Likely Recurrence of C3 Glomerulonephritis in Kidney Transplantation: An Entity to Bear in Mind: Case Report.

BACKGROUND: C3 glomerulonephritis (C3GN) is an unusual entity that is caused by dysregulation and hyperactivity of the alternative complement pathway. Renal biopsy immunofluorescence study shows C3 deposits with absence of immunoglobulins and markers of the classical complement pathway. More than 50% of cases develop end-stage renal disease. Less well-known is the course of C3GN after kidney transplantation. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 60-year-old woman with chronic kidney disease secondary to chronic glomerulonephritis of unknown origin who received a kidney transplant. Two years later, she presented worsening renal function with non-nephrotic proteinuria and microhematuria. Complement testing revealed low serum levels of C3. Kidney biopsy showed alterations compatible with C3GN that we interpreted as a relapse of the underlying disease.

Associated characteristics and impact on survival of post renal-transplantation lymphoproliferative disease: case-control study from a regional registry.

BACKGROUND: Lymphoproliferative disease (LPD) after renal transplantation (RT) is an unusual complication but one that impacts greatly on survival. We examined possible predisposing factors and their effect on survival using data from the Andalusian Transplant Co-ordination Information System (SICATA) regional computerized database of patients on renal replacement therapy due to chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: The study population comprised all RT undertaken at adult centers in Andalusia from January 1, 1990 to December 31, 2009 (N = 5577). We retrospectively analyzed cases at December 31, 2011 (N = 60). A control group comprised the 2 closest RT in time done at the same center and with equal or greater graft survival at the time of diagnosis of LPD in the associated case (N = 120). The basic variables were obtained from the general register (1990-2009) and widened from the specific register (2000-2009). Case-control comparison of survival was done with Kaplan-Meier from diagnosis to death or organ loss censored for death. Cox univariate and multivariate (LPD plus available covariables of demonstrated effect) analyses were done. RESULTS: We found no significant differences between cases and controls regarding the characteristics of the recipient or of the donor/organ, initial immunosuppression by intention to treat, or post-RT course. The impact on recipient survival 5 years after diagnosis was as follows: LPD, 35%; controls, 90% (P < .000). Cox univariate analysis showed the relative risk (RR) of death for LPD was 11.36 (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.2-20.9; P < .000) and the multivariate analysis showed relative risk (RR) = 13.87 (7.45-25.3; P < .000). The impact on death-censored graft survival 5 years after diagnosis was as follows: LPD, 65%; controls, 87% (P = .007). Cox univariate analysis was as follows: RR of failure for LPD, 2.70 (95% CI, 1.3-5.7; P = .009). CONCLUSIONS: We found no significant differences between LPD cases and contemporary controls regarding the basic characteristics of the recipient, donor/organ, initial immunosuppression, or initial graft evolution. There was an enormous impact on both patient and graft survival.

Impact of blood amylase peak over vascular graft thrombosis in pancreas transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Vascular graft thrombosis (VGT) is still the achuilles heel in pancreas transplantation (PT); it is the main cause of nonimmunologic graft loss. Early diagnosis is essential to avoid transplantectomy. The aim of our study was to analyze the peak amylase during the first 3 days after PT as risk factor for VGT. METHODS: This retrospective study included 58 pancreas transplants in 55 patients from January 2007 to November 2011. They underwent an anticoagulation protocol based on unfractionated heparin and low-molecular-weight heparin. The technique consisted of enteric drainage and systemic venous drainage. The primary endpoint was VGT with consideration of multiple relevant variables. The maximum amylase level was determined during the first 3 days after transplantation. A receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to establish a cutoff point as (mean plus one standard deviation; 745 mg/dL), calculating the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. RESULTS: Recipient characteristics were 71% males with an overall mean age of 39 years (range, 23-55) and body mass index 24 (range, 19-36). The donor sex was similar. Mean donor age was 32 years with occurrences of hypotension in 9%, cerebrovascular brain death in 46%. Mean ischemia time was 10 hours and 45 minutes. Mean blood amylase peak was 395 mg/dL. Seven VGT cases were diagnosed during the postoperative period including six with complete thrombosis requring transplantectomy. Bivariate analysis showed the group of subjects with amylase levels above 745 mg/dL to display on eight-fold greater risk for VGT (odds ratio = 8.6; P = .032). The area under the curve of blood amylase peak during the first 3 days to detect VGT was 0.630 (95% confidence interval 0.41-0.84). CONCLUSIONS: A blood amylase peak above 745 mg/dL in the first 3 days after transplantation was associated with risk for VGT.

Creatinine clearance and proteinuria as early markers of kidney graft survival.

INTRODUCTION: In patients who receive a kidney transplant from expanded criteria donors (ECDs), few studies are available concerning the relation between the clinical characteristics, pretransplant biopsies, and graft outcomes. AIM: To identify early clinical markers predicting worse graft survival in recipients of kidneys from ECDs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1999 and 2006, we performed a prospective, observational study in 180 recipients of kidney grafts from ECDs that had undergone a preoperative biopsy to evaluate viability. The patients received immunosuppression with basiliximab, late introduction of tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and steroids. Data were gathered on demographic and posttransplantation clinical characteristics at 1, 3, 6, and 9 months, including estimates of proteinuria and of the glomerular filtration rate using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula. RESULTS: The mean age of the donors was 63.54 years and of the recipients, 58.38 years. A creatinine clearance below the median (40 mL/min, interquartile range 32-50 mL/min) in the first posttransplant year was significantly associated with worse death-censored graft survival (log-rank 14.22, P<.0001). A proteinuria value above the median (100 mg/24 h, interquartile range 40-275 mg/24 h) at 1 year posttransplant significantly reduced the death-censored graft survival (log-rank 14.3, P<.0001). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that a creatinine clearance<40 mL/min in the first year (hazards ratio [HR] 5.7, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.62-20.37; P=.007) and proteinuria at 1 year greater tan 100 mg/24 h (HR 8.3, 95% CI 2.15-32.06; P=.002) were independent risk factors for death-censored graft loss after adjusting for donor age and acute rejection episodes. CONCLUSIONS: Limited renal function and/or low proteinuria at 1 year posttransplant were associated with worse kidney graft survival among recipients of kidneys from ECDS.