Hyperhomocyst(e)inemia in chronic stable renal transplant patients

OBJETIVOS: A hiper-homocisteinemia é um fator de risco importante para aterosclerose e, esta é uma das principais causas de óbito em transplantados renais. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a influência da terapêutica imunossupressora na homocisteinemia de receptores de transplante renal. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODO: Vinte e nove pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: grupo I (n=20) - pacientes transplantados renais em uso de ciclosporina, azatioprina e prednisona; grupo II (n=9) - pacientes transplantados renais em uso de azatioprina e prednisona; grupo III (n=7) doadores de rim para pacientes dos grupos I e II, constituíram o grupo controle. O nível sérico de creatinina e o clearance estimado de creatinina, o nível sérico de ciclosporina, o perfil de lipídeos, a concentração de ácido fólico e vitamina B12 e as características clínicas dos indivíduos foram avaliados na procura de determinantes da homocisteinemia. A concentração sérica de homocisteína foi medida através da cromatografia de alta resolução e a concentração de ácido fólico e vitamina B12 por radio-imunoensaio. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes tinham 48.8 ± 15.1 aa e 43.3 ± 11.3 aa respectivamente, nos grupos I e II e os doadores 46.5 ± 14.8 aa. A homocisteinemia sérica média dos pacientes transplantados renais foi de 18.07 ± 8.29 mmol/l. No grupo de pacientes em uso de ciclosporina foi de 16.55 ± 5.6 mmol/l e no grupo sem ciclosporina foi de 21.44 ± 12.1 mmol/l (NS). No grupo de doadores foi significativamente menor (9.07 ± 3.06 mmol/l; grupo I + grupo II vs. grupo III, pPURPOSE: Hyperhomocyst(e)inaemia is an important risk factor for atherosclerosis, which is currently a major cause of death in renal transplant patients. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of immunosuppressive therapy on homocyst(e)inemia in renal transplant recipients. METHODS: Total serum homocysteine (by high performance liquid chromatography), creatinine, lipid profile, folic acid (by radioimmunoassay-RIA) and vitamin B12 (by RIA) concentrations were measured in 3 groups. Group I patients (n=20) were under treatment with cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisone; group II (n=9) were under treatment with azathioprine and prednisone; and group III (n=7) were composed of renal graft donors for groups I and II. Creatinine, estimated creatinine clearance, cyclosporine trough level, lipid profile, folic acid, and vitamin B12 concentrations and clinical characteristics of patients were assessed with the aim of ascertaining determinants of hyperhomocyst(e)inemia. RESULTS: Patient ages were 48.8 ± 15.1 yr (group I), 43.3 ± 11.3 yr (group II); and 46.5 ± 14.8 yr (group III). Mean serum homocyst(e)ine (tHcy) concentrations were 18.07 ± 8.29 mmol/l in renal transplant recipients; 16.55 ± 5.6 mmol/l and 21.44 ± 12.1 mmol/l respectively for group I (with cyclosporine) and group II (without cyclosporine) (NS). In renal donors, tHcy was significantly lower (9.07 ± 3.06 mmol/l; group I + group II vs. group III,

Tuberculose em pacientes transplantados renais

Tuberculosis (TB) was diagnosed in 25 of 466 patients who underwent renal transplant over a period of 15 years. TB developed from 1 month to 9 years post-transplant. In 56% of the cases the onset was within the first post-transplant year. TB affected several isolated or combined organs. Pulmonary involvement was present in 76% of cases, either as isolated pleuro-pulmonary (56%) or associated with other sites (20%). The non-pulmonary sites were: skin, joints, tests, urinary tract, central nervous system and lymphonodules. The diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy in 64% of the cases, by identification of tubercle bacilli in 24% and only at necropsy in 12% Biopsy specimens could be classified in three histological forms: exudative, that occurred in early onset and more severe cases granulomatous in late onset and benign cases; and mixed in intermediate cases. Azathioprine dosages were similar along post-transplant time periods in TB patients and in the control groups; and in TB patients who were cured and who died. The number of steroid treated rejection crises was greater in TB than in the control group. Prednisone doses were higher and the number of rejection crises was greater in TB patients who died than in those who were cured. Fifteen patients were cured and ten died, two of them of causes unrelated to TB. Six of the eight TB-related deaths occurred in the first 6 post-transplant months. The outcome was poor in patients in whom TB arose early in post-transplant period and where the exudative or mixed forms were present; whereas the prognosis was good in patients with late onset and granulomatous form of TB. In one patient TB was transmitted by the allograft.Tuberculose (TB) foi diagnosticada em 25 de 466 pacientes submetidos a transplante renal. A TB surgiu entre 1 mês e 9 anos pós-transplante. O pulmão foi acometido em 76% dos casos, isoladamente (56%), ou associado a outras localizações (20%). Os outros órgãos envolvidos foram: pele, articulações, testículos, trato urinário, sistema nervoso central e linfonodos. O diagnóstico foi confirmado por biópsia em 64% dos casos, pela identificação do bacilo em 24% e apenas à necrópsia em 12%. Três formas histológicas foram identificadas: exudativa (nos casos de aparecimento precoce e de maior gravidade) granulomatosa (naqueles benignos e de aparecimento tardio) e mista (naqueles intermediários). As doses de azatioprina foram constantes ao longo do período pós-transplante, tanto no grupo tuberculoso como no controle, bem como nos pacientes tuberculosos que faleceram e que se curaram. O número de crises de rejeição tratadas foi maior no grupo TB do que no grupo controle. As doses de prednisona e o número de crises de rejeição foram maiores nos pacientes tuberculosos que faleceram do que naqueles que sobreviveram. Quinze pacientes se curaram e 10 faleceram, oito de causas relacionadas à TB, Seis destes óbitos ocorreram nos 6 primeiros meses pós-transplante. Em um paciente a TB foi transmitida pelo enxerto

Tuberculosis in patients with chronic renal failure

Nine cases of tuberculosis (TB) were diagnosed among 800 uremic patients, followed-up during 11 years, a prevalence of 1125%, 2.5 times higher than that in the general population. Six patients (66.7%) had lymph node involvement (4 cervical and 2 mediastinal). Three patients (33.3%) had pulmonary involvement (2 pleuro-pulmonary and 1 bilateral apical pulmonary). Eight patients were undergoing dialysis and 1 was pre-dialytic. The duration of dialysis ranged from 1 to 60 months. Three patients had previously received immunosuppressive drugs for unsuccessful renal transplantation. Daily fever was present in all but one patient; he was asymptomatic and TB was suspected after routine chest radiography. Biopsy was the diagnostic procedure in 7 patients (77.8%), four by direct cervical lymph node biopsy, 2 by mediastinal, performed by mediastinoscopy and 1 by pleural biopsy. In 2 other patients TB was confirmed by the presence of tubercle bacilli; in sputum (1 patient) and in a bronchial flushing specimen (the other patient). Triple therapy was used in all patients (isoniazid and ethambutol in all), plus rifampicin in 8 and streptomycin in 1. One patient had jaundice and another had optical neuritis. Five patients were cured. The other four died during treatment of causes unrelated to TB or its treatment.Nove casos de tuberculose (TBC) foram diagnosticados entre 800 pacientes urêmicos acompanhados durante um período de 11 anos. Isto constituiu uma prevalência de 1,125%, 2,5 vezes maior que aquela da população geral. Seis pacientes (66,7%) tiveram comprometimento dos linfonodos (4 cervicais e 2 mediastinais). Três pacientes (33,3%) tiveram acometimento pulmonar (2, pleuro-pulmonar e 1, apical). Oito pacientes estavam em diálise e 1 estava na fase pré-dialítica. A duração do tratamento dialítico variou de 1 a 60 meses. Três pacientes receberam imunossupressão previamente por transplante renal mal sucedido. Febre diária esteve presente em todos pacientes, menos em um que era assintomático e cuja TBC foi suspeitada após uma radiografia de tórax rotineira anormal. Biópsia foi o procedimento diagnóstico em 7 pacientes (77,8%). Quatro foram biópsias diretas de linfonodos cervicais, 2 de linfonodos mediastinais realizadas através de mediastinos-copia e uma da pleura. Em 2 outros pacientes a TBC foi confirmada pela presença do bacilo da tuberculose; em 1 caso no escarro e em outro no lavado brônquico. Esquema tríplice foi empregado em todos os casos (isoniazida e etam-butol em todos mais rifampicína em 8 e estreptomicina em 1). Um paciente teve icterícia e outro neurite óptica. Cinco pacientes se curaram. Os outros 4 faleceram durante o tratamento por causas não relacionadas à TBC ou seu tratamento

First Report of Granulicatella sp. Endocarditis in a Kidney Transplant Patient

Abstract Granulicatella and Abiotrophia are genera of fastidious Gram-positive cocci commensal of the oral, genitourinary, and intestinal flora. We report the first case of infective endocarditis caused by Granulicatella sp. in a kidney transplant recipient. A 67-year-old male kidney transplant recipient was admitted to the hospital for investigation of fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. On physical examination, he was dehydrated. Laboratory tests identified impaired renal function (creatinine level of 15.5 mg/dl; reference, 3.0 mg/dl), metabolic acidosis, and electrolyte disturbances. Cryptosporidium sp. was identified as the cause of the diarrhea, and the infection was treated with nitazoxanide. On admission, cultures of blood, urine, and stool samples were negative. Echocardiography results were normal. Despite the antimicrobial treatment, the fever persisted. A transthoracic echocardiogram revealed infective endocarditis of the mitral valve, and Granulicatella spp. were isolated in blood cultures. Although the patient was treated with penicillin and amikacin, he evolved to septic shock of pulmonary origin and died. Infective endocarditis caused by Granulicatella sp. should be suspected in cases of culture-negative endocarditis

Doença cardiovascular e fatores de risco cardiovascular em candidatos a transplante renal Cardiovascular disease and risk factors in candidates for renal transplantation

OBJETIVO: Determinar a prevalência de doença cardiovascular (DCV) e de fatores de risco tradicionais em portadores de insuficiência renal crônica em avaliação para inclusão em lista para transplante renal. MÉTODOS: Foram submetidos à avaliação clínica e exames complementares 195 pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica dialítica e comparados a grupo de 334 hipertensos pareados por idade. As equações de Framingham foram usadas para o cálculo do risco absoluto (RA); o risco relativo (RR) foi calculado tendo como referência o risco absoluto da coorte de baixo risco de Framingham. RESULTADOS: Do total, 37% apresentaram algum tipo de doença cardiovascular na avaliação inicial, sendo que arteriopatia obstrutiva (23%) foi a mais prevalente. Excluídos os pacientes com doença cardiovascular, em relação aos fatores de risco tradicionais, houve diferença significativa quanto à pressão arterial sistólica e colesterol total (maiores no grupo de hipertensos) e às prevalências de homens, diabetes e tabagismo, maiores no grupo de insuficiência renal crônica, que apresentou maior grau de hipertrofia ventricular esquerda, menor pressão arterial diastólica e menor prevalência de história familiar de doença cardiovascular e obesidade. O risco relativo para doença cardiovascular dos pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica foi mais elevado em relação à população controle de Framingham porém não diferiu da observada no grupo de hipertensos. CONCLUSÃO: Em candidatos a transplante renal é significativa a prevalência de doença cardiovascular e de fatores de risco tradicionais; as equações de Framingham não quantificam adequadamente o risco cardiovascular real e outros fatores de risco específicos desta população devem contribuir para o maior risco cardiovascular.<br>OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and traditional risk factors in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing evaluation for inclusion on the renal transplantation list. METHODS: One hundred ninety-five patients with dialytic chronic renal failure underwent clinical evaluation and complementary tests and were compared with a group of 334 hypertensive patients paired for age. The Framingham equations were used for calculating the absolute risk (AR). The relative risk (RR) was calculated based on the absolute risk of the low-risk Framingham cohort. RESULTS: Thirty-seven percent of the patients had some sort of cardiovascular disease on the initial evaluation, peripheral vascular disease (23%) being the most prevalent. Patients with cardiovascular disease were excluded. Regarding traditional risk factors, a significant difference was observed in systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol (greater in the hypertensive group), and in the prevalence of men, diabetes, and smoking, which were greater in the chronic renal failure group. The latter had a greater degree of left ventricular hypertrophy, lower diastolic blood pressure, and a lower prevalence of familial history of cardiovascular disease and obesity. The relative risk for cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic renal failure was greater compared with that in the Framingham control population, but it did not differ from that observed in the group of hypertensive individuals. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of cardiovascular disease and traditional risk factors is high among candidates for renal transplantation; the Framingham equations do not adequately quantify the real cardiovascular risk, and other risk factors specific for that population should contribute for their greater cardiovascular risk