Dual Kidney Transplantation: Case Report

Chronic shortage of kidney transplants worldwide has led to the use of organs from so called marginal or borderline donors, now termed »expanded-criteria donors«. There has been an emerging practice of dual kidney transplantation (DKT) to compensate for sub optimal nephron mass of such kidneys. We performed DKT in »Merkur« University Hospital in August 2005. The donor was a 72-year old female with a history of long-term hypertension, aneurysm of the posterior cerebral artery, cerebrovascular insult (CVI), and with normal creatinine values and kidney function at the time of explantation. Initial biopsy of donor kidneys revealed acute tubular damage, with connective changes in 22% and 11% of glomeruli in the left and the right kidney, respectively.The recipient was a 60-year old male diagnosed with the IgA nephropathy on the last biopsy in 1999, and on dialysis since November 2003. Postoperative course was uneventful without any surgical complications. A triple immunosuppressive protocol was used. On follow-up ultrasonography 4 years posttransplantation both kidneys appeared of normal size and parenchymal pattern and with no signs of dilatation of the canal system, and color Doppler examination demonstrated normal flow in both kidneys. In conclusion, the use of DKT, ie. donors by the expanded-criteria will continue to increase, and further studies of the results will, with no doubt, support this method

INFECTION IN DIALYSIS AND AFTER KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION

Nadomještanjem bubrežne funkcije u Hrvatskoj se liječi gotovo 4500 bolesnika. Česte infekcije u populaciji liječenoj dijalizom i transplantacijom bubrega jedan su od najčešći uzrok moribiditeta i mortaliteta tih bolesnika. U bolesnika liječenih dijalizom infekcije su uobičajeno vezane uz dijalizni pristup (najčešće dijalizni centralni venski, ili peritonejski kateter). U bolesnika s transplantiranim bubregom infekcije se najčešće javljaju u ranom poslijeoperativnom razdoblju. Prevencija, rano prepoznavanje i adekvatno liječenje infekcija u toj populaciji ključni su za bolje preživljenje ovih bolesnika s kojima se sve češće susreću i liječnici drugih specijalnosti.Almost 4500 patients are being treated with renal replacement therapies in Croatia. Infections are frequent in the population treated with dialysis and kidney transplantation, being one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in these patients. In dialysis patients, infections are usually related to dialysis access (usually central venous dialysis catheter or peritoneal catheter). In kidney transplant recipients, infections are most common in the early postoperative period. Prevention, early recognition, as well as appropriate treatment of infection are all crucial for better survival of these patients, with ever more other medical specialties being involved in their management

Association of chronic kidney disease with periprocedural myocardial injury after elective stent implantation: a single center prospective cohort study

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Patients with CKD who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may have more ischemic events than patients without CKD. The aim of our study was to determine the incidence of periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI) after elective stent implantation in patients with CKD using the Third Joint ESC/ACCF/AHA/WHF PMI definition.In a single center prospective cohort study, we enrolled 344 consecutive patients who underwent elective PCI in a period of 39 months. Serum troponin I (cTnI) concentrations were measured at baseline and at 8 and 16 hours after PCI. Periprocedural increase of cTnI, according to the most recent PMI definition, was used to define both the presence and intensity of PMI. Patients were further stratified according to the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using 4 variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation: control group with eGFR >90 mL/min/1.73 m and the CKD group with eGFR 90 mL/min/1.73 m) and the CKD group (<90 mL/min/1.73 m) both 8 and 16 hours after PCI. When the CKD patients were further subdivided according to their CKD stage, there was again no difference in the intensity or incidence of PMI compared to the control group. Further analyses of our data showed angina pectoris CCS IV, bare metal stent (BMS) implantation, and treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) as independent predictors of PMI. Furthermore, the presence of hypertension was inversely related to the occurrence of PMI.Applying the new guidelines for PMI and using the eGFR equation most suitable for our patients, we found no association between PMI and CKD. Further analyses showed other factors that could potentially influence the occurrence of PMI

The Value of Urinary Decoy Cells Finding in Patients with Kidney Transplantation

Childhood infection with polyomaviruses leads to a life-long latent infection of renal and urinary tract epithelia. Replication in the reno-urinary epithelium is associated with viral cytopathic changes such as nuclear inclusions and decoy cells. During the 2005-2009 period, cytological urine analysis was performed in 154 samples (94 male and 60 female) from patients with kidney transplantation (n=19), simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKT) (n=9) and simultaneous kidney and liver transplantation (n=2). Urine samples were analyzed monthly following transplantation according to the protocol. The period from transplantation to the first occurrence of decoy cells in the urine and the period of decoy cell persistence in the urine were assessed. The presence of decoy cells (10 decoy cells) and red blood cells (100 E) per cytospin smear was semiquantitatively determined, along with analysis of inflammatory cells (neutrophilic granulocytes) and fungi. In patients with decoy cells detected, their sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive value for BK virus nephropathy were calculated. Correlation of the study parameters was estimated by use of Kruskal-Wallis test (Statistica 7.1, StatSoft Inc., Tulsa, USA). Decoy cells were found in 30 patients (20 male and 10 female), age median 40 (range 16-69) years, at a mean of day 115 (range day 5–747) post transplantation, whereas their presence was recorded for a mean of 141 (range 77–771) days. Immunohistochemical staining of kidney biopsy sample for polyomavirus (SV40 large T-antigen) yielded positive reaction in 2/30 (7%) patients. Erythrocyturia was present in 29/30 patients with decoy cells. The number of decoy cells per cytospin smear generally ranged less than 10 in 25/30 patients, whereas more than 10 decoy cells per cytospin smear were only recorded in 5/30 patients. Immunohistochemistry produced positive finding for BK virus in one patient with SPKT and simultaneous kidney and liver transplantation each, which was statistically significantly more common as compared with patients with kidney transplantation alone (p=0.0244). Immunohistochemical positivity for BK virus was more significant in cases with more than 10 decoy cells detected in cytospin smear (p=0.013). In BK nephropathy, the finding of urinary decoy cells showed a 100% sensitivity, 84% specificity, 100% negative predictive value and 6% positive predictive value. BK virus nephropathy remains a significant post transplantation complication

CALCIFIC UREMIC ARTERIOLOPATHY: CLINICAL FEATURES AND TREATMEN

Kalcificirajuća uremijska arteriolopatija ili kalcifilaksija zloćudni je oblik kalcificiranja malih arterija i arteriola najčešće u bolesnika s nadomjesnim liječenjem kronične bubrežne bolesti. Uzrokuje visoku smrtnost. Histološka karakterističnost bolesti ogleda se u zahvaćenosti intimalnog sloja arterije gdje su prisutne proliferacija, linearna kalcificiranost unutarnje elastične membrane uz kalcificiranost medijalnoga mišićnog sloja arterije te često u upali i nekrozi potkožnoga masnog tkiva. Bolest započinje bolnim egzantemom, crvenkastolividnim nepravilnim plakovima ili mrežoliko oblikovanim lividnoljubičastim pjegama. Može napredovati prema eshari ili ranama koje se inficiraju i često uzrokuju sepsu. Prva prikazana bolesnica s proksimalnim tipom kalcifilaksije umrla je pod slikom ponovljene sepse. Druga bolesnica s distalnim tipom kalcifilaksije uspješno je liječena. Prijelomni trenutak liječenja nastupio je primjenom kalcimimetika. Liječenje je višestruko. Nužno je normaliziranje metabolizma P i Ca. Izdvaja se učinkovitost kalcimimetika, natrijskog tiosulfata, O2, pažljiva primjena bifosfonata i kirurških postupaka u liječenju rana. Potrebno je obustaviti liječenje varfarinom i razumno je primijeniti vitamin K. Karbonilirani hemoglobin mogao bi potaknuti brže cijeljenje neinficiranih rana.Calcific uremic arteriolopathy or calciphylaxis is a malignant form of calcification of small arteries and arterioles, usually present in patients with chronic kidney disease and dialysis therapy. It causes high mortality. Histological distinctive feature are calcium deposits lining vascular intima. Calcification of medial muscle layer, inflammation and necrosis of subcutaneous adipose tissue are frequent. The disease begins with painful violaceous mottling, resembling livedo reticularis. The skin lesion progresses to ulcers and eschars, sometimes it becomes very vulnerable to secondary infection which can often develop into fatal sepsis. Our first patient with the proximal form of calciphylaxis died in repeated sepsis. The second patient with the distal form of calciphylaxis was treated successfully. The decisive moment was the use of calcimimetic. A multiinterventional strategy is likely to be more effective than any single therapy. It is necessary to regulate metabolism of calcium phosphate and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Effectiveness has been demonstrated using calcimimetics, sodium thiosulfate, oxygen therapy, careful application of biphosphonates and surgical procedures. Warfarin withdrawal is urgently recommended and subsequent vitamin K supplementation is appropriate. The control of infection is critically important and the use of carbonylated hemoglobin in the stage without infection could accelerate the wound healing

Kalcificirajuća uremijska arteriolopatija: klinička slika i liječenje [Calcific uremic arteriolopathy: clinical features and treatment]

Calcific uremic arteriolopathy or alciphylaxis is a malignant form of calcification of small arteries and arterioles, usually present in patients with chronic kidney disease and dialysis therapy. It causes high mortality. Histological distinctive feature are calcium deposits lining vascular intima. Calcification of medial muscle layer, inflammation and necrosis of subcutaneous adipose tissue are frequent. The disease begins with painful violaceous mottling, resembling livedo reticularis. Ths skin lesion progresses to ulcers and eschars, sometimes it becomes very vulnerable to secondary infection which can often develop into fatal sepsis. Our first patient with proximal form of calciphylaxis dies in repeated sepsis. The second patient with the distal form of calciphylaxis was treated successfully. The decisive moment was the use of calcimimetic. A multiinterventional strategy is likely to be more effective than any single therapy. It is necessary to regulate metabolism of calcium phosphate and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Effectiveness has been demonstrated using calcimimetics, sodium thiosulfate, oxygen therapy, careful application of biphosphonates and surgical procedures. Warfarin withdrawal is urgently recommended and subsequent vitamin K supplementation is appropriate. The control of infection is critically important and the use of carbonylated hemoglobin in the stage without infections could accelerate the wound healing

CALCIFIC UREMIC ARTERIOLOPATHY: CLINICAL FEATURES AND TREATMEN

Kalcificirajuća uremijska arteriolopatija ili kalcifilaksija zloćudni je oblik kalcificiranja malih arterija i arteriola najčešće u bolesnika s nadomjesnim liječenjem kronične bubrežne bolesti. Uzrokuje visoku smrtnost. Histološka karakterističnost bolesti ogleda se u zahvaćenosti intimalnog sloja arterije gdje su prisutne proliferacija, linearna kalcificiranost unutarnje elastične membrane uz kalcificiranost medijalnoga mišićnog sloja arterije te često u upali i nekrozi potkožnoga masnog tkiva. Bolest započinje bolnim egzantemom, crvenkastolividnim nepravilnim plakovima ili mrežoliko oblikovanim lividnoljubičastim pjegama. Može napredovati prema eshari ili ranama koje se inficiraju i često uzrokuju sepsu. Prva prikazana bolesnica s proksimalnim tipom kalcifilaksije umrla je pod slikom ponovljene sepse. Druga bolesnica s distalnim tipom kalcifilaksije uspješno je liječena. Prijelomni trenutak liječenja nastupio je primjenom kalcimimetika. Liječenje je višestruko. Nužno je normaliziranje metabolizma P i Ca. Izdvaja se učinkovitost kalcimimetika, natrijskog tiosulfata, O2, pažljiva primjena bifosfonata i kirurških postupaka u liječenju rana. Potrebno je obustaviti liječenje varfarinom i razumno je primijeniti vitamin K. Karbonilirani hemoglobin mogao bi potaknuti brže cijeljenje neinficiranih rana.Calcific uremic arteriolopathy or calciphylaxis is a malignant form of calcification of small arteries and arterioles, usually present in patients with chronic kidney disease and dialysis therapy. It causes high mortality. Histological distinctive feature are calcium deposits lining vascular intima. Calcification of medial muscle layer, inflammation and necrosis of subcutaneous adipose tissue are frequent. The disease begins with painful violaceous mottling, resembling livedo reticularis. The skin lesion progresses to ulcers and eschars, sometimes it becomes very vulnerable to secondary infection which can often develop into fatal sepsis. Our first patient with the proximal form of calciphylaxis died in repeated sepsis. The second patient with the distal form of calciphylaxis was treated successfully. The decisive moment was the use of calcimimetic. A multiinterventional strategy is likely to be more effective than any single therapy. It is necessary to regulate metabolism of calcium phosphate and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Effectiveness has been demonstrated using calcimimetics, sodium thiosulfate, oxygen therapy, careful application of biphosphonates and surgical procedures. Warfarin withdrawal is urgently recommended and subsequent vitamin K supplementation is appropriate. The control of infection is critically important and the use of carbonylated hemoglobin in the stage without infection could accelerate the wound healing

Urine Immunocytology as a Noninvasive Diagnostic Tool for Acute Kidney Rejection: a Single Center Experience

Renal biopsy is a gold standard for establishing diagnosis of acute rejection of the renal allograft. However, being invasive, renal biopsy has potential significant complications and contraindications. Therefore, possibility to noninvasively diagnose acute rejection would improve follow-up of kidney transplant patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate urine immunocytology for T cells as a method for noninvasive identification of patients with acute renal allograft rejection in comparison to renal biopsy. In this prospective study a cohort of 56 kidney, or kidney-pancreas transplant recipients was included. Patients either received their transplant at the University Hospital »Merkur«, or have been followed at the »Merkur« Hospital. Patients were subject to either protocol or indication kidney biopsy (a total of 70 biopsies), with simultaneous urine immunocytology (determination of CD3-positive cells in the urine sediment). Acute rejection was diagnosed in 24 biopsies. 23 episodes were T-cell mediated (6 grade IA, 5 grade IB, 1 grade IIA, 1 grade III and 10 borderline), while in 1 case acute humoral rejection was diagnosed. 46 biopsies did not demonstrate acute rejection. CD3-positive cells were found in 21% of cases with acute rejection and in 13% of cases without rejection (n.s.). A finding of CD3-positive cells in urine had a sensitivity of 21% and specificity of 87% for acute rejection (including borderline), with positive predictive value of 45% and negative predictive value of 68%. Although tubulitis is a hallmark of acute T cell-mediated rejection, detection of T cells in urine sediment was insufficiently sensitive and insufficiently specific for diagnosing acute rejection in our cohort of kidney transplant recipients

First Documented Case of BK Nephropathy in Kidney Transplant Recipient in Croatia: Usage of Urine Cytology in Evaluation Process

BK virus associated nephropathy (BKVAN) in transplanted kidney, although recognized as a distinct entity in the 1970-es, continues to represent a challenge in kidney transplantation, mainly because the optimal treatment approach has not been determined yet. The fact that about 10–20% of patients have simultaneously some stage of acute rejection, complicate the treatment even more. Herein we present a case of BK nephropathy in the patient, one year after combined liver and kidney transplantation, complicated by episode of acute T-cell mediated rejection. Identification of decoy cells by cytology urine exam in patient with acute kidney graft function deterioration, raised suspicion of BKVAN. Diagnosis has been made by histological examination and confirmed with immunohistochemical staining for BK virus in kidney graft biopsy. One month after he had been treated for BKVAN with intravenous immunoglobulin, leflunomide and overall immunosuppression therapy reduction, there was further deterioration of graft function due to an episode of acute T-cell mediated rejection (Banff classification IA). He received 500 mg of metilprednisolon intravenously and mycophenolate mofetil had been reintroduced, which resulted in slow partial recovery of the graft function, but never to the baseline values. For the past two years his renal graft function has been stable, maintaining lower levels of immunosupressive therapy. According to our knowledge this is the first documented case of BK virus associated nephropathy, diagnosed and confirmed with immunohistochemical staining of tissue from kidney biopsy in Croatia

First Documented Case of BK Nephropathy in Kidney Transplant Recipient in Croatia: Usage of Urine Cytology in Evaluation Process

BK virus associated nephropathy (BKVAN) in transplanted kidney, although recognized as a distinct entity in the 1970-es, continues to represent a challenge in kidney transplantation, mainly because the optimal treatment approach has not been determined yet. The fact that about 10–20% of patients have simultaneously some stage of acute rejection, complicate the treatment even more. Herein we present a case of BK nephropathy in the patient, one year after combined liver and kidney transplantation, complicated by episode of acute T-cell mediated rejection. Identification of decoy cells by cytology urine exam in patient with acute kidney graft function deterioration, raised suspicion of BKVAN. Diagnosis has been made by histological examination and confirmed with immunohistochemical staining for BK virus in kidney graft biopsy. One month after he had been treated for BKVAN with intravenous immunoglobulin, leflunomide and overall immunosuppression therapy reduction, there was further deterioration of graft function due to an episode of acute T-cell mediated rejection (Banff classification IA). He received 500 mg of metilprednisolon intravenously and mycophenolate mofetil had been reintroduced, which resulted in slow partial recovery of the graft function, but never to the baseline values. For the past two years his renal graft function has been stable, maintaining lower levels of immunosupressive therapy. According to our knowledge this is the first documented case of BK virus associated nephropathy, diagnosed and confirmed with immunohistochemical staining of tissue from kidney biopsy in Croatia