Analysis of COVID-19 Infection in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background: COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, was responsible for higher morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients (RTx). The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 infection on RTx in a single center in Brazil.

Methods: A cohort of 135 RTx was evaluated between December 2019 and June 202l, and demographics, clinical, and laboratory profiles were analyzed from deceased donors with COVID-19.

Different Patterns of Foxp3 Gene Expression in Pre-and Post-Transplantation Kidney Biopsies and the Effect of Use Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibitors.

Background: Trafficking of regulatory T cells (Tregs) modulates the inflammatory response after kidney transplantation (KTx). There is scarce information on whether circulating and intragraft Tregs are similarly affected by immunosuppressive drugs and the type of deceased kidney donor.

Methods: FOXP3 gene expression was measured in the pretransplant kidney biopsies (PIBx) from donors who met extended (ECD) and standard (SCD) criteria donors.

The Mycophenolate-based Immunosuppressive Regimen Is Associated With Increased Mortality in Kidney Transplant Patients With COVID-19.

Background: The chronic use of immunosuppressive drugs is a key risk factor of death because of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs), although no evident association between the class of immunosuppressive and outcomes has been observed. Thus, we aimed to compare COVID-19-associated outcomes among KTRs receiving 3 different immunosuppressive maintenance regimes.

Methods: This study included data from 1833 KTRs with COVID-19 diagnosed between March 20 and April 21 extracted from the national registry before immunization.

Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Kidney Transplant and on Chronic Dialysis Patients.

Background: The reported fatality rates of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in patients receiving maintenance dialysis or kidney transplant are higher than in the general population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in chronic dialysis patients (DPs) compared with kidney transplant recipients (KTxRs).

Methods: A study evaluating 266 COVID-19-positive patients (112 DPs and 154 KTxRs) was conducted in a single center from March 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021.

Distinct global DNA methylation and NF-κB expression profile of preimplantation biopsies from ideal and non-ideal kidneys.

Background: Epigenetic mechanisms may affect the ideal and non-ideal kidneys selected for transplantation and their inflammatory gene expression profile differently and may contribute to poor clinical outcomes.

Objective: Study the Global DNA methylation and the expression profiles of the DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in preimplantation kidney biopsies from ideal and non-ideal kidneys (expanded criteria donor (ECD) and with KDPI > 85%).

Methods: In a sample consisting of 45 consecutive pre-implantation biopsies, global DNA methylation levels were detected by LINE-1 repeated elements using bisulfite pyrosequencing.

Temporal Reduction in COVID-19-Associated Fatality Among Kidney Transplant Recipients: The Brazilian COVID-19 Registry Cohort Study.

Data from the general population suggest that fatality rates declined during the course of the pandemic. This analysis, using data extracted from the Brazilian Kidney Transplant COVID-19 Registry, seeks to determine fatality rates over time since the index case on March 3rd, 2020. Data from hospitalized patients with RT-PCR positive SARS-CoV-2 infection from March to August 2020 (35 sites, 878 patients) were compared using trend tests according to quartiles (Q1: <72 days; Q2: 72-104 days; Q3: 105-140 days; Q4: >140 days after the index case).

Thrombotic microangiopathy after kidney transplantation: Analysis of the Brazilian Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome cohort.

Background: Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS) is an ultra-rare disease that potentially leads to kidney graft failure due to ongoing Thrombotic Microangiopathy (TMA). The aim was evaluating the frequency of TMA after kidney transplantation in patients with aHUS in a Brazilian cohort stratified by the use of the specific complement-inhibitor eculizumab.

Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study including kidney transplant patients diagnosed with aHUS.

Therapeutic potential of human induced pluripotent stem cells and renal progenitor cells in experimental chronic kidney disease.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health problem. Cell therapy using pluripotent stem cells represents an attractive therapeutic approach for the treatment of CKD.

Methods: We transplanted mitomycin C (MMC)-treated human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and renal progenitor cells (RPCs) into a CKD rat model system.

Impact of Cold Ischemia Time on Kidney Transplant: A Mate Kidney Analysis.

Introduction: Longer cold ischemia time (CIT) is a deleterious factor for kidney transplant (KTx) outcomes and may lead Tx teams to graft discard. Because the CIT in Brazil is overall very high, the objective of this study was to compare outcomes among mate recipients of KTx with distinct CIT.

Methods: We studied 106 mate recipients of KTx in a single center followed for 1-year post-Tx.

Clinical and laboratorial profiles of dengue virus infection in kidney transplant recipients: Report of a single center.

Dengue infection (DI) is the most important arboviral infection in the world. The majority of immunocompetent patients will have asymptomatic or mild infections, but the degree of dengue severity in kidney transplant recipients (KTx) is unknown. In this study, we report the clinical profile and outcomes of 39 dengue cases in KTx.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Reduce Progression of Experimental Chronic Kidney Disease but Develop Wilms' Tumors.

The therapeutic effect of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSs) on the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has not yet been demonstrated. In this study, we sought to assess whether treatment with iPSs retards progression of CKD when compared with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Untreated 5/6 nephrectomized rats were compared with CKD animals receiving BMSCs or iPSs.

Randomized Trial of Machine Perfusion Versus Cold Storage in Recipients of Deceased Donor Kidney Transplants With High Incidence of Delayed Graft Function.

Background: This study compared the use of static cold storage versus continuous hypothermic machine perfusion in a cohort of kidney transplant recipients at high risk for delayed graft function (DGF).

Methods: In this national, multicenter, and controlled trial, 80 pairs of kidneys recovered from brain-dead deceased donors were randomized to cold storage or machine perfusion, transplanted, and followed up for 12 months. The primary endpoint was the incidence of DGF.

Validation of an Experimental Model to Study Less Severe Chronic Renal Failure.

Purpose: The 5/6 nephrectomy, mimics the stages of human chronic renal failure (CRF), but the procedure causes severe renal functional and morphological damage that could interfere with the evaluation of therapies for slowing the progression of the disease. This study summarizes the results of renal function, histology, and immunohistochemical findings in rats undergoing a 2/3 nephrectomy.

Methods: The rats were distributed in groups according to the type of nephrectomy: CRF5/6: induced by a 5/6 renal mass reduction and CRF2/3: less severe CRF.