Glomerular diseases related to HIV in Colombian population: Better outcomes with highly active antiretroviral therapy?

INTRODUCTION: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) related to HIV is becoming a leading cause of renal replacement therapy requirement is some areas of the world. Our study aims to describe the incidence and renal outcomes of HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN), and immune-mediated kidney disease related to HIV (HIVICK) in Colombia. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective cohort study was performed, including all HIVAN or HIVICK incident cases assessed by the infectious diseases division in a high complexity institution in Colombia, between 2004 and 2018. A longitudinal data model under the Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) method was used to determine changes on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) over time. RESULTS: Within a cohort composed by 1509 HIV-infected patients, we identified 22 with HIV-associated glomerular disease. Cumulative incidence was 1.45%. At diagnosis, GFR was above 30 mL/min in 90.8% of patients, and 77.2% displayed sub-nephrotic proteinuria. Factors associated with GFR at diagnosis were: level of CD4 (Coefficient 0.113, CI 95 %: 0.046, 0.179, p < 0.01), and the inverse of the CD4/CD8 ratio. The GEE model did not demonstrate significant changes in the GFR over a 3-year period. Findings were similar when comparing GFR at diagnosis with GFR at 12 (-3.9 mL/min/1.73m2, CI 95% -7.3, 0.4, p = 0.98), 24 (-2.47 mL/min/1.73m2, CI 95% -7.0, 2.1, p=0.85), and 36 months (0.39 mL/min/1.73m2, CI 95% -4.4, 5.2, p = 0.43) of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with glomerular disease associated with HIV have stable GFR over a 3-year period, and low rates of progression towards dialysis requirement. Differences with previous reports could be related with early diagnosis and treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Compromiso renal en pacientes HIV+ / Renal abnormalities in HIV infected patients

Varias complicaciones nefrológicas pueden ocurrir durante la infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (HIV) especialmente en estadios avanzados de la enfermedad o relacionadas con otras infecciones o drogas. Poco conocida es la prevalencia de alteraciones renales subclínicas de pacientes HIV+ surgidas como complicación o relacionadas a la infección y/o tratamiento. Realizamos un corte transversal de pacientes asintomáticos HIV+ referidos en forma consecutiva al consultorio de nefrología para la detección de alteraciones nefrológicas. Se estudiaron 52 pacientes adultos mediante exámenes de sangre y orina, ultrasonido y biopsia renal. Edad media 39.9 ± 10.6 años, 88% varones, tiempo de diagnóstico de la infección: 53.2 ± 41.2 (2-127) meses. El 71% tenían síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida (HIV-sida) y el 77% recibían con antirretrovirales. La carga viral al momento del estudio fue 7043 ± 3322 copias y el recuento de CD4+ 484 ± 39 cel/mm³. El 30.7% presentó alteraciones del sedimento urinario: albuminuria: 16.6%, hematuria microscópica: 11.5%, hipercalciuria: 10.8% y cristaluria 6%. La media del filtrado glomerular fue 102.2 ± 22.9 ml/min (rango: 34-149). El 41% presentó anormalidades que corresponderían a enfermedad renal crónica (estadios 1 a 3). Los pacientes con alteraciones tenían mayor edad, con duración más prolongada de la infección. Las anomalías renales no se asociaron con mayor prevalencia de HIV-sida. Dos pacientes fueron biopsiados, con hallazgos de nefritis túbulo-intersticial crónica con cristales y glomerulonefritis por IgA. No hubo hallazgos de nefropatía por HIV. El amplio espectro y la alta prevalencia de anormalidades nefrológicas subclínicas encontradas sugieren que los pacientes asintomáticos HIV+ deberían realizar evaluaciones nefrológicas de rutina.

Several renal complications may occur during HIV infection, especially in advanced stages related to HIV, to other infectious agents and/or drugs. Little is known about the prevalence of renal diseases that may occur as a complication of or related to HIV infection in asymptomatic patients. This is a single center cross-sectional study of asymptomatic HIV+ patients referred to a nefrology care service at an Argentine hospital to look for the presence of renal abnormalities. Fifty two consecutive patients were studied between April and November 2008. Patients underwent plasma and urine analysis, ultrasound, and kidney biopsy as needed. Mean age was 39.9 ± 10.6 years, 88% were male, time from HIV diagnosis 53.2 ± 41.2 months (2-127); 71% had HIV-disease and 77% were on antiretroviral therapy. Mean plasma HIV-RNA copies number was 7.043 ± 3.322 and CD4+ cell count: 484 ± 39. Pathologic findings in urine analysis were present in 30.7% of patients: albuminuria 16.6%, microscopic hematuria 11.5%, hypercalciuria 10.8% and crystalluria 6%. Mean glomerular filtration rate was 102.2 ± 22.95 ml/min (34-149) and 41% of patients could be classified in stages 1 to 3 of chronic kidney disease. Renal abnormalities prevaled in older patients without relationship with presence of HIV-disease. Two patients were biopsied and the findings included: tubulointerstitial nephritis with presence of crystal deposition in one and IgA nephropathy in the other. No HIV-associated nephropathy was detected. The broad spectrum and the high prevalence of lesions found in this series suggest that asymptomatic HIV-infected patients should routinely undergo renal evaluation.

Compromiso renal e infección por VIH/SIDA en pacientes atendidos en un hospital pediátrico chileno / Renal compromise in HIV/AIDS in patients attended at a Chilean children hospital

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of renal abnormalities in HIV positive children hospitalized in one pediatric hospital in Chile. Method: a cross sectional study was performed during April 2007. Results: A total of 18 patients were evaluated, ten male and eight female ranging in age from 4 to 19 years. The average age at the time of HIV diagnosis and nephrologic evaluations were 2,69 and 10,7 years respectively. All patients had acquired HIV infection by vertical transmission. Uriñe samples of two children had microalbuminuria; two had monosymptomatic hematuria, and ten had ¿squamous? cells. Hypercalciuria was detected in one patient, renal lithiasis in another and two patients had abnormal renal ultrasonography. All 19 patients had normal blood pressures. Overall 7 patients (39 percent) had a renal abnormality. Conclusions: The relatively high incidence of renal abnormalities in our series support the need for a nation-wide screening program to assess the incidence of renal impairment in pediatric HIV positive patients.

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la función renal de pacientes infectados con virus de inmuno-deficiencia humana (VIH) que se controlan en un hospital pediátrico chileno. Método: estudio de corte transversal. Resultados: Se evaluaron 18 pacientes, 10 varones y 8 mujeres; edad: entre 4 y 19 años, la edad promedio al diagnóstico de la infección por VIH y al momento de la evaluación fue 2,69 y 10,7 años, respectivamente. Todos nuestros pacientes adquirieron la infección vía vertical. Dos presentaron microalbuminuria y dos hematuria monosintomática. En 10 (55 por ciento) se encontraron células descamativas, en uno hiper-calciuria y en otro litiasis renal. Todos tuvieron presión arterial normal. La ecotomograña renal fue anormal en dos. Se han descrito varias anormalidades renales en pacientes con infección por VIH; en nuestro estudio, 7 pacientes (39 por ciento) tuvieron alteraciones en los exámenes de laboratorio. Conclusión: La alta frecuencia de afectación renal encontrada en pacientes pediátricos con infección por VIH hace necesario plantear un tamizaje nacional para determinar la incidencia de nefropatía asociada en nuestros pacientes.