Tocilizumab (anti-IL-6) treatment for AA renal amyloidosis in a patient with advanced chronic kidney disease, a case report.

Systemic amyloid A amyloidosis is a progressive condition in which sustained elevation of serum amyloid A protein concentration leads to widespread amyloid deposition resulting in multiorgan failure without treatment. The kidney is the most commonly affected organ, and renal amyloid A amyloidosis can cause nephrotic syndrome and chronic kidney disease (CKD) leading to end stage kidney disease (ESKD). Serum Amyloid A protein is produced in the liver in response to chronic inflammation, specifically by inflammatory cytokines, especially IL-6.

Lack of seroresponse to SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccines given early post-transplant in patients primed pre-transplantation.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are recommended pre-transplantation, however, waning immunity and evolving variants mandate booster doses. Currently there no data to inform the optimal timing of booster doses post-transplant, in patients primed pre-transplant. We investigated serial serological samples in 204 transplant recipients who received 2 or 3 SARS-CoV-2 vaccines pre-transplant.

Immune responses following 3rd and 4th doses of heterologous and homologous COVID-19 vaccines in kidney transplant recipients.

Background: Solid organ transplant recipients have attenuated immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. In this study, we report on immune responses to 3rd- (V3) and 4th- (V4) doses of heterologous and homologous vaccines in a kidney transplant population.

Methods: We undertook a single centre cohort study of 724 kidney transplant recipients prospectively screened for serological responses following 3 primary doses of a SARS-CoV2 vaccine.

Long term central venous catheters for haemodialysis causing an extra-cardiac right-to-left shunt.

Central venous catheters can provide long-term access for haemodialysis patients who cannot have an arteriovenous fistula or graft fashioned. However, long-term central venous catheter use for haemodialysis may lead to complications including central venous stenosis, and superior vena cava obstruction in its worst form. Here, we describe the case of a patient on haemodialysis via central venous catheters for over 20 years, in whom chronic superior vena cava obstruction led to the development of mediastinal collateral vessels.

Controlling rabies through a multidisciplinary, public health system in Trujillo, La Libertad, Peru.

Rabies remains endemic in Peru. In 1983, Latin America and the Caribbean promised to eliminate canine-transmitted rabies from the continent. This led to Peru introducing a multidisciplinary public health system for controlling and managing rabies across the country.