.99]) independently influenced AA and AL amyloidosis survival. Cardiac involvement at presentation was an independent predictor of death (HR 9.65 [95% CI, 2.91-31.95]) and early mortality in AL amyloidosis. CONCLUSIONS: In Portugal, AA amyloidosis and related chronic infections are still relevant. Regarding AL amyloidosis, the low incidence and advanced disease at presentation result from missed and erroneous diagnoses, leading to delayed referrals and poor outcomes in these patients.

Case management intervention of high users of the emergency department of a Portuguese hospital: a before-after design analysis.

BACKGROUND: Emergency department (ED) High users (HU), defined as having more than ten visits to the ED per year, are a small group of patients that use a significant proportion of ED resources. The High Users Resolution Group (GRHU) identifies and provides care to HU to improve their health conditions and reduce the frequency of ED visits by delivering patient-centered case management integrated care. The main objective of this study was to measure the impact of the GRHU intervention in reducing ED visits, outpatient appointments, and hospitalizations. As secondary objectives, we aimed to compare the GRHU intervention costs against its potential savings or additional costs. Finally, we intend to study the impact of this intervention across different groups of patients. METHODS: We studied the changes triggered by the GRHU program in a retrospective, non-controlled before-after analysis of patients' hospital utilization data on 6 and 12-month windows from the first appointment. RESULTS: A total of 238 ED HU were intervened. A sample of 152 and 88 patients was analyzed during the 6 and 12-month window, respectively. On the 12-month window, GRHU intervention was associated with a statistically significant reduction of 51% in ED visits and hospitalizations and a non-statistically significant increase in the total number of outpatient appointments. Overall costs were reduced by 43.56%. We estimated the intervention costs to be €79,935.34. The net cost saving was €104,305.25. The program's Return on Investment (ROI) was estimated to be €2.3. CONCLUSION: Patient-centered case management for ED HU seems to effectively reduce ED visits and hospitalizations, leading to better use of resources.

Spleen-Restricted Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder in the First Year After Kidney Transplant - A Case Report.

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) are a feared complication after transplant. They are mostly of B cell origin and are frequently Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive, particularly in early onset PTLD. Later on, non-B and EBV-negative PTLD are increasingly reported. EBV seronegative receptors (particularly when paired with an EBV seropositive donor) together with the net degree of immunosuppression-a concept often difficult to quantify-are the most consistently described risk factors for the development of PTLD. Conversely, its association with a particular immunosuppressive agent or other virus, namely cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection or disease, has been inconsistently reported. We present a challenging case where an EBV negative monomorphic peripheric T-cell lymphoma was diagnosed in the first year after kidney transplant in a patient with a recent history of CMV disease from a resistant strain.

Association between serum phosphorus and mortality in NHANES 2003-2006: the effect of gender and renal function.

BACKGROUND: The impact of high serum phosphorus in the general population is still debated. Studies are heterogeneous, most lack an adjustment for parathyroid hormone, vitamin D and phosphorus intake and the effect might differ by gender and renal function. We investigated the association between serum phosphorus and mortality in American adults. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed 5698 non-pregnant and non-CKD adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2006. Serum phosphorus and potential confounders including parathyroid hormone, 25(OH)vitamin D and phosphorus intake were evaluated. All-cause, cardiovascular- and cancer-related deaths were recorded through December 31st, 2015. Sex-specific terciles of serum phosphorus were used to fit adjusted Cox proportional hazard models for mortality. Analysis was stratified by gender and renal function. RESULTS: A total of 590 deaths were recorded over a median follow-up of 81 months. Women showed higher serum phosphorus than men. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality was 1.35 (95% CI 1.08-1.58) (p = 0.033) for the third tercile (versus second tercile). This increased risk was present in participants with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) below 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 but not above, although interaction was not significant (p = 0.12). Interaction by gender, phosphorus intake, PTH and fasting time was also not detected. For cardiovascular and cancer mortality, the adjusted HR was 0.81 (95% CI 0.33-2.00) (p = NS) and 1.45 (95% CI 0.77-2.72) (p = NS), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that the highest tercile of serum phosphorus is associated with increased all-cause mortality, irrespective of PTH, 25(OH)vitamin D or phosphorus intake. This association may differ by gender and renal function, but larger studies testing for effect modification are needed.

The Enhanced Efficacy of Intracellular Delivery of Doxorubicin/C6-Ceramide Combination Mediated by the F3 Peptide/Nucleolin System Is Supported by the Downregulation of the PI3K/Akt Pathway.

Targeting multiple cellular populations is of high therapeutic relevance for the tackling of solid tumors heterogeneity. Herein, the ability of pegylated and pH-sensitive liposomes, functionalized with the nucleolin-binding F3 peptide and containing doxorubicin (DXR)/C6-ceramide synergistic combination, to target, in vitro, ovarian cancer, including ovarian cancer stem cells (CSC), was assessed. The underlying molecular mechanism of action of the nucleolin-mediated intracellular delivery of C6-ceramide to cancer cells was also explored. The assessment of overexpression of surface nucleolin expression by flow cytometry was critical to dissipate differences identified by Western blot in membrane/cytoplasm of SKOV-3, OVCAR-3 and TOV-112D ovarian cancer cell lines. The former was in line with the significant extent of uptake into (bulk) ovarian cancer cells, relative to non-targeted and non-specific counterparts. This pattern of uptake was recapitulated with putative CSC-enriched ovarian SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3 sub-population (EpCAMhigh/CD44high). Co-encapsulation of DXR:C6-ceramide into F3 peptide-targeted liposomes improved cytotoxic activity relative to liposomes containing DXR alone, in an extent that depended on the intrinsic resistance to DXR and on the incubation time. The enhanced cytotoxicity of the targeted combination was mechanistically supported by the downregulation of PI3K/Akt pathway by C6-ceramide, only among the nucleolin-overexpressing cancer cells presenting a basal p-Akt/total Akt ratio lower than 1.

Circulating Renalase as Predictor of Renal and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Pre-Dialysis CKD Patients: A 5-Year Prospective Cohort Study.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an independent risk factor for adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), and mortality since the earlier stages. Therefore, it is critical to identify the link between CKD and cardiovascular risk (CVR) through early and reliable biomarkers. Acknowledging that CKD and CKD progression are associated with increased sympathetic tone, which is implicated in CVR, and that renalase metabolizes catecholamines, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between renalase serum levels (RNLS) and cardiovascular and renal outcomes. The study included 40 pre-dialysis CKD patients (19F:21M) with median age of 61 (IQ 45-66) years. At baseline, we measured RNLS as well as routine biomarkers of renal and cardiovascular risk. A prospective analysis was performed to determine whether RNLS are associated with CKD progression, MACCEs, hospitalizations and all-cause mortality. At baseline, the median level of RNLS and median estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were 63.5 (IQ 48.4-82.7) µg/mL and 47 (IQ 13-119) mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. In univariate analysis, RNLS were strongly associated with eGFR, age and Charlson Index. Over the course of a mean follow-up of 65 (47 to 70) months, 3 (7.5%) deaths, 2 (5%) fatal MACCEs, 17 (42.5%) hospital admissions occurred, and 16 (40%) patients experienced CKD progression. In univariate analysis, RNLS were associated with CKD progression (p = 0.001), hospitalizations (p = 0.001) and all-cause mortality (p = 0.022) but not with MACCEs (p = 0.094). In adjusted analysis, RNLS predicted CKD progression and hospitalizations regardless of age, Charlson comorbidity index, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia. Our results suggest that RNLS, closely related with renal function, might have a potential role as predictor of renal outcomes, hospitalizations, and mortality in pre-dialysis CKD patients.

Endothelial Dysfunction Is Associated with Cerebrovascular Events in Pre-Dialysis CKD Patients: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have markedly increased rates of end stage renal disease, major adverse cardiovascular/cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), and mortality. Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is an early marker of atherosclerosis that is emerging as an increasingly important non-traditional cardiovascular risk factor in CKD. There is a lack of clinical studies examining the association between ED and both cardiovascular and renal endpoints in patients with CKD. AIMS: We examined the association between reactive hyperemia index (RHI), a validated measure of endothelial function measured by peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT), with traditional cardiovascular risk factors in pre-dialysis CKD patients and prospectively evaluated the role of RHI as predictor of renal and cardiovascular outcomes in this population. METHODS: One hundred and twenty pre-dialysis patients with CKD stages 1 to 5 (CKD group) and 18 healthy kidney donor candidates (control group) were recruited and had a successful RHI measurement by PAT. General demographic and clinical information including traditional cardiovascular risk factors were registered from all participants. Thereafter, patients were prospectively followed-up for a median time of 47 (IQR 19-66) months to determine associations of RHI with renal outcomes, MACCEs, hospitalizations or mortality. RESULTS: In the CKD patient population, the mean age was 57.7 ± 15.5 years, the mean eGFR was 54.9 ± 36.7 mL/min/1.73 m2 (CKD-EPI) and 57 were males (47.5%). At baseline, in univariate analysis, RHI in the CKD group correlated positively with eGFR (r = 0.332, p < 0.0001) and correlated negatively with age (r = -0.469, p < 0.0001), Charlson index (r = -0.399, p < 0.0001), systolic blood pressure (r = -0.256, p = 0.005), and proteinuria (r = 0.211, p = 0.027). Reactive hyperemia index in the control group did not significantly differ from RHI observed in patients with CKD stages 1 to 5 (2.09 ± 0.40 vs. 2.01 ± 0.06, p = 0.493). In adjusted analysis, only age (ß = -0.014, p = 0.003) remained independently associated with RHI at baseline. During follow-up, 8 patients suffered a MACCEs, 33 patients experienced renal function deterioration, 17 patients were hospitalized for medical reasons and 6 patients died. RHI at baseline was not significantly associated with CKD progression (1.94 vs. 2.02, p = 0.584), hospitalizations (1.90 vs. 2.04, p = 0.334), and all-cause mortality (1.65 vs. 2.01, p = 0.208) or MACCEs (1.77 vs. 2.01, p = 0.356), but was significantly associated with cerebrovascular events (1.27 vs. 2.02, p = 0.004) and with a composite cardiovascular outcome (MACCEs, hospital admissions and death; 1.73 vs. 2.07, p = 0.035). Conclusion: Our results suggest that RHI may be a predictor for the development of cerebrovascular events in pre-dialysis CKD patients who may benefit from more aggressive preventive measures.

Viral Clearance and Serological Response to SARS-CoV-2 in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

OBJECTIVES: Knowledge about the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) concerning viral shedding and humoral immune response against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is limited. The aim of this study is to analyze viral dynamics and the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 in KTRs with COVID-19 and study their association with clinical data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive KTRs diagnosed with COVID-19 at our center were evaluated for clinical presentation and outcome; duration of viral shedding and viral burden by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay cycle threshold; and magnitude of seroconversion to SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS: Six KTRs identified with COVID-19 were hospitalized. Presenting symptoms were similar to those in the general population. Four patients had severe disease and, of these, 2 required mechanical ventilation, 4 had acute kidney injury, and 3 had secondary bacterial infections. Immunosuppression was reduced in all patients. Five patients were treated with hydroxychloroquine. No patient required dialysis or died. Patients with severe disease had a longer duration of viral shedding, which lasted more than 40 days, and had IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, which were detected from 3 weeks to as long as 10 weeks after symptom onset. In patients with less severe disease no IgG antibodies where detected between 9 and 14 weeks after symptom onset. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, KTRs with severe COVID-19 had prolonged viral shedding and a stronger humoral immune response to SARS-CoV-2. These preliminary data need to be confirmed with further studies and over a longer period of time.

Reactive hyperemia correlates with the presence of sepsis and glycocalyx degradation in the intensive care unit: a prospective cohort study. / A hiperemia reativa correlaciona-se com presença de sepse e degradação de glicocálix na unidade de terapia intensiva: um estudo de coorte prospectiva.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether reactive hyperemia measured by peripheral arterial tonometry correlates with markers of endothelial dysfunction and may be used to identify sepsis in critical illness. METHODS: A prospective study was performed using a cohort of critically ill patients. Endothelial dysfunction was assessed on admission by quantifying reactive hyperemia-peripheral arterial tonometry and plasma levels of endothelin-1, soluble E-selectin, endocan and syndecan-1. Septic patients were compared to patients without evidence of infection. RESULTS: Fifty-eight septic patients were compared to 28 controls. The natural logarithm of reactive hyperemia-peripheral arterial tonometry was negatively correlated with cardiovascular comorbidities, disease severity and plasma levels of soluble E-selectin (p = 0.024) and syndecan-1 (p < 0.001). The natural logarithm of reactive hyperemia-peripheral arterial tonometry was lower in septic patients than in controls (0.53 ± 0.48 versus 0.69 ± 0.42, respectively). When adjusted for age, the multivariable model predicted that each 0.1-unit decrease in natural logarithm of reactive hyperemia-peripheral arterial tonometry increased the odds for infection by 14.6%. m. CONCLUSION: Reactive hyperemia-peripheral arterial tonometry is closely related to soluble E-selectin and syndecan-1, suggesting an association between endothelial activation, glycocalyx degradation and vascular reactivity. Reactive hyperemia-peripheral arterial tonometry appears to be compromised in critically ill patients, especially those with sepsis.

OBJETIVO: Investigar se a hiperemia reativa correlaciona-se com marcadores de disfunção endotelial e pode ser utilizada para identificar sepse na doença crítica. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de estudo prospectivo em uma coorte de pacientes críticos. A disfunção endotelial foi avaliada quando da admissão, por meio da quantificação de hiperemia por tonometria arterial periférica e níveis plasmáticos de endotelina 1, E-selectina solúvel, endocana e sindecano 1. Os pacientes sépticos foram comparados com pacientes sem evidência de infecção. RESULTADOS: Cinquenta e oito pacientes sépticos foram comparados com 28 controle. O logaritmo natural da tonometria arterial periférica teve correlação negativa com comorbidades cardiovasculares, severidade da doença e níveis plasmáticos de E-selectina solúvel (p = 0,024) e sindecano 1 (p < 0,001). O logaritmo natural da tonometria arterial periférica foi mais baixo nos pacientes sépticos quando comparado com os de pacientes controle (0,53 ± 0,48 versus 0,69 ± 0,42, respectivamente) e, quando ajustado à idade, o modelo multivariado predisse que cada 0,1 de diminuição em unidades de logaritmo natural da tonometria arterial periférica levou a aumento de 14,6% na probabilidade de infecção. CONCLUSÃO: A hiperemia reativa avaliada por tonometria arterial periférica tem estreita relação com E-selectina solúvel e sindecano 1, o que sugere associação entre ativação endotelial, degradação de glicocálix e reatividade vascular. A hiperemia reativa por tonometria arterial periférica parece estar comprometida em pacientes críticos, especialmente os com sepse.

A hiperemia reativa correlaciona-se com presença de sepse e degradação de glicocálix na unidade de terapia intensiva: um estudo de coorte prospectiva / Reactive hyperemia correlates with the presence of sepsis and glycocalyx degradation in the intensive care unit: a prospective cohort study

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar se a hiperemia reativa correlaciona-se com marcadores de disfunção endotelial e pode ser utilizada para identificar sepse na doença crítica. Métodos: Trata-se de estudo prospectivo em uma coorte de pacientes críticos. A disfunção endotelial foi avaliada quando da admissão, por meio da quantificação de hiperemia por tonometria arterial periférica e níveis plasmáticos de endotelina 1, E-selectina solúvel, endocana e sindecano 1. Os pacientes sépticos foram comparados com pacientes sem evidência de infecção. Resultados: Cinquenta e oito pacientes sépticos foram comparados com 28 controle. O logaritmo natural da tonometria arterial periférica teve correlação negativa com comorbidades cardiovasculares, severidade da doença e níveis plasmáticos de E-selectina solúvel (p = 0,024) e sindecano 1 (p < 0,001). O logaritmo natural da tonometria arterial periférica foi mais baixo nos pacientes sépticos quando comparado com os de pacientes controle (0,53 ± 0,48 versus 0,69 ± 0,42, respectivamente) e, quando ajustado à idade, o modelo multivariado predisse que cada 0,1 de diminuição em unidades de logaritmo natural da tonometria arterial periférica levou a aumento de 14,6% na probabilidade de infecção. Conclusão: A hiperemia reativa avaliada por tonometria arterial periférica tem estreita relação com E-selectina solúvel e sindecano 1, o que sugere associação entre ativação endotelial, degradação de glicocálix e reatividade vascular. A hiperemia reativa por tonometria arterial periférica parece estar comprometida em pacientes críticos, especialmente os com sepse.

Abstract Objective: To investigate whether reactive hyperemia measured by peripheral arterial tonometry correlates with markers of endothelial dysfunction and may be used to identify sepsis in critical illness. Methods: A prospective study was performed using a cohort of critically ill patients. Endothelial dysfunction was assessed on admission by quantifying reactive hyperemia-peripheral arterial tonometry and plasma levels of endothelin-1, soluble E-selectin, endocan and syndecan-1. Septic patients were compared to patients without evidence of infection. Results: Fifty-eight septic patients were compared to 28 controls. The natural logarithm of reactive hyperemia-peripheral arterial tonometry was negatively correlated with cardiovascular comorbidities, disease severity and plasma levels of soluble E-selectin (p = 0.024) and syndecan-1 (p < 0.001). The natural logarithm of reactive hyperemia-peripheral arterial tonometry was lower in septic patients than in controls (0.53 ± 0.48 versus 0.69 ± 0.42, respectively). When adjusted for age, the multivariable model predicted that each 0.1-unit decrease in natural logarithm of reactive hyperemia-peripheral arterial tonometry increased the odds for infection by 14.6%. m. Conclusion: Reactive hyperemia-peripheral arterial tonometry is closely related to soluble E-selectin and syndecan-1, suggesting an association between endothelial activation, glycocalyx degradation and vascular reactivity. Reactive hyperemia-peripheral arterial tonometry appears to be compromised in critically ill patients, especially those with sepsis.

Visceral Dissemination of Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis in a Kidney Transplant Recipient.

Intracellular protozoan of the genus Leishmania, endemic in the Mediterranean basin, are the cause of cutaneous (CL), mucocutaneous (MCL), and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). A 75-year-old woman was admitted nine years after a second kidney transplant (KT), due to persistent pancytopenia and fever. She presented edema and erythema of the nose in the last two years and an exophytic nodular lesion located on the left arm, with areas of peripheral necrosis and central ulceration in the last 18 months. A bone marrow biopsy revealed features compatible with Leishmania amastigotes, and polymerase chain reaction test (PCR) for Leishmania infantum was positive. Moreover, biopsy and PCR for L. infantum of the cutaneous lesion on the patient's left arm and nose and PCR from peripheral blood were positive. Thus, a diagnosis of CL, MCL, and VL was made, and liposomal amphotericin B was initiated, but the patient had an unfavorable outcome and died. This is the first report of a KT recipient presenting with the entire spectrum of leishmaniasis. In Portugal, this infection is rare-so a high degree of clinical suspicion is required for its diagnosis, especially in endemic regions, as visceral leishmaniasis is a potentially life-threatening infection.

Fabry disease caused by the GLA p.Phe113Leu (p.F113L) variant: Natural history in males.

BACKGROUND, AIMS AND METHODS: The α-galactosidase gene (GLA) c.337T>C/p.Phe113Leu variant was originally described in patients with late-onset cardiac forms of Fabry disease (FD), who had residual α-galactosidase activity. It has since emerged as the most commonly reported GLA variant in Portuguese subjects diagnosed with FD but is also prevalent in the Italian population, where two boys carrying the GLA Leu113 allele were identified in a large-scale newborn screening program, the variant allele segregating in both cases with the same surrounding haplotype. To further delineate the genotype-phenotype correlations of this GLA variant, we have reviewed the natural history and clinical phenotypes of 11 symptomatic Portuguese males, from 10 unrelated families originating from several different areas in mainland Portugal and Madeira Island, who were diagnosed with FD associated with the GLA Leu113 allele in a diversity of clinical and screening settings. Nine of the patients were the probands of their respective families. To test whether the GLA Leu113 allele inherited by the 10 Portuguese and the two Italian families resulted from independent mutational events, we have additionally performed a haplotype analysis with 5 highly polymorphic, closely linked microsatellite markers surrounding the GLA gene. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Hemizygosity for the GLA Leu113 variant allele is associated with a late-onset form of FD, invariably presenting with severe cardiac involvement. Clinically relevant cerebrovascular and kidney involvement may also occur in some patients but the pathogenic relationship between the incomplete α-galactosidase deficiency and the risks of stroke and of chronic kidney disease is not straightforward. The observation that the Leu113 allele segregated within the same GLA microsatellite haplotype in both the Portuguese and Italian families suggests its inheritance from a common ancestor.

Early Versus Late Conversion From Immediate to Prolonged-Release Tacrolimus After Renal Transplantation: Clinical Effects and Treatment Costs.

INTRODUCTION: Prolonged-release tacrolimus (PR-TAC) was associated with improved renal function after transplantation when compared to immediate-release tacrolimus (IR-TAC) although evidence is still scarce. This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes and treatment costs in patients who converted from IR-TAC to PR-TAC during the first year after renal transplantation (RT) (early converters [EC]) or after that period (late converters [LC]). METHODS: We performed a retrospective study including 79 patients (EC, 39; LC, 41) which were followed up over 60 months. A mixed-effects approach was used to investigate the differences between both groups regarding renal and metabolic outcomes as well as treatment costs. RESULTS: The median time from RT to conversion was 3 months for EC and 25 months for LC. For both EC and LC, a significant increase in estimated glomerular filtration rate was observed after conversion (5.2 and 4.9 mL/min per 1.73 m2, respectively). During the first year after RT, EC presented a higher estimated glomerular filtration rate and inferior tacrolimus trough levels when compared to LC, with higher mean treatment costs associated. However, thereafter, these outcomes were similar between groups over the remaining time. At the end of follow-up, no significant differences were found regarding allograft acute rejection (2.6% and 2.4%), new-onset diabetes (15.7% vs 12.2%) or cardiovascular events (5.2% vs 7.3%). CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant benefit on renal function after conversion from IR-TAC to PR-TAC. During the first year after RT, EC presented improved renal function, but higher treatment costs. None of these differences persisted at the end of follow-up.