Time-Limited Therapy with Belatacept in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Introduction: In kidney transplant recipients, belatacept is usually pursued indefinitely after it has been started. In the setting of the belatacept shortage and after having evaluated the benefit-risk ratio, we established a strategy consisting of time-limited belatacept therapy/transient calcineurin inhibitor withdrawal, whose results are analyzed in that study.

Methods: We considered all the kidney transplant recipients that had been switched from conventional immunosuppressive therapy to belatacept and then for whom belatacept has been withdrawn intentionally.

Hyponatremia is associated with poor outcome in COVID-19.

Aim: Our objective was to describe the impact of hyponatremia on the outcomes of COVID-19 patients [outcomes selected: intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation or death].

Methods: Two groups of COVID-19 patients were retrospectively screened on the basis of plasma sodium level at admission: hyponatremic (sodium < 135 mM, n = 92) or normonatremic (sodium ≥ 135 mM, n = 198) patients. Pearson's chi- (qualitative variables) and Student's T tests (quantitative variables) were used to compare the two groups.

Association between Use of Hydrochlorothiazide and Risk of Keratinocyte Cancers in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background And Objectives: Keratinocyte cancers, which primarily comprise squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas, represent a major concern and potential risk for kidney transplant recipients. Hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic widely used to treat hypertension, has been implicated in skin photosensitivity reaction. Recent studies conducted in the general population have found that hydrochlorothiazide use is associated with a higher risk of keratinocyte cancer, especially squamous cell carcinomas.