A five consecutive years' study of renal function outcome among biopsy proven lupus nephritis patients in Southern Iran.

Introduction Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most common complications of systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) responsible for an increase in mortality and morbidity. This study was conducted to evaluate the outcome for LN patients and factors that correlate with their outcome. Materials and methods We included 80 patients with proved LN and more than three-years follow up at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. We prepared a data gathering sheet for each patient and extracted the data from patients' file records which existed in the hospital. Results The mean age of patients was 36.6 ± 10.6 years, and 88.3% of patients were women. Men develop remission less than women (three men (33.3%) vs 49 women (72.1%), p = 0.014). Chronic kidney disease (GFR < 60) developed in 14.2% of our patients, and 7.8% progressed to end stage renal disease (ESRD). We found a significant relation between initial creatinine (Cr), GFR, and urine 24 hour protein with developing ESRD ( p = 0.002, 0.039, < 0.001, respectively). Also we found that hypertensive patients are at risk of developing ESRD 0.4 times more than normotensive patients ( p = 0.047, CI: 0.131-0.985). Lack of remission was significantly associated with ESRD progression ( p = 0.025). Conclusion There is a strong agreement among studies that initial Cr, hypertension and lack of remission are associated with poor outcome in LN patients. As a result we must observe hypertensive patients and patients with increased Cr more carefully. Also, we should consider changing treatment in patients who do not develop remission. In spite of dominancy of women in SLE, men are likely to have poorer outcomes.

Frequency of Polyomavirus BK Infection in Kidney Transplant Patients Suspected to Nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Polyomavirus BK is a major cause of nephropathy in immunosuppressed transplanted patients. Non-invasive diagnostic protocols such as molecular detection of polyomavirus BK replication are a useful strategy to predict BK virus-associated nephropathy (BKVAN). OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of polyomavirus BK infection among kidney transplant patients suspected to have BKVAN. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study 108 kidney transplanted patients whose laboratory and clinical presentation were in favor of nephropathy between 2010 and 2012, were enrolled for analysis. Polyomavirus BK replication was evaluated in plasma and tissue samples of studied patients using a quantitative real-time PCR. Active cytomegalovirus infection was analyzed in studied patients using antigenemia method. A possible association between polyomavirus BK infection with clinical and laboratory risk factors of BKVAN were evaluated. RESULTS: The polyomavirus BK replication was found in 17 (15.7%) of 108 of plasma and 9 (11%) of 82 tissue samples in kidney transplanted patients. Cytomegalovirus co-infection was found in 3 of 17 and 3 of 9 plasma and tissue samples in polyomavirus BK infected patients, respectively. Significant associations were found between polyomavirus BK infection with tubulointerstitial nephritis and acute cellular rejection, as important pathologic findings of BKVAN. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of single and co-infection of polyomavirus BK infection in plasma samples is a useful assay to evaluate the risk of BKVAN in kidney transplant patients. Established threshold values for studied viral infections have beneficial use in screening of kidney transplant patients at risk of BKVAN, need to confirm and standardized in completed further studies.

Urinary monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and transforming growth factor-ß in systemic lupus erythematosus.

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the correlation of two biomarkers with the occurrence of renal flares in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Urine levels of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) were measured at baseline, and at two and four months in five groups of patients: 25 lupus nephritis patients with active disease (active LN), 10 lupus nephritis patients with SLE in remission (remission LN), 25 patients with clinical active SLE and without nephritis (active NLN), 10 patients without nephritis with SLE in remission (remission NLN) and 10 healthy controls. We used repeated measurement and ANOVA with Duncan's post hoc to analyze the data; the urine level of the two proteins could distinguish the groups based on the existence of lupus nephritis and/or activity of SLE disease. Furthermore we performed receiver operating curve analysis to identify a cutoff point with a good sensitivity and specificity to diagnose lupus nephritis with either one of the urine proteins. Finally the samples from active LN were grouped according to whether they were Class IV or other classes. Baseline urinary MCP-1, but not TGF-ß, was significantly different between the classes. Further investigation into the use of these cytokines in a prospective study is needed to determine their capacity as diagnostic tools for renal flares.

Oral health status in Iranian hemodialysis patients.

Due to increased survival among hemodialysis (HD) patients, new problems including concerns of oral health have appeared. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the oral health status and related risk factors in Iranian HD patients. Demographic information, medical history, laboratory findings, and dental health status were gathered. The decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria was obtained. Kt/V was calculated for patients. A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Seventy-two patients were evaluated, with a mean age and HD time of 53.4±15.3 years and 36.9±33.8 months, respectively. Thirty-five (48.6%) complained of dry mouth, 33 (49.3%) of taste change, 22 (31%) of malodor mouth, and 30 (46.9%) had dental calculus. The overall mean DMFT score was 18.6±9.9. DMFT score had a negative significant correlation with Kt/V (r=-0.4, P=0.004). Women and singles as well as patients with a low educational level and/or lesser dialysis time had a significantly higher DMFT score (P<0.05). Kt/V was significantly lower in patients suffering from dry mouth and dental calculus (P<0.05). Interestingly DMFT score was significantly lower in patients with dental calculus compared to patients without it (P=0.001). It seems that our patients have a poor dental hygiene level and high DMFT score especially women, singles, patients with low Kt/V and a low education level. The oral health maintenance program for a patient receiving dialysis should be reinforced in our centers.

Effects of right ventricular septal versus apical pacing on plasma natriuretic peptide levels.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the contribution of right ventricular (RV) pacing sites to the cardiac function, this study compares plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels during RV septal and apical pacing in patients implanted with a pacemaker. MATERIALS AND METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy-four consecutive patients with indication for permanent pacing were included. To provide for the possibility of appropriate subgroup analyses, patients were stratified according to their pacing mode into two groups: Those with dual chamber DDD(R)/VDD pacemakers (41 patients, mean age 54.1±18.4 years), and those with single chamber VVI pacemakers (33 patients, mean age 60.6±18.4 years). A prospective single-blinded randomized design was used. Randomization (1:1 way) was between lead placement on the RV septum or RV apex and occurred during the implant in both groups. Compared to baseline, a significant decrease in BNP (429.8±103 pg/ml and 291.7±138 pg/ml, respectively) levels was observed during DDD(R) /VDD pacing after two months. In contrast, during VVI (R) pacing, a significant increase in BNP levels was observed (657.5±104 pg/ml and 889.5±139 pg/ml, respectively). To determine the impact of pacing sites on cardiac function, we assessed the changes in BNP levels in each group separately. Despite the significant difference in the pattern of changes between the two groups (P < 0.02), no significant changes were observed within groups regarding the acute effect of the pacing site (RV apex vs. RV septal) on BNP levels (P=NS). CONCLUSIONS: Our main result showed no significant differences between pacing sites and concluded that hemodynamic improvement could be substantially influenced by pacing mode, more than by pacing site.

Laboratory effect of HBV infection in kidney transplant recipients and donors.

BACKGROUND: Viral infections are the most common cause of opportunistic infections after kidney transplantation. Among hepatotropic viruses that induce kidney graft failure and rejection, hepatitis B virus (HBV) has an important and critical role. Extrahepatic HBV-related disorders increase morbidity and mortality in kidney transplant recipients. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the molecular prevalence of HBV infection in kidney transplant recipients and donors before and after transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 273 serum samples collected between 2005 and 2008 in 96 kidney transplant recipients and 59 donors. Detection of HBV DNA was via amplification of the S gene fragment of HBV genome using a qualitative simple polymerase chain reaction assay. Also analyzed were statistical relationships between HBV infection and laboratory and clinical demographic data in all kidney transplant donors and recipients. RESULTS: The HBV genome was detected in 102 of 273 serum samples. Molecular HBV infection was demonstrated in 2 of 13 serum samples (15.4%) from recipients tested before transplantation. HBV DNA was detected in 42 of 96 patients (43.7%) after kidney transplantation. The HBV genome was demonstrated in 21 of 59 donors (35.6%).Significant relationships were observed between HBV infections and hematologic and biochemical indices after kidney transplantation. CONCLUSION: Detection of a high molecular prevalence of HBV infection in kidney recipients enforces the importance of HBV infection in clinical outcome.