Baseline characteristics and evolution of Brazilian patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome: first report of the Brazilian aHUS Registry.

Background: Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is an ultra-rare disease. Therefore, studies involving large samples are scarce, making registries powerful tools to evaluate cases. We present herein the first analysis of the Brazilian aHUS Registry (BRaHUS).

The Kinetics of Anti-HLA Antibodies in the First Year after Kidney Transplantation: In Whom and When Should They Be Monitored?

The impact of the kinetics of the anti-HLA antibodies after KTx on the occurrence of acute rejection as well as the better time-point to monitor anti-HLA Abs after transplantation is not completely defined. This prospective study followed 150 patients over 12 months after transplantation. Serum IgG anti-HLA Abs were detected by single antigen beads after typing donors and recipients for loci A, B, C, DR, and DQ.

Use of Thymoglobulin® (antithymocyte immunoglobulin) in renal transplantation: practical guide.

The combination of immunosuppressive drugs is part of the treatment regimen of patients undergoing kidney transplantation (RT). Thymoglobulin®, a rabbit immunoglobulin directed against human thymocytes, is the most commonly agent used for induction therapy in RT in the US. In Brazil, Thymoglobulin® is approved by ANVISA for the use in patients who underwent kidney transplantation and despite being widely used, there are controversies regarding the drug administration.

Dynamics of anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies after renal transplantation and their impact on graft outcome.

The purpose of this study was to sequentially monitor anti-HLA antibodies and correlate the results with antibody-mediated rejection (AMR), graft survival (GS), and graft function (GF). We collected sera from 111 kidney transplant recipients on transplant days 0, 7, 14, 30, 60, 90, 180, and 360 and analyzed PRA levels by ELISA. DSAs were analyzed by single-antigen beads in rejecting kidneys.

The impact of pretransplant donor-specific antibodies on graft outcome in renal transplantation: a six-year follow-up study.

Objective: The significance of pretransplant, donor-specific antibodies on long-term patient outcomes is a subject of debate. This study evaluated the impact and the presence or absence of donor-specific antibodies after kidney transplantation on short- and long-term graft outcomes.

Methods: We analyzed the frequency and dynamics of pretransplant donor-specific antibodies following renal transplantation from a randomized trial that was conducted from 2002 to 2004 and correlated these findings with patient outcomes through 2009.

Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) after pancreas and pancreas-kidney transplantation.

Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) requires specific diagnostic tools and treatment and is associated with lower graft survival. We prospectively screened C4d in pancreas (n = 35, in 27 patients) and kidney (n = 33, in 21 patients) for cause biopsies. Serum amylase and lipase, amylasuria, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and 2-h capillary glucose (CG) were also analysed.

Alpha-hydroxy acids: unapproved uses or indications.

Alpha-hydroxy acids have been used for rejuvenation since ancient times, and now there are several on the market. Depending on the concentration, some have been shown to be effective as peeling agents and for rejuvenation. Glycolic acid and lactic acid are the alpha-hydroxy acids most frequently used in cosmetics, although there are many others used in combination.

Mycophenolic acid pharmacokinetics in stable pediatric renal transplantation.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is given to children in fixed doses based either on body weight or body surface area. There are data indicating mycophenolic acid (MPA) blood levels should be monitored in the early period of transplantation. However, there is little information regarding MPA pharmacokinetics (PK) in stable pediatric recipients.