Convective-controlled double high flux hemodiafiltration: a novel blood purification modality.

Convective-controlled double high flux hemodiafiltration (CC-DHF) was set-up using two high flux dialyzers. The convection occurred in the first while the fluid replacement took place in the second dialyzer. The system of CC-DHF basically resembled that of hemodiafiltration. CC-DHF was performed in 9 chronic hemodialysis Thai patients who had been treated with high flux hemodialysis for at least 6 months. When compared with high flux hemodialysis, CC-DHF could provide higher Kt/Vurea (2.4+/-0.4 vs. 2.0+/-0.4, p<0.05) and beta2-microglobulin clearance (106.2+/-15.4 vs. 48.9+/-6.1 ml/min, p<0.01). Following 6-month therapy of CC-HDF, the predialysis beta2-microglobulin levels were reduced by 12.7% while the values of Kt/Vurea were consistently higher than 2.7. The quality of life consistently improved during the 6 months of CC-DHF treatment. There were no differences in clinical and technical complications between CC-DHF and high flux hemodialysis. In conclusion, CC-DHF could provide performance comparable to hemodiafiltration without the need for expensive hemodiafiltration machines.

Monitoring of T-cell subsets in patients treated with anti-CD 25 antibody.

Daclizumab and basiliximab, the antibodies to the interleukin-2 receptor (anti-IL-2R), decrease the incidence of acute rejection in renal transplantation. However, prolonged blockade of IL-2 receptor (IL-2R:CD25) may hamper apoptosis of reactive T-cell clones and thus may obstruct tolerance induction. We determined the effect of varying doses of anti-IL-2R on the number of CD3+CD25+ cells as an index of CD 25 blockade. The number of CD3+CD25+ cells was determined in four groups of induction therapies: no antibody induction; two doses of 50 or 25 mg daclizumab on day 0 and day 14; and two doses of 20 mg basiliximab at day 0 and day 4 (n=10, 24, 10, and 10, respectively). The number of CD3+CD25+ cells were monitored in whole blood before antibody infusion as well as 24 hours thereafter and weekly after transplantation. With two doses of 50 mg daclizumab, two doses of 25 mg daclizumab, and two doses of 20 mg basiliximab, the expression of CD3+CD25+ cells was completely suppressed for 12, 10, and 12 weeks posttransplantation, respectively. The reappearance of CD3+CD25+ cells above the baseline for each induction regimen was: 17 weeks for two doses of 50 mg daclizumab, 11 weeks for two doses of 25 mg daclizumab, and 13 weeks for two doses of 20 mg basiliximab. Monitoring of CD3+CD25+ cells may be utilized to tailor anti-IL-2R administration at a minimal dosage, yet retaining adequate IL-2R blockade for at least 3 months posttransplantation.

Pharmacokinetic studies of cyclosporin in Thai kidney transplantation patients.

Pharmacokinetic studies were performed in 10 Thai patients with kidney transplantation who received microemulsion formulation (Neoral) of cyclosporin A (CsA) twice daily. No agents having pharmacokinetic effect on CsA had been used in these patients. The mean values of 12-h AUC (area under the concentration-blood curve) were 4603.63 +/- 344.61 ng x h/ml. CsA concentrations at 2 hours after dosing had the best value of correlation coefficient with the 12-h AUC. Abbreviated AUC could be calculated by stepwise multiple linear regression analysis and linear trapezoidal rule. The latter is more simple and superior to the former one.

Hypouricemia, hypokalemia, proximal and distal tubular acidification defect following administration of outdated tetracycline: a case report.

A Thai female patient developed muscular weakness, hypouricemia, hypokalemia and hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis after taking outdated tetracycline. A pathophysiologic study shows a proximal tubular defect for reabsorption of urate and bicarbonate and a distal tubular acidification defect, probably caused by outdated tetracycline.

Monoclonal antibody (OKT3) rescue in refractory acute renal allograft rejection: report of 3 cases.

We report the first experience in Thailand with the use of OKT3 (monoclonal anti T lymphocyte antibody) in rescuing an acute rejection unresponsive to methylprednisolone pulses in 3 cadaveric renal transplant patients. The treatment regimen was 10 daily 5 mg intravenous injections of OKT3. In the first and second patients OKT3 was started on days 26 and 18 of the rejection episode. In the third one OKT3 was given when he became anuric secondary to severe acute rejection. Within 24 hours of the therapy, urine flow increased. A brisk diuresis and a decline in serum creatinine started within 4 days. The kidney function returned to normal within the 10-day course of therapy. Side effects were fever, conjunctivitis, stuffiness of nose and herpes infection.

Acute interstitial nephritis in snake bite.

Acute renal failure with prolonged oliguria was observed in a patient following the bite of a Russell's viper (Vipera russellii siamensis). Renal biopsy revealed interstitial nephritis in addition to tubular necrosis and mesangial proliferation usually noted. There was no deposition of immunoglobulins. The finding expands the spectrum of renal changes in snake bite.