Background: Kidney transplant recipients with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 infection have an increased risk of severe disease and mortality. Nirmaltrevir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) is an effective oral disease-modifying therapy that has been shown to reduce risk of progression to severe disease in high-risk, nonhospitalized adults. However, owing to the potential for serious drug-drug interactions owing to ritonavir-induced inhibition of the CYP3A enzyme, this drug is not suitable option for transplant recipients with mild-moderate severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe KidGen Collaborative's Policy Implementation Workshop 2023 celebrated the 10th anniversary of Australia's first kidney genetics clinic in Brisbane. This event marked the establishment of a national network now comprising 19 kidney genetics clinics across Australia, all dedicated to providing equitable access to genomic testing for families affected by genetic kidney diseases. The workshop reflected on past progress and outlined future objectives for kidney genetics in Australia, recognising the collaborative efforts of clinical teams, researchers, and patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClinical genetics is increasingly recognized as an important area within nephrology care. Clinicians require awareness of genetic kidney disease to recognize clinical phenotypes, consider use of genomics to aid diagnosis, and inform treatment decisions. Understanding the broad spectrum of clinical phenotypes and principles of genomic sequencing is becoming increasingly required in clinical nephrology, with nephrologists requiring education and support to achieve meaningful patient outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFKidney function is strongly influenced by genetic factors with both monogenic and polygenic factors contributing to kidney function. Monogenic disorders with primarily autosomal dominant inheritance patterns account for 10% of adult and 50% of paediatric kidney diseases. However, kidney function is also a complex trait with polygenic architecture, where genetic factors interact with environment and lifestyle factors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Twin studies are unique population models which estimate observed rather than inferred genetic components of complex traits. Nonmonogenic chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a complex disease process with strong genetic and environmental influences, amenable to twin studies. We aimed to assess the heritability of CKD using twin analysis and modeling within Older Australian Twin Study (OATS) data.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Membranous Nephropathy (MN) is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome (NS) in adults. Recognition of MN as an antibody mediated autoimmune disease has enabled the introduction of anti-B-cell therapy. Rituximab, a type I anti-CD20 antibody has been used in the management of MN, but has a 35-45% failure rate.
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