Cellular immunity against cytomegalovirus and risk of infection after kidney transplantation.

Introduction: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection remains a challenge following kidney transplantation (KTx). Currently, CMV-IgG serostatus at transplantation is used to individualize CMV preventive strategies. We assessed the clinical utility of CMV-IGRA for predicting CMV infection following KTx.

Cytomegalovirus High-risk Kidney Transplant Recipients Show No Difference in Long-term Outcomes Following Preemptive Versus Prophylactic Management.

Background: Following kidney transplantation (KT), cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection remains an important challenge. Both prophylactic and preemptive antiviral protocols are used for CMV high-risk kidney recipients (donor seropositive/recipient seronegative; D+/R-). We performed a nationwide comparison of the 2 strategies in de novo D+/R- KT recipients accessing long-term outcomes.

β-Thromboglobulin may not reflect platelet activation during haemodialysis with the HeprAN membrane.

Background: When blood passes through the extracorporeal circuit during haemodialysis (HD) undesirable effects including platelet degranulation and coagulation activation take place. β-thromboglobulin (β-TG) is a sensitive marker of platelet activation. The aim of this study was to investigate platelet degranulation and coagulation activation during HD with the heparin-coated dialysis membrane HeprAN.

Low level of MAp44, an inhibitor of the lectin complement pathway, and long-term graft and patient survival; a cohort study of 382 kidney recipients.

Background: Higher incidence of malignancy and infectious diseases in kidney transplant recipients is related to immunosuppressive treatment after transplantation and the recipient's native immune system. The complement system is an essential component of the innate immunity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of effector molecules of the lectin complement pathway with graft and patient survival after kidney transplantation.

Collectin Liver 1 and Collectin Kidney 1 of the Lectin Complement Pathway Are Associated With Mortality After Kidney Transplantation.

Kidney transplanted patients still have significantly higher mortality compared with the general population. The innate immune system may play an important role during periods, with suppression of the adaptive immune system. In the present study, two soluble pattern recognition molecules of the innate immune system were investigated, collectin liver 1 (CL-L1) and collectin kidney 1 (CL-K1).

Effects of Hemodialysis on Methadone Pharmacokinetics and QTc.

Purpose: Effects of hemodialysis on pharmacokinetic properties and QTc were studied in 4 patients taking daily methadone dose of 100 mg (range, 60-120 mg).

Methods: Methadone in serum, dialysate, and urine were measured by LC-MS/MS. QTc was calculated with Bazett's formula.

High ficolin-3 level at the time of transplantation is an independent risk factor for graft loss in kidney transplant recipients.

Background: Recent studies have shown that activation of the complement system may be associated with long-term graft function. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the impact of the pattern recognition molecules of the lectin pathway on long-term graft survival after kidney transplantation.

Methods: Patients transplanted in 2000 to 2001 were included.

The impact of early cytomegalovirus infection after kidney transplantation on long-term graft and patient survival.

This prospective observational cohort study is an extension of a previous study reporting effects of cytomegalovirus (CMV) on graft and patient survival in 471 patients who underwent kidney transplantation between 1994 and 1997. CMV pp65 antigen was measured every 7-14 d during the first three months after transplantation, given as number of CMV pp65-positive cells per 10(5) leukocytes. A positive test was defined as CMV infection.

A 1-year randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of intravenous ibandronate on bone loss following renal transplantation.

The clinical profile of ibandronate as add-on to calcitriol and calcium was studied in this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 129 renal transplant recipients with early stable renal function (≤ 28 days posttransplantation, GFR ≥ 30 mL/min). Patients were randomized to receive i.v.

A heparin-coated dialysis filter (AN69 ST) does not reduce clotting during hemodialysis when compared to a conventional polysulfone filter (F×8).

Background: We investigated whether the heparin-coated AN69 ST hemodialysis (HD) filter induced less hypercoagulability during HD than a conventional polysulfone filter (F×8).

Methods: In a crossover design, 11 patients were treated alternately with AN69 ST and F×8 filters (45 sessions). All filters were primed with unfractionated heparin (UFH) and unadsorbed UFH was removed by saline flushing.

Renal amyloidosis in intravenous heroin addicts with nephrotic syndrome and renal failure.

Background: Renal amyloidosis has emerged as an important differential diagnosis when heroin addicts are admitted to renal clinics with proteinuria and nephrotic syndrome.

Material: We present nine heroin addicts with renal AA amyloidosis, a condition previously not encountered in Norway, who were admitted to our renal clinic during the last 3.5 years.

Impact of the complement lectin pathway on cytomegalovirus disease early after kidney transplantation.

Background: This study retrospectively investigated the association between pre-transplant levels of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) plus the associated serine protease (MASP)-2 and the occurrence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and symptomatic CMV disease during the first 12 weeks after kidney transplantation. Materials and methods. Altogether 159 consecutive single kidney transplant recipients were included.

Cytomegalovirus infection in renal transplant recipients is associated with impaired survival irrespective of expected mortality risk.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and CMV disease are associated with increased mortality post-transplantation. We have thus retrospectively examined whether this association is found both in patients with high and low mortality risk. Between 1994 and 1997, 471 kidney transplant recipients were monitored once weekly for CMV pp65 antigenemia and CMV disease the first 100 d after tx and followed prospectively for median 66.

The natural course of cytomegalovirus infection and disease in renal transplant recipients.

A series of prospective studies of a large cohort population of renal transplant recipients who did not receive cytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylaxis or preemptive therapy examined the effects of CMV infection and disease on renal allograft rejection, long-term recipient and graft survival, and new-onset diabetes mellitus. CMV infection and disease were found to be independent risk factors for allograft rejection and new-onset diabetes mellitus within 100 days posttransplantation, and for recipient mortality and uncensored graft loss beyond 100 days posttransplantation. Additional studies are needed to determine whether CMV prophylaxis or preemptive therapy may be of benefit in preventing these complications.

Early posttransplant serum osteoprotegerin levels predict long-term (8-year) patient survival and cardiovascular death in renal transplant patients.

The primary objectives of this analysis were to examine the effects of early posttransplantation (10 wk) serum levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG), mannose-binding lectin (MBL), and MBL-associated serine proteases (MASP; MASP-2 and MASP-3) on long-term (8-yr) patient survival, graft survival, and cardiovascular (CV) death. During a period of 16 mo (1995 to 1996), a total of 173 consecutive renal transplant recipients without diabetes before transplantation were included in a prospective study that was designed to address the impact of metabolic CV risk factors on survival and CV end points. Baseline sera from 172 patients were available for analysis.

The impact of early-diagnosed new-onset post-transplantation diabetes mellitus on survival and major cardiac events.

The impact of early-diagnosed new-onset post-transplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) on cardiovascular (CV) disease is not well described. The objectives of the present prospective single-center observational study were to assess the long-term effects of early-diagnosed new-onset PTDM on major cardiac events (MCE; cardiac death or nonfatal acute myocardial infarction) and patient survival. Diabetic status and CV risk factors were assessed in 201 consecutive renal allograft recipients 3 months after transplantation (baseline) during a period of 16 months (1995-96).

Intermittent saline flushes during haemodialysis do not alleviate coagulation and clot formation in stable patients receiving reduced doses of dalteparin.

Background: Heparin-free haemodialysis (HD) with intermittent saline flushes (ISF) in patients with bleeding risk is widely used. The aim of this study was to investigate if ISF reduce coagulation and clotting in stable patients receiving reduced doses of dalteparin.

Methods: Inclusion criteria were stable chronic HD patients >or=18 years of age and haemoglobin >or=11 g/dl.

The impact of early cytomegalovirus infection and disease in renal transplant recipients.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is the single most frequent infectious complication in the early period after kidney transplantation. The HCMV load in blood, measured by HCMV PCR or the HCMV pp65 antigen test, is a predictor of HCMV disease in seropositive recipients. However, plasma virus load measurements are of only modest value in predicting the risk of HCMV disease in seronegative recipients of kidneys from seropositive donors.

Asymptomatic cytomegalovirus infection is associated with increased risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus and impaired insulin release after renal transplantation.

Aims/hypothesis: The human cytomegalovirus (CMV) may increase the risk of diabetes mellitus, but the literature is scarce. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that asymptomatic CMV infection is associated with increased risk of new-onset diabetes after renal transplantation, and to assess the impact of asymptomatic CMV infection on OGTT-derived estimates of insulin release and insulin action.

Methods: A total of 160 consecutive non-diabetic renal transplant recipients on cyclosporine (Sandimmun Neoral)-based immunosuppression were closely monitored for CMV infection during the first 3 months after transplantation.

Impact of early cytomegalovirus infection and disease on long-term recipient and kidney graft survival.

Background: The impact of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease on long-term outcome after kidney transplantation is still unsettled.

Methods: Between 1994 and 1997, 397 consecutive first kidney graft recipients and 74 retransplants were included in the study and followed prospectively until December 31, 2001. CMV infection (CMV pp65 antigenemia) and CMV disease were recorded once weekly during the first 100 days after transplantation.

Low molecular weight heparins as thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing hemodialysis/hemofiltration or continuous renal replacement therapies.

Low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) have potential advantages over unfractionated heparin (UFH). They interact less with platelets and may induce less bleeding. The risk for heparin induced thrombocytopenia is less, and the effect on serum lipids is favourable.