Intravenous immunoglobulin G in the treatment of patients with chronic glomerulonephritis: clinical experience lasting 15 years.

In our study, we collected data on 116 patients with biopsy-proven idiopathic or lupus glomerulonephritis who were treated with high doses of intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) (Veinoglobuline or Immunovenin-intact). In all patients a severe nephrotic syndrome (edema, proteinuria >6 g/24 h, serum albumin <22 g/24 h) had been observed. 34 patients had renal failure (serum creatinine up to 504 micromol/l) and 96 hypertension.

Role of fibronectin in immune glomerulonephritis.

There is already a considerable amount of evidence suggesting that fibronectin (Fn) plays an important role in the pathogenic process in some forms of glomerulonephritis (GN). It has been postulated that Fn may participate in the progression or regression of glomerular diseases. The Fn is presented in the kidney as a normal component of the mesangium, and it is increased in the expanded mesangium in various forms of GN.

[Gemfibrozil in the treatment of hyperlipoproteinemias].

30 patients with primary hyperlipoproteinemia (type II and IV according to Fredrickson) were treated with Gemfibrosil (Gevinon--film tablets of 450 mg of "Parke-Davis Company") for a period of 45 days with a daily dose of two tablets taken with the evening meal. The results of the treatment were a decrease of the total cholesterol (with 16.34%), of triglycerides (with 34.

[Mesangial C3-glomerulonephritis].

12 patients with mesangial C3-glomerulonephritis, 7 women and 5 men, aged 16-42, mean age 29.7 years, were followed up for 1-18 years, mean time 5.7 years.

[Drug disease related to the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents].

A case is presented of a woman with drug disease related to the use of non-steroid antiinflammatory drugs. The disease was manifested by combined impairment of several organs and systems: arthralgia, febrility, anorexia, fibroscopic data for superficial gastritis, iron deficiency anemia, angiospastic syndrome, impairement of the liver and the kidneys. The renal lesions differed from the usual for such cases tubulointerstitial changes and a mild mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis without manifested clinical symptoms was found.

[A clinico-therapeutic study of the Bulgarian preparation fupiram].

The study includes 30 patients: 21 patients with various cardiac diseases which had led to chronic cardiac failure with well expressed edemas, 7 patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites, 2 patients with chronic glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome. For 7 consecutive days the patients received fupyram or furanthril. In the morning, before breakfast, they received either 1 capsule fupyram (which is composed of amyloride hydrochloride 0.

[Treatment of chronic glomerulonephritis with high doses of intravenous immunoglobulin].

The initial results of the treatment of 8 patients with idiopathic and lupus glomerulonephritis with immunovenin intact are reported. Previously the patients had been treated for a long time with combinations of corticosteroids, immunosuppressors and anticoagulants without effect. All patients had an well expressed nephrotic syndrome, 6 patients had initial chronic renal failure.

[The late results of treating membranous glomerulonephritis].

27 patients with membranous glomerulonephritis treated with corticosteroids, anticoagulants and some with immunosuppressors are discussed. Men prevailed. Nephrotic syndrome proved by renal biopsy was found in 88.

[Hypokalemic nephropathy from the chronic use of diuretics and laxatives].

The cases of two women with morphologically proved hypokalemic nephropathy related to chronic use of diuretics and purgatives are reported. The disease has been detected because of reduced urine quantity, increase of body mass and edema. The serum protein level is low.

[The survival of patients with mesangial immunoglobulin A glomerulonephritis].

68 patients with immunoglobulin A glomerulonephritis (IgA-GN) were studied. 67.4% of them were men.

[Gordon's syndrome--a combination of hyperkalemia and arterial hypertension with preserved kidney function].

A case of Gordon's syndrome in a 38 years old man is presented--hyperpotassemia and arterial hypertension with preserved renal function, normal supra-adrenal function, no data for hemolysis, normal coagulation state, mild compensated metabolic acidosis. Renal tubular defect, for excretion of potassium and chlorides, sodium reabsorption, tubular resistance to mineralocorticoids are discussed. The combination of hyperpotassemia and arterial hypertension might be due to phenotype manifestations of a single gene.

[A case of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis].

A case of a 38 years old man with xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is presented. The ultrasound examination of the abdomen found a tumorous formation above the left kidney. Arterial hypertension and changes in the lipid metabolism were found clinically.

[Guanfacine in the treatment of arterial hypertension in diabetics].

30 patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II were treated with guanfacine (Estulic--"Sandoz" Switzerland) 1 mg tablets in the course of 6 months. The trial began with a placebo period at the end of which the patients were classified into groups: I groups--mild hypertension--14 patients, II group--moderate hypertension--8 patients and III group--severe hypertension - 8 patients. The treatment began in all patients with 0.

[The effect of treatment on the survival rate in chronic glomerulonephritis].

The survival rate of 68 patients with immunoglobulin A glomerulonephritis (IgA GN), 29 patients with membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN), 13 patients with membranous-proliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) and 40 patients with lupus glomerulonephritis (LGN) was assessed using the life registration tables. The patients with IgA GN were treated symptomatically, and the remaining patients were treated with a combination of corticosteroids, immunosuppressors and anticoagulants. At the 10th year from the onset of the disease the survival rate was as follows: for the patients with IgA GN--88%, with MGN--94.

[Benign monoclonal gammopathy in a female patient with Schönlein-Henoch glomerulonephritis and liver cirrhosis].

A case of a woman with Schönlein-Henoch glomerulonephritis and liver cirrhosis and a monoclonal peak in the proteinogram is reported. An attempt is made to differentiate the benign monoclonal gammapathy from Waldenström's disease according to the existing criteria. The conclusion is reached that at present there is no index or a combination of indices which could allow a definite assessment.

[Chronopharmacokinetics of the preparation biomet400 in patients with duodenal ulcer].

Biomet400 is a selective H2-blocker produced by the firm "Pharmacia" of the Bulgarian Medical Academy. 11 patients were treated with the drug in a dose of 400 mg taken orally in the morning or in the evening. The pharmacokinetic analysis revealed a slower resorption of cimetidine in the patients who had taken the drug in the evening (Tmax = 2 h, resp.

[Captopril from Pharmachem in the treatment of arterial hypertension].

30 hypertensive patients were treated in outpatients conditions for a 6 month period with captopril "Pharmachem". The patients were classified in accordance with the degree of the arterial hypertension into three groups: light hypertension--II patients, moderate hypertension 13 patients and severe hypertension--6 patients. Captopril was applied the first two weeks in a dose of 25 mg 3 times daily.

[Hypokalemic periodic paralysis in thyrotoxicosis].

For the first time in Bulgaria a case of hypokalemic periodic paralysis in thyrotoxicosis is described. Three periods of paralysis were observed and documented in a hospital. The thyrotoxicosis was well manifested with disturbed carbohydrate tolerance and responded favourably to methizole treatment.

[Ciprofloxacin in bacterial infections].

42 patients with bacterial infections caused by resistant to other available in this country antibiotics, immunocompromised patients and patients in severe life-threatening conditions were treated with ciprofloxacin (Ciprobay--Bayer) in tablets. Before being admitted to the clinic most of the patients had been treated with various antibacterial drugs, including Tarivid--Hoechst (4 patients), in sufficient doses and duration. The drug was applied in doses of 250 mg or 500 mg twice daily according to the type, site, severity of the infection and the renal function state.