Late presentation of adenovirus-induced hemorrhagic cystitis and ureteral obstruction in a kidney-pancreas transplant recipient.

We report a late presentation of adenovirus-induced renal allograft and bladder infection causing azotemia and hemorrhagic cystitis in a patient 5 years after simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplantation. Adenovirus has been increasingly recognized as a cause of morbidity and mortality in both solid organ and stem cell transplant recipients. We wish to emphasize the importance of early detection, as treatment options involve reduction of immunosuppression, followed by the addition of antiviral agents and supportive care.

West Nile virus infection in kidney and pancreas transplant recipients in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex during the 2012 Texas epidemic.

Background: In 2012, the United States experienced one of its worst West Nile virus (WNV) epidemics, reporting 5,387 human cases and final death toll of 243. Texas was at the epicenter of the outbreak, with 1,875 reported cases and 89 deaths that year. The Texas outbreak centered mainly in the Dallas-Fort Worth area where 30 deaths were reported.

Definition of chronic kidney disease after uninephrectomy in living donors: what are the implications?

Background: Living kidney transplant donors generally have a favorable renal functional outcome postuninephrectomy, but concern remains that a reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) postuninephrectomy might have harmful effects. This study examines the short-term (3 months) effect of donor nephrectomy on GFR and the occurrence of stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD) postuninephrectomy.

Methods: The prevalence of stage 3 CKD (Kidney Disease Quality Outcome Initiative [GFR<60 mL/min/1.

Disseminated adenovirus infection in renal transplant recipients: the role of cidofovir and intravenous immunoglobulin.

Disseminated adenovirus (ADV) infection in solid organ transplant patients is associated with high mortality. Limited studies have shown benefit from using cidofovir (CDV), as well as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). In this study, we report 2 renal transplant patients who presented with fever and pulmonary infiltrates.

Acute kidney injury following liver transplantation: definition and outcome.

The incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) has been reported to vary between 17% and 95% post-orthotopic liver transplantation. This variability may be related to the absence of a uniform definition of AKI in this setting. The purpose of this study was to identify the degree of AKI that is associated with long-term adverse outcome.

Primum non Nocere: is chronic kidney disease staging appropriate in living kidney transplant donors?

The aphorism of Primum non Nocere ('first do no harm') was introduced to guide physicians in making difficult and potentially hazardous decisions. The application of estimating equations for glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and classification schema for chronic kidney disease (CKD) has inadvertently led to 'labeling' of many living donors as having CKD postdonation. This review examines this issue and its possible consequences.

West Nile virus encephalitis in a renal transplant recipient: the role of intravenous immunoglobulin.

West Nile virus is a common viral infection in endemic areas. Although the disease has a benign course in immunocompetent individuals, it tends to run a more malignant course in immunocompromised patients such as solid-organ transplant recipients. In this study, a renal transplant recipient presented with fever, impaired speech, obtundation, and features suggestive of meningitis on cerebrospinal fluid examination.

Misoprostol effects on diclofenac-induced cardiorenal changes in salt-sensitive patients with hypertension: the MEDIC Study.

Study Objective: To determine whether coadministration of misoprostol with the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug diclofenac lessens the increase in blood pressure and improves the alterations in renal hemodynamics induced by diclofenac.

Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.

Setting: Two university research centers.

Iatrogenic emphysematous pyelonephritis in a renal transplant patient.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a rare condition that typically occurs in patients with diabetes mellitus, urinary tract obstruction, or immunosuppression such as solid organ transplant recipients. It has high mortality and frequently requires nephrectomy to achieve cure, although percutaneous drainage has been reported to be successful in some patients. We report a renal transplant recipient with underlying diabetes mellitus who developed iatrogenic EPN.

Hypertension and kidney disease: a deadly connection.

Kidney disease may be the cause or a consequence of hypertension. Hypertension affects 25% of the adult population in the United States. Similarly, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have been steadily increasing in incidence because of the increasing age of the US population and rise in the incidence of risk factors, including hypertension.

Hepatorenal syndrome: a proposal for kidney after liver transplantation (KALT).

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a well-recognized complication of end-stage liver disease. Once thought to be a reversible condition with liver transplantation (LT) alone, HRS may directly contribute to the requirement for long-term dialysis posttransplant. As a result, discussion has now focused on whether or when a kidney allograft should be considered for these patients.

Hypertension and kidney disease: a deadly connection.

Kidney disease may be the cause or a consequence of hypertension. Hypertension affects 25% of the adult population in the United States. Similarly, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have been steadily increasing in incidence because of the increasing age of the US population and rise in the incidence of risk factors, including hypertension.

Liver and kidney transplantation for polycystic liver and kidney-renal function and outcome.

Background: Polycystic liver disease (PLD) is a rare disorder frequently associated with polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Transplantation is a treatment option for these patients. Because of preservation of hepatic function in these patients, liver transplantation is not routinely utilized.

Microalbuminuria, insulin resistance, diabetes, hypertension, and kidney function: the latest concepts in pathology and pharmacologic treatment.

Microalbuminuria-increased urinary albumin excretion undetectable by traditional urinary dipstick-has been associated with insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and hypertension. It is also a powerful predictor for heart disease and all-cause mortality. In diabetic patients, microalbuminuria has been correlated with the progression of diabetic nephropathy and the development of renal insufficiency.

Carbamylated low-density lipoprotein induces death of endothelial cells: a link to atherosclerosis in patients with kidney disease.

Background: The presence of accelerated atherosclerosis in patients with kidney disease cannot be entirely explained by traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Exposure to urea, which is normally present in human blood plasma and elevated in patients with kidney disease, leads to the carbamylation of proteins. We postulated that low-density lipoprotein (LDL) carbamylated by urea has biologic effects relevant to atherosclerosis.

Podocyte injury associated glomerulopathies induced by pamidronate.

Background: Pamidronate has been demonstrated to decrease bone-related complications in multiple myeloma and delay progression of the disease. This has led to its use in supportive and maintenance therapy of myeloma in conjunction with steroids and chemotherapy. It has also been selectively used in patients with breast cancer and other neoplasms.

Systolic blood pressure is the main etiology for poorly controlled hypertension.

Background: Isolated systolic hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular events. The purpose of this study was to detect the prevalence of and to evaluate the effectiveness of currently available medications in the treatment of uncontrolled isolated systolic hypertension.

Methods: We randomly selected a total of 585 patients with hypertension from our database.

The Calcimimetic agent AMG 073 lowers plasma parathyroid hormone levels in hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Treatment with vitamin D sterols can lower plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH) in many patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism due to end-stage renal disease, but hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, or both often develop during treatment. As such, alternative therapeutic approaches to managing excess PTH secretion are needed. Calcimimetic agents directly inhibit PTH secretion by activating the calcium-sensing receptor in the parathyroid glands, but clinical experience with them is limited.

Polyoma viral infection in renal transplantation: the role of immunosuppressive therapy.

Background: Polyoma virus infection in renal transplant recipients has been observed with increasing frequency in recent years. Renal allograft involvement in this condition may occur as a result of primary infection or secondary to reactivation of the latent virus. Interstitial nephritis, ureteric stenosis, rise in serum creatinine and allograft function loss have been attributed to this viral infection.

Results of autologous stem cell transplant in multiple myeloma patients with renal failure.

Data are presented on 81 multiple myeloma (MM) patients with renal failure (creatinine > 176.8 micromol/l) at the time of autologous stem cell transplantation (auto-SCT), including 38 patients on dialysis. The median age was 53 years (range: 29-69) and 26% had received more than 12 months of prior chemotherapy.

Acute rejection presenting as nephrotic syndrome.

Background: Early diagnosis and treatment of acute rejection is important to prevent continued renal injury. Acute rejection most commonly presents with asymptomatic rise in serum creatinine. Proteinuria associated with acute rejection is well established; however, there is limited documentation of the presentation of acute rejection as nephrotic syndrome in the literature.

Renal allograft dysfunction associated with cytomegalovirus infection.

Renal transplant recipients are at an increased risk for cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, which occurs as a primary infection or as a result of reactivation of a latent virus. The main risk factors for symptomatic CMV disease include a CMV-negative recipient of a kidney from a CMV-positive donor (primary infection) and treatment of rejection with monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies. In this study, we report a renal transplant recipient with multiple risk factors for the development of CMV infection.

Oxidant mechanisms in gentamicin nephrotoxicity.

Acute renal failure is a major complication of aminoglycoside antibiotics, which are widely used in the treatment of gram-negative infections. Sequential reduction of oxygen along the univalent pathway leads to the generation of superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical, and water. A large body of in vitro and in vivo evidence indicates that these partially reduced oxygen metabolites are important mediators of gentamicin nephrotoxicity.

Acute renal failure following bone marrow transplantation.

Acute renal failure (ARF) is one of the most frequent and potentially life threatening complications following bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Several renal syndromes that occur are either unique or occur with a disproportionate frequency post-BMT. Clinically ARF can be classified according to the time of onset post-BMT.