The Role of the Duffy Blood Group Antigens in Renal Transplantation and Rejection. A Mini Review.

Finding a compatible donor for kidney transplant candidates requires overcoming immunological barriers such as human leukocyte antigens (HLA) compatibility and ABO compatibility. Emerging data suggest a role for red blood cell antigens (RCA) in renal transplant outcomes. The incidence of RCA alloimmunization is high in chronically transfused individuals, such as end stage renal disease patients, but whether antibodies to RCA can mediate renal graft rejection remains debatable.

A case report on the role of plasma exchange in the management of a massive amlodipine besylate intoxication.

Therapeutic plasma exchange is a procedure used to remove pathologic substances from a patient's blood that has proven useful in some cases of drug overdose. Overdose by calcium channel blocker antihypertensive agents has been shown to be a cause of significant morbidity and can often times prove fatal. These agents cause systemic hypotension by inhibiting cell membrane calcium channels, which leads to a slowing of intracardiac electric conduction with consequent impairment of myocardial function and widespread vasodilation.