The Effect of Preserved Residual Renal Function on Left Ventricular Structure in Non-Anuric Peritoneal Dialysis Patients.

Background/aims: Residual renal function (RRF) has been shown to influence survival of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. This study examined the relations between RRF and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) before switching on dialysis treatment and observed during 18 months on PD treatment.

Methods: A prospective longitudinal study was performed in 50 non-anuric (defined as >200 mL urine output in a 24-hour period) PD patients.

Effect of mycophenolate mofetil on progression of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy after kidney transplantation: a retrospective study.

Objectives: Chronic transplant dysfunction after kidney transplantation is a major reason of kidney graft loss and is caused by immunological and non-immunological factors. There is evidence that mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) may exert a positive effect on renal damage in addition to immunosuppression, by its direct antifibrotic properties. The aim of our study was to retrospectively investigate the role of MMF doses on progression of chronic allograft dysfunction and fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IF/TA).

[Disseminated aspergillosis in a patient with simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplant].

A 31-year-old woman suffering from diabetes type1 and terminal kidney disease, with simultaneously transplanted kidney and pancreas, developed an episode of acute organ rejection caused by antibodies. The management of organ rejection was complicated by cytomegalovirus viremia, with accompanying leukopenia and neutropenia. The patient also developed invasive aspergillosis of the lungs, which progressed and disseminated hematogenously to the thyroid gland and the skin.

[Acute renal failure as first manifestation of B-CLL].

In December 2005, the 55-year-old patient was hospitalized because of acute kidney failure and suspected hemorrhagic fever. The physical examination showed splenomegaly (spleen ultrasound-18 cm in large diameter, and 11 cm by palpation) with thrombocytopenia and anemia. He underwent kidney biopsy which described infiltration of small B cell lymphocytes with positive lambda chains.

[Flow cytometry and acute renal rejection confirmed by histopathologic analysis].

Transplantation of solid organs, tissues or hematopoietic cells is now standard in the treatment of patients with terminal stage disease in order to cure and improve the recipients' quality of life. The study included 54 patients having undergone single or multiple organ transplantation. All patients received a combination of immunosuppressant therapy consisting of corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitor (cyclosporine; tacrolimus), anti-CD25 (daclizumab) and mycophenolate-mofetil.

Septic arthritis due to Streptococcus sanguis.

Septic arthritis may represent a direct invasion of joint space by various microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi. Although any infectious agent may cause bacterial arthritis, bacterial pathogens are the most significant because of their rapidly destructive nature. We present a case of septic arthritis in a 56-year old male patient due to Streptococcus viridans which is member of the viridans group streptococci.

First documented case of BK nephropathy in kidney transplant recipient in Croatia: usage of urine cytology in evaluation process.

BK virus associated nephropathy (BKVAN) in transplanted kidney, although recognized as a distinct entity in the 1970-es, continues to represent a challenge in kidney transplantation, mainly because the optimal treatment approach has not been determined yet. The fact that about 10-20% of patients have simultaneously some stage of acute rejection, complicate the treatment even more. Herein we present a case of BK nephropathy in the patient, one year after combined liver and kidney transplantation, complicated by episode of acute T-cell mediated rejection.

Urine immunocytology as a noninvasive diagnostic tool for acute kidney rejection: a single center experience.

Renal biopsy is a gold standard for establishing diagnosis of acute rejection of the renal allograft. However, being invasive, renal biopsy has potential significant complications and contraindications. Therefore, possibility to noninvasively diagnose acute rejection would improve follow-up of kidney transplant patients.

[Diabetic nephropathy and primary glomarular diseases].

The primary glomerular disease in patients with diabetes mellitus is rare. Several reports have shown that primary glomerular diseases can be superimposed on diabetic nephropathy. The recognition of nondiabetic glomerular diseases in diabetic patients is of utmost importance since they might be successfully treated.

[Guidelines for diagnostics and treatment of arterial hypertension. Practical recommendations of the Croatian Working Group for Hypertension. Consideration on the ESH-ESC 2007 guidelines].

ESH/ECS guidelines for diagnostics and treatment of arterial hypertension 2007 is a basic paper for all physicians who treat hypertensive patients. Since publishing, this article has been the most cited medical paper. According to ESH/ECS guidelines some local peculiarities in each country should be considered when diagnosing and treating hypertensive patients.

[Chronic kidney disease and statins].

Dyslipidemia is a risk factor for de novo occurrence of renal disease in apparently healthy population, and diabetes, and contributes to progressive decline of renal function in diabetic and nondiabetic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease and dyslipidemia, frequently occurring together, are independent cardiovascular risk factors. There is a strong association between the level of renal insufficiency and cardiovascular disease.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome as an unusual adverse effect of azithromycin.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome mostly involves the skin and mucous membranes. The diagnosis is made when the characteristic rash appears 1 to 3 weeks after exposure to a known stimulus and cannot be explained by some other diagnosis. A 62-year-old woman was admitted for evaluation of toxo-allergic dermatitis and collagenosis.

Classic Kaposi's sarcoma: a case report.

A 60-year-old male from the Mediterranean area presented with edematous right leg and livid nodules and macules on the skin of upper and lower extremities. Biopsy specimen obtained from the right upper leg showed a pathohistologic finding indicative of Kaposi's sarcoma. Polymerase chain reaction testing revealed HHV-8 in the skin lesion.

Renal vascular resistance in glomerular diseases--correlation of resistance index with biopsy findings.

Duplex Doppler sonography has been recognized as a noninvasive method to evaluate hemodynamic features of renal blood in renal and intrarenal arteries in patients with various renal diseases. The significance of duplex Doppler sonography in the evaluation of renal vascular resistance in glomerular diseases has not yet been clearly determined. The aim of the present study was to evaluate renal vascular resistance in patients with glomerular diseases by measuring intrarenal arterial resistance (RI) and to correlate RI with renal functional tests and other clinical and laboratory data.

Unusual presentation of herpes zoster in an immunocompromised patient: case report.

We present a case of an immunocompromised patient with unusual presentation of herpes zoster infection. After having been treated with corticosteroids for several weeks, the patient developed the zoster infection with atypical clinical course and skin localization. Parenteral treatment with acyclovir for 10 days resulted in a complete clinical resolution of the skin lesions.