SARS-CoV-2 Humoral Immunity Persists Following Rituximab Therapy.

Long-term humoral immunity is mediated by short-lived plasma cells (replenished by memory B cells) and long-lived plasma cells. Their relative contributions are uncertain for immunity to SARS-CoV-2, especially given the widespread use of novel mRNA vaccines. Yet, this has far-reaching implications in terms of the need for regular booster doses in the general population and perhaps even revaccination in patients receiving B cell-depleting therapy.

Low regulatory T-cells: A distinct immunological subgroup in minimal change nephrotic syndrome with early relapse following rituximab therapy.

Rituximab is an important second line therapy in difficult nephrotic syndrome (NS), especially given toxicity of long-term glucocorticoid or calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) use. However, clinical response to rituximab is heterogenous. We hypothesized that this was underpinned by immunological differences amongst patients with NS.

MeSsAGe risk score: tool for renal biopsy decision in steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome.

Background: A lack of consensus exists as to the timing of kidney biopsy in children with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS) where minimal change disease (MCD) predominates. This study aimed at examining the applicability of a biomarker-assisted risk score model to select SDNS patients at high risk of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) for biopsy.

Methods: Fifty-five patients with SDNS and biopsy-proven MCD (n = 40) or FSGS (n = 15) were studied.

T Lymphocyte Activation Markers as Predictors of Responsiveness to Rituximab among Patients with FSGS.

Background And Objectives: Rituximab is used with variable success in difficult FSGS. Because B cell depletion significantly affects T cell function, we characterized T cell subsets in patients with FSGS to determine if an immunologic signature predictive of favorable response to rituximab could be identified.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: Twenty-two consecutive patients with FSGS (median age =14.

Use of HF20 membrane in critically ill unstable low-body-weight infants on inotropic support.

Background: Initiating continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in infants exposes them to the dual hemodynamic challenges of high circuit extracorporeal volumes and potential membrane reactions, in the case of acrylonitrile AN69 membranes. The use of the new Prismaflex HF20 membrane in hemodynamically unstable low-body-weight infants on inotropic support has not been reported.

Treatment: We describe the use of the HF20 (Gambro Lundia AB, Lund, Sweden) membrane in four low-body-weight infants (2.

Benign clinical course in H1N1 2009 influenza infection in young oseltamivir-treated immunocompromised patients with kidney disease in Singapore.

This report describes the clinical features of H1N1 2009 influenza infection in 10 young renal patients receiving chronic dialysis or immunosuppressants, and to compare their durations of viral shedding with 20 healthy controls. Although patients shed the virus for longer periods compared with controls, all had a self-limited clinical course. Studies on indications, dosages and durations of antiviral therapy in renal and immunocompromised patients are warranted.