Avaliação do tratamento com penicilina em pacientes com leptospirose e insuficiência renal aguda

The effectiveness of specific antibiotic treatment in severe leptospirosis is still under debate. As part of a prospective study designed to evaluate renal function recovery after leptospirosis acute renal failure (ARF) (ARF was defined as Pcr >; or = 1.5 mg/dL), the clinical evolutions of 16 treated patients (T) were compared to those of 18 untreated patients (nT). Treatment or non-treatment was the option of each patient's attending infectologist. The penicillin treatment was always with 6 million IU/day for 8 days. No difference was found between the two groups in terms of age, gender, number of days from onset of symptoms to hospital admission, or results of laboratory tests performed upon admission and during hospitalization, but proteinuria was higher in the treated group. There were no significant difference in the other parameters employed to evaluate patients' clinical evolution as: length of hospital stay, days of fever, days to normalization of renal function, days to total bilirubins normalized or reached 1/3 of maximum value and days to normalization of platelet counts. Dialytic treatment indication and mortality were similar between group T and nT. In conclusion, penicillin therapy did not provide better clinical outcome in patients with leptospirosis and ARF.A eficácia da antibioticoterapia no tratamento da leptospirose humana tem sido motivo de discussão. Como parte de um trabalho prospectivo para avaliar a recuperação da função renal após a insuficiência renal aguda (IRA) da leptospirose (IRA definida como Pcr >; ou = 1,5 mg/dL), comparou-se a evolução clínica durante a internação de 16 pacientes, com leptospirose grave, tratados (T) com 18 não tratados (nT). O tratamento com ou sem penicilina foi opção de cada infectologista responsável pelo paciente. Quando tratados, foi administrado penicilina 6 milhões de U/dia por 8 dias. Os parâmetros analisados como idade, sexo, tempo do início dos sintomas à admissão, exames laboratoriais da admissão e internação não foram significativamente diferentes nos dois grupos, exceto pela proteinúria que foi significativamente mais elevada no grupo T. A recuperação clínica da doença avaliada pelo tempo: de internação, de febre, para função renal e níveis de plaquetas normalizarem e para os níveis de bilirrubinas totais caírem a 1/3 do valor máximo ou normalizar não foram diferentes no grupo tratado e não tratado. A indicação do tratamento dialítico e a mortalidade também não foram diferentes nos dois grupos. Conclui-se que na leptospirose com IRA o tratamento com penicilina não mudou o curso da doença

Tuberculosis-Associated Chronic Kidney Disease

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) account for approximately 15–20% of TB cases in immunocompetent patients. The genitourinary system is the third most commonly affected site. We report the case of a 20-year-old man admitted with fever, chills, dry cough, right flank pain, and oliguria who developed renal function loss. The pyelogram evidenced silence of the right kidney, and the abdominal and pelvic magnetic resonance showed significant dilation of the right pyelocaliceal system and proximal ureter. Biopsies of renal cortex and retroperitoneal lymph nodes showed caseous granuloma consistent with TB. Treatment was started with rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol, and the patient presented a favorable outcome but with non-dialytic chronic kidney disease. This case illustrates a case of chronic kidney disease secondary to TB in a young, otherwise healthy man

Avaliação das alterações da hemostasia e anticorpo anticardiolipina em pacientes com a forma grave da leptospirose

A prospective study was designed to evaluate disorders of hemostasis and levels of anticardiolipin antibodies (ACL) in 30 patients with severe leptospirosis and acute renal failure (ARF) (ARF was defined as serum creatinine >; or = 1.5 mg/dL). The patients had been admitted to the Walter Cantídio University Hospital, São José Infectious Diseases Hospital and General Hospital of Fortaleza, Ceará, from August 1999 to July 2001. They all were male, with a mean age of 32 ± 14 years and with clinical and laboratory diagnoses of ARF leptospirosis. The time elapsed between onset of symptoms and the first hemorrhagic manifestation was 9 ± 4 days. Bleeding was observed in 86% of the patients. Laboratory tests showed significantly high levels of urea (181 ±95 mg/dl), fibrinogen, (515 ± 220 mg/dl), prothrombin time (13.3 ± 0.9 seconds) and low platelet counts (69 ± 65x10³/mm³) on admission. There was no elevation in activated partial thromboplastin time or thrombin time. Levels of IgM and IgG ACL concentrations were significantly increased (p ; ou = 1,5 mg/dl). Os pacientes foram internados no Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio, Hospital São José de Doenças Infecciosas e Hospital Geral de Fortaleza, Ceará, de agosto/1999 a julho/2001. Todos eram do sexo masculino com idade de 32 ± 14 anos e apresentavam manifestações clínicas com diagnóstico laboratorial de leptospirose associada à IRA. O tempo do início dos sintomas ao aparecimento das manifestações hemorrágicas foi de 9 ± 4 dias. As manifestações hemorrágicas foram observadas em 86% dos pacientes. Dados laboratoriais mostraram níveis significativamente elevados de uréia, 181 ±95 mg/dl; fibrinogênio, 515 ± 220 mg/dl; tempo ativado de protrombina, 13,3 ± 0,9 seg e diminuição das plaquetas, 69 ± 65x10³/mm³ na admissão. Não houve alteração no tempo de trombina e de tromboplastina parcial ativado. Os níveis de ACL IgG e IgM estavam significativamente elevados (p < 0,05) na forma grave da leptospirose quando comparados ao grupo controle (28,5 ± 32,4 vs. 11,5 ± 7,9MPL U/ml e 36,7 ± 36,1 vs. 6,5 ± 2,5 GPL U/ml), respectivamente. A vasculite, trombocitopenia e uremia devem ser consideradas como fatores importantes na patogênese dos distúrbios hemorrágicos observados na forma grave da leptospirose que constituem a principal causa de óbito na doença

Acidose tubular renal distal associada à paralisia periódica hipocalêmica

A acidose tubular renal distal (tipo I) consiste em uma doença de curso crônico na qual ocorre secreção inadequada de prótons no túbulo distal. A depleção de potássio resultante dessa patologia, se não tratada precocemente, pode acarretar paralisia hipocalêmica em raros casos, podendo inclusive levar ao óbito do paciente por complicações decorrentes dessa condição. O presente artigo visa relatar o caso de uma paciente acompanhada no Serviço de Nefrologia do Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio. Essa jovem possui acidose tubular renal distal, tendo evoluído com paralisia hipocalêmica. Ao longo de dez anos de acompanhamento no nosso serviço, a paciente apresentou vários episódios de paralisia hipocalêmica, alguns dos quais associados a extrassístoles ventriculares, devido à dificuldade de aderência ao tratamento. Foi evidenciada, ainda, nefrocalcinose, nefrolitíase, acidose metabólica hiperclorêmica e pH urinário inadequadamente alto

Emphysematous and xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis: rare diagnosis

AbstractPyelonephritis is a pyogenic infection of renal parenchyma that involves the renal pelvis. It is generally of easy diagnosis. The present case report aims to describe two different manifestations of this infection: xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis and emphysematous pyelonephritis, which have poor prognosis and require a more effective treatment. The two cases were women in the fiftieth and sixtieth decade of life, with diabetes mellitus and history of weight loss. The diagnosis of the renal infection was established through computed tomography and the treatment was based in surgical procedure, with favorable outcome

Pancreatitis as a severe complication of leptospirosis with fatal outcome: a case report

Leptospirosis is a globally distributed zoonosis with a broad clinical spectrum. This disease mostly affects liver and kidney tissues. Other organs such as the pancreas, can be affected by leptospirosis-induced vasculitis. In addition, cardiac manifestations are common, and the presence of transient ECG abnormalities can be found in 70% of the patients. We report a male patient who presented with an atypical leptospirosis that progressed with severe acute pancreatitis, acute kidney injury and atrial fibrillation. Early diagnosis and adequate supportive therapy are crucial for the appropriated management of symptoms

Kidney involvement in malaria: an update

Malaria is an infectious disease of great importance for Public Health, as it is the most prevalent endemic disease in the world, affecting millions of people living in tropical areas of the globe. Kidney involvement is relatively frequent in infections by P. falciparum and P. malariae, but has also been described in the infection by P. vivax. Kidney complications in malaria mainly occur due to hemodynamic dysfunction and immune response. Liver complications leading to hepatomegaly, jaundice and hepatic dysfunction can also contribute to the occurrence of acute kidney injury. Histologic studies in malaria also evidence glomerulonephritis, acute tubular necrosis and acute interstitial nephritis. It is also possible to find chronic kidney disease associated with malaria, mainly in those patients suffering from repeated episodes of infection. Plasmodium antigens have already been detected in the glomeruli, suggesting a direct effect of the parasite in the kidney, which can trigger an inflammatory process leading to different types of glomerulonephritis. Clinical manifestations of kidney involvement in malaria include proteinuria, microalbuminuria and urinary casts, reported in 20 to 50% of cases. Nephrotic syndrome has also been described in the infection by P. falciparum, but it is rare. This paper highlights the main aspects of kidney involvement in malaria and important findings of the most recent research addressing this issue

Síndrome cardiorrenal: fisiopatologia e tratamento

A doença renal crônica (DRC) é um dos principais problemas de saúde pública mundial. A anemia é um frequente achado na DRC, afetando aproximadamente 90% dos pacientes. A relação entre anemia e doença cardiovascular já é bastante estabelecida e resulta de alterações na estrutura do ventrículo esquerdo e sua função. A anemia per se pode induzir significante morbidade cardíaca na ausência de doença renal e é um fator de risco independente para complicações cardíacas em paciente com insuficiência renal. O presente artigo de revisão avalia as inter-relações entre anemia, insuficiência cardíaca e doença renal, incluídas recentemente na chamada síndrome da anemia cardiorrenal.Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most important problems of public health, worldwide. Anemia is frequent in CKD, affecting approximately 90% of patients. The relationship between anemia and cardiovascular disease is well established and is due to alterations in left ventricular structure and function. Anemia per se can lead to significant cardiac morbidity in the absence of renal disease and is an independent risk factor for cardiac complication in the patient with renal insufficiency. The present review evaluates the inter-relations between anemia, heart failure and renal disease, which were recently included in the so-called cardio-renal anemia syndrome

Acometimento pancreático em casos fatais de leptospirose humana: aspectos clínicos e histopatológicos

Hyperamylasemia has been reported in more than 65% of patients with severe leptospirosis, and the true diagnosis of acute pancreatitis is complicated by the fact that renal failure can increase serum amylase levels. Based on these data we retrospectively analyzed the clinical and histopathological features of pancreas involvement in 13 cases of fatal human leptospirosis. The most common signs and symptoms presented at admission were fever, chills, vomiting, myalgia, dehydratation, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Trombocytopenia was evident in 11 patients. Mild increased of AST and ALT levels was seen in 9 patients. Hyperamylasemia was recorded in every patient in whom it was measured, with values above 180 IU/L (3 cases). All patients presented acute renal failure and five have been submitted to dialytic treatment. The main cause of death was acute respiratory failure due to pulmonary hemorrhage. Pancreas fragments were collected for histological study and fat necrosis was the criterion used to classify acute pancreatitis. Histological pancreatic findings were edema, mild inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes, hemorrhage, congestion, fat necrosis and calcification. All the patients infected with severe form of leptospirosis who develop abdominal pain should raise the suspect of pancreatic involvement.Hiperamilasemia tem sido documentada em mais de 65% dos pacientes com leptospirose severa, e o diagnóstico de pancreatite aguda torna-se difícil pelo fato de que a insuficiência renal pode aumentar os níveis séricos de amilase. Assim, foram analisadas, retrospectivamente, as características clínicas e histopatológicas do acometimento pancreático em 13 casos fatais de leptospirose humana. Os sinais e sintomas mais comuns foram febre, calafrios, vômitos, mialgia, desidratação, dor abdominal e diarréia. Trombocitopenia foi encontrada em 11 pacientes. Elevação dos níveis de AST e ALT foi observada em nove casos. Hiperamilasemia foi detectada em todos os pacientes em que foi dosada, com valores acima de 180 UI/L (três casos). Todos os pacientes desenvolveram insuficiência renal aguda e cinco necessitaram de tratamento dialítico. A principal causa de morte foi insuficiência respiratória devido à hemorragia pulmonar. Fragmentos do pâncreas foram obtidos para estudo histológico, e necrose gordurosa foi o critério utilizado para classificar pancreatite. Os achados histológicos foram edema pancreático, infiltrado inflamatório discreto de linfócitos, hemorragia, congestão, necrose gordurosa e calcificação. Deve-se suspeitar de acometimento pancreático em todo paciente com a forma grave de leptospirose que desenvolve dor abdominal

Insuficiência renal aguda após numerosas picadas de abelhas

Foram relatados dois casos clínicos de pacientes que sobreviveram a ataques maciços de abelhas africanizadas (600 e 1500 picadas). As reações caracterizaram-se por edema difuso e generalizado, sensação de queimação na pele, cefaléia, fraqueza, parestesia generalizada, sonolência e hipotensão. A insuficiência renal aguda desenvolveu-se, tendo sido atribuída à hipotensão, hemólise intravascular, mioglobinúria devido à rabdomiólise e provavelmente ao efeito tóxico direto da grande quantidade de veneno injetada. Os pacientes foram tratados com agentes anti-histamínicos, corticosteróides e reposição hídrica. Um paciente apresentou quadro grave de insuficiência renal aguda necessitando de tratamento dialítico. Nenhuma complicação clínica foi observada durante a internação e ambos evoluíram bem com recuperação completa da função renal. Assim, a insuficiência renal aguda após picadas de abelhas ocorre provavelmente devido a nefropatia por pigmentos associada à hipovolemia. O rápido reconhecimento desta síndrome é crucial para o sucesso terapêutico destes pacientes.Two clinical cases of patients who survived after numerous attacks of Africanized bees (600 and 1500 bee stings, respectively) are reported. Clinical manifestation was characterized by diffuse and widespread edema, a burning sensation in the skin, headache, weakness, dizziness, generalized paresthesia, somnolence and hypotension. Acute renal failure developed and was attributed to hypotension, intravascular hemolysis, myoglobinuria due to rhabdomyolysis and probably to direct toxic effect of the massive quantity of injected venom. They were treated with antihistaminic, corticosteroids and fluid infusion. One of them had severe acute renal failure and dialysis was required. No clinical complication was observed during hospital stay and complete renal function recovery was observed in both patients. In conclusion, acute renal failure after bee stings is probably due to pigment nephropathy associated with hypovolemia. Early recognition of this syndrome is crucial to the successful management of these patients