A case of Ramsay Hunt syndrome in living-kidney transplant recipient

A 36-year-old woman underwent ABO-incompatible living-donor kidney transplantation. Immunosuppression was achieved by quadruple therapy with tacrolimus, basiliximab, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and prednisone. Desensitization and removal of anti-ABO antibody was achieved by administration of MMF for 4 weeks before transplantation followed by intravenous administration of rituximab, double-filtered plasmapheresis, and plasma exchange. At 1 month after transplantation, she complained of left ear pain without vesicle rash, tinnitus, and vertigo. Physical examination revealed left facial paralysis and nystagmus. T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) visualized swelling of the left facial nerve. Real-time polymerase chain reaction showed the existence of varicella zoster virus DNA in the patient's tears and saliva. The final diagnosis was Ramsay Hunt syndrome without vesicle rash, which is called zoster sine herpete. The patient was treated by intravenous administration of acyclovir (3 mg/kg, 3 times per day) in addition to the reduction of the MMF dose. For facial nerve palsy, prednisolone was prescribed for 3 days and then gradually tapered. These treatments improved the symptoms of tinnitus and vertigo after a month; the facial nerve palsy completely disappeared after 10 months. This case demonstrated MRI to be a useful modality for the early diagnosis of Ramsay Hunt syndrome without vesicle eruption.     

Mycophenolate mofetil in pediatric renal transplantation

INTRODUCTION: Since kidney transplantation is the therapy of choice for children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), we investigated the effects of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in pediatric renal transplantation. METHODS AND SUBJECTS: Two hundred sixteen children received renal transplants between 1985 and 2003: 100 patients received MMF with cyclosporine and prednisolone (cases), and 116 patients, azathioprine with cyclosporine and prednisolone (controls). RESULTS: The MMF group (100 patients) showed better graft survival and function than the AZA group (116 patients). Patients who received MMF immediately after transplantation experienced less graft loss and acute rejection episodes in the first 3 months after transplantation (P < .05). Patients who received MMF at the time of diagnosis of chronic rejection had stable renal function and remarkably better graft survival than those with chronic rejection who received AZA instead of MMF (P < .05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that MMF may stop persistent graft dysfunction in chronic rejection, improving graft survival in the short and long terms posttransplantation.     

Sirolimus: A Switch Option for Mycophenolate Mofetil–Induced Leukopenia in Renal Transplant Recipients

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a potent immunosuppressive agent used to prevent acute and chronic rejection in kidney transplantation or for rescue therapy. One side effect of MMF is bone marrow toxicity, including leukopenia, which may necessitate drug withdrawal. We report 2 patients who underwent kidney transplantation and developed leukopenia while receiving MMF and safely switched to sirolimus. A 35-year-old woman underwent deceased donor kidney transplantation. She received basiliximab, tacrolimus, MMF, and a corticosteroid. On postoperative day (POD) 75, her white blood cell (WBC) count was 1800/μL. A 44-year-old women underwent deceased donor kidney transplantation and received basiliximab, tacrolimus, MMF, valganciclovir, and a corticosteroid. On POD 88, her WBC count was 1320/μL. MMF was switched to sirolimus, resulting in recovery of WBC count without rejection. Switch from MMF to sirolimus is safe and favorable in MMF-induced leukopenia in renal transplant recipient.     

Evaluation of neurologic complications by brain MRI in kidney and liver transplant recipients

The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients who developed neurologic complications after liver and kidney transplantation. The results in 216 organ transplant recipients, who had brain MRI were evaluated retrospectively. We performed 187 brain MRI on kidney recipients and 29 liver recipients. Neuroradiologic findings were classified in three groups: group 1 findings were related to transplantation; group 2 findings, to chronic parenchymal disease; and group 3 to neither transplantation nor chronic parenchymal disease. In group 1, six patients (20.6%) after liver and three (1.6%) after kidney transplantation had posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome; two patients (1.1%) after renal and one (3.4%) after liver transplantation had tuberculosis granulomas; one patient (0.5%) after renal transplantation had osmotic demyelination syndrome; one patient (0.5%) had a Nocardia abcess and one (0.5%) focal cerebritis after renal transplantation. Among group 2, 38 patients (20.3%) had brain atrophy; 37 (20%), white matter changes; 3 (1.6%), sinus thrombosis; 8 (4.3%), lacunar infarct; 1 (0.5%), had renal osteodystrophy in the cranial bones; and 4 (2.2%), had intracranial hemorrhage secondary to end-stage renal disease. Brain atrophy in nine patients (31%), hyperintensity in the globus pallidus on T1-weighted MR images owing to manganese deposits in nine patients (31%), hyperintensity in basal ganglia on T2-weighted MR images owing to copper depositions in one patient (3.4%) were seen secondary to chronic liver disease. In group 3, three patients (1.6%) had intracranial lipomas; one (0.5%), mesial temporal sclerosis; and one (0.5%), an anterior cerebral artery aneurysm in renal transplant patients. Periventricular and subcortical white matter hyperintensities were observed on T2-weighted MR images in six liver transplant patients (20.7%). Neurologic complications after organ transplantation may be secondary to transplantation itself, to chronic parenchymal disease, or to neither transplantation nor chronic parenchymal disease.     

Sequential blood level monitoring of basiliximab during multisession plasmapheresis in a kidney transplant recipient

Basiliximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody against the alpha chain of the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) has been used in renal transplant patients. We monitored sequential blood concentrations of basiliximab in a patient who received a kidney transplant with basiliximab-based immunosuppression together with multiple sessions of plasmapheresis. A 34-year-old man received a living-related kidney transplant with induction immunosuppression including tacrolimus, mycophenolate, methylprednisolone, and basiliximab. Severe antibody-mediated acute rejection lead to a requirement for hemodialysis. Deoxyspergualin was administered for 10 days at a daily dose of 5 mg/kg combined with eight sessions of double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP). After treatment, the serum creatinine returned to 0.95 mg/dL, and there were no major complications or infections. Sequential basiliximab blood levels of the patient were monitored following transplantation. The serum basiliximab concentration decreased by 72.4% after five consecutive DFPPs, and by 87.6% after eight DFPP sessions. The elimination rate of basiliximab (DeltaBLX) was 6.1% before DFPP, but increased over eight DFPPs to 20.5%. Serum basiliximab concentrations declined to 0.16 microg/mL on day 33, which is below the IL-2R saturation concentration (0.2 microg/mL). Multiple sessions of plasmapheresis using DFPP enhanced the elimination of serum basiliximab at an average elimination rate of 19.1%. In the patient reported on here, the serum basiliximab concentration fell to below the IL-2R saturation level (0.2 microg/mL) within 1 month of living-related kidney transplantation. We recommend that additional basiliximab infusions be considered for cases undergoing more than three plasmapheresis sessions.     

Late-Onset Post-transplantation Central Nervous System Lymphoproliferative Disorder: Case Report

Post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a heterogeneous group of conditions that complicate organ transplantation and are due to immunosuppression. Central nervous system (CNS)-PTLD is rare but its incidence is increasing. It often occurs late and is associated with kidney transplantation and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Outcomes are poor. We present the case of a 77-year-old white male who received a cadaveric kidney transplant in 2003. Maintenance immunosuppression consisted of mycofenolate mofetil (MMF), cyclosporine, and prednisolone. In 2017, while admitted for other cause, he presented with de novo epileptic seizures. Because the patient had a pacemaker, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could not be performed. The final diagnosis of CNS-PTLD was known through brain biopsy, after a suitable image was obtained with contrasted brain computed tomography (CT). EBV was positive in brain biopsy, cefalospinal fluid, and blood. Treatment was attempted with reduction of immunosuppression. Cyclosporine was switched to sirolimus. The patient died before administration of rituximab. The patient's performance status was poor. There must be awareness for neurological symptoms after kidney transplantation to timely diagnose CNS-PTLD. Contrasted brain CT may be useful to obtain a biopsy specimen in cases where MRI is impossible to use.     

Exercise-induced acute kidney injury with reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome

We report a case of a 17-year-old boy suffering from severe loin pain and oliguric acute kidney injury after strenuous exercise, with slightly elevated serum myoglobin and creatinine phosphokinase. Exercise-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) was diagnosed. We started intermittent hemodialysis thrice a week from the admission day. Four days later, he temporally lost consciousness, followed by visual agnosia and general clonic seizure. T2-weighted brain magnetic resonance images (MRI) showed multiple areas of increased signal intensity in the subcortical white matter, predominantly in the cerebrum of the posterior and parietal lobes and in the cerebellum. Clinical symptoms improved without sequelae. Follow-up MRI 1 month later showed complete resolution of the signals, and he was diagnosed with reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS). This is the first reported case of exercise-induced AKI associated with RPLS. Vasoconstriction and endothelial dysfunction are considered as the common etiology of these diseases.     

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy in the course of Goodpasture syndrome

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) is characterized by headache, altered consciousness, seizures, and cortical blindness. The most frequent etiological factors are hypertension, kidney diseases, and immunosuppressive drugs such as steroids and cyclophosphamide. Herein we present a case of a 22-year-old female patient presented with alveolar hemorrhage and acute renal failure necessitating hemodialysis. In renal biopsy, necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis and immunofluorescence pattern compatible with Goodpasture syndrome were found. Anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody result was positive. At follow-up, respiratory failure ensued, steroid pulse treatment was started, and she was transferred to intensive care unit (ICU). In the ICU, she had visual disturbances and blindness together with seizures. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed irregular T2- and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR)-weighted lesions in bilateral occipital lobes. On clinical and radiological grounds, RPLS was diagnosed. With the supportive and anti-hypertensive treatment, RPLS was resolved without a sequela. Subsequent cranial MRI was totally normal. In the literature, RPLS associated with Goodpasture syndrome was reported only once. Hypertension and methylprednisolone might be the responsible etiologies in this case.     

Calcineurin Inhibitors in Renal Transplantation Still Needed but in Reduced Doses: A Review

Despite their contribution in the success of organ transplantation, calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) may be responsible for frequent and severe side effects that can affect graft survival and life expectancy. In this article, we have reviewed registry studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that seek to avoid, withdraw, or minimize CNIs in renal transplant recipients. Attempts to completely avoid CNIs by administering mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and/or sirolimus (SRL) have resulted in increased risks of rejection and side effects, with small advantage to improve renal graft function. Early withdrawal of CNIs after transplantation using administration of MMF can improve graft function but may be associated with a greater risk of acute or chronic rejection and graft failure. RCTs in which CNIs were replaced a few months after transplantation by SRL reported improved graft function among SRL-treated patients, but such a treatment was complicated by iatrogenic toxicity. Late replacement of CNIs with SRL did not produce a particular advantage and again was complicated by more frequent side effects. On the basis of these trials, it seems that CNI elimination can trigger rejection or side effects. Recent RCTs showed that minimization of CNI doses in association with everolimus does not increase the risk of rejection, allows one to obtain good graft function, and is well tolerated. Such an approach seems therefore preferable to complete elimination of CNIs with substitution of the current immunosuppressive drugs.     

Unusual saprophytic bacterial infection as emerging opportunistic pathogens in kidney transplantation

Sir, A 33-year-old man underwent cadaver renal transplantation forpolycystic kidney disease. Immunosuppression consisted of basiliximab,tacrolimus, mycophenolic acid (MA) and steroids. Resumptionof kidney function was immediate, and the patient was dischargedon Day 11. On Day 75, white blood cell (WBC) count dropped to     

Allogeneic Kidney Transplantation After COVID-19: A Case Report

BackgroundPatients undergoing organ transplantation are immunosuppressed and already at risk of various diseases. We report about a patient who underwent ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) without a recurrence of infection.Case ReportA 68-year-old woman presented with end-stage renal failure owing to primary autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease; accordingly, hemodialysis was initiated in September 2020. Her medical history included bilateral osteoarthritis, lumbar spinal stenosis, hypertension, and hyperuricemia. In mid-January 2021, she contracted severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection from her husband. Both of them were hospitalized and received conservative treatment. Because their symptoms were mild, they were discharged after 10 days. The patient subsequently underwent ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation from her husband who recovered from COVID-19 in March 2021. Before kidney transplantation, her COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction test was negative, confirming the absence of pre-existing COVID-19 immediately before the procedure. Computed tomography revealed no pneumonia. Initial immunosuppression was induced by administering tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, methylprednisolone, basiliximab, rituximab, and 30 g of intravenous immunoglobulin. Double-filtration plasmapheresis and plasma exchange were performed once before ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation. The renal allograft functioned immediately, and the postoperative course was normal without rejection. COVID-19 did not recur. In addition, her serum creatinine levels and renal function had otherwise remained stable.ConclusionLiving kidney transplantation was safely performed in a patient with COVID-19 without postoperative complications or rejection. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the possibility of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection during transplantation surgery must be considered.     

Acute Renal Failure Caused by Hyperuremic Acidemia in ABO-Incompatible Kidney Transplant Maintained With Cyclosporine and High-Dose Mizoribine: A Case Report

Introduction

The shortage of cadaver organs has led to expansion of living donor kidney transplantations with, 30% increase among ABO-incompatible cases in Japan and the use of marginal extended donors. Herein we have reported the outcome after an ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation from an aged living-related donor who suffered from mild diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

Case Report

A 48-year-old man underwent ABO-incompatible kidney transplantation from his 76-year-old father, using anti-CD20 antibody induction, followed by cyclosporine (CsA), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and prednisolone. After the operation, MMF was switched to high-dose mizoribine (MZ). He was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day (POD) 28 with a serum creatinine (sCr) of 1.47 mg/dL. On POD 34 when the sCr was 8.14 mg/dL, his urine examination showed uric acid crystals with serum uric acid of 24.6 mg/dL. Biopsy findings showed no evidence of acute rejection but mild tubulointerstitial injury. Hemodialysis performed twice to reduce uric acid was accompanied by hydration. CsA/MZ was switched to tacrolims/MMF; benzbromarone, to febuxostat to treat hyperuric acidemia. On POD 58, sCr reduced to 1.75 mg/dL he was discharged. On POD 416, graft function was stable with sCr of 1.70 mg/dL.

Conclusion

Common side effect of MZ is hyperuricemia which presumably caused acute renal failure of this aged marginal donor kidney.     

Thymoglobuline plus basiliximab a mixed cocktail to start?

Recent results reported by Ciancio et al. have demonstrated the long term successful use of dual induction therapy in kidney transplant recipients. Our experience using an “induction cocktail”, thymoglobuline plus basiliximab, started in 2007 and we have treated 235 patients through the past 10 years. In our population, we used a combination of CNIs and MMF or mTORi as maintenance therapy. Our results in term of patient and graft survival, acute rejection rate, renal function and incidence of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder support the data reported by Ciancio. We believe that double induction therapy allows on one hand to delay the CNIs introduction, reducing delayed graft function, and on the other hand protects the patient while building the targeted drugs exposures, so reducing the incidence of acute rejection.     

Hot-topic debate on kidney function: renal-sparing approaches are ineffective

Key Points: 1. Both acute kidney injury and chronic renal disease are common in patients undergoing liver transplantation. The etiologies are mixed. 2. The incidence of chronic renal failure after liver transplantation is unacceptable, and it has a significant impact on long-term outcomes after liver transplantation. 3. The role of calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) in the development of posttransplant chronic renal failure is likely overrated. 4. The use of CNIs in the early posttransplant period is currently essential. 5. Whether new agents will be able to provide effective immunosuppression as primary immunosuppressives remains to be proven.     

Recurrent nephrotic syndrome after living-related renal transplantation resistant to plasma exchange: report of two cases

Abstract:  We encountered two patients of recurrent nephrotic syndrome (NS) after renal transplantation that was resistant to plasma exchange (PEX). Case 1 was a 34-year-old man with a living-related renal transplant for type-I membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) related end-stage renal disease (ESRD). He developed overt proteinuria 7 months post-transplant and presented with NS 5 months later. Biopsy of the transplant kidney revealed recurrent type I MPGN, but no features of acute rejection (AR) or chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN). He was treated with cyclophosphamide (CP), oral prednisolone (40 mg/d), an anti-platelet agent, heparin sulfate, and PEX, but the nephrotic state persisted and renal function was deteriorated. He recommenced hemodialysis 3 yr and 9 months after renal transplant. Case 2 was a 47-year-old male who underwent living-related renal transplant for ESRD due to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). He presented with proteinuria shortly after renal transplantation. He also had frequent episodes of AR. Graft biopsy revealed recurrent FSGS. Treatment of pulse methylprednisolone and PEX was transiently effective, but NS relapsed shortly after PEX. Graft biopsy at our hospital showed features of CAN with moderate interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, presence of intraglomerular foam cells but no segmental sclerosis. Treatment with 12 courses of low-density lipoprotein apheresis (LDL-A) reduced proteinuria from 9.6 to 2.0 g/d, and incomplete remission has been maintained for more than 1 yr after LDL-A with slowly progressive renal dysfunction. Despite recent therapeutic advances, including the use of immunosuppressants and PEX, treatment of recurrent disease remains difficult. The LDL-A might be useful in cases with recurrent FSGS resistant to PEX.     

Acute Inflammatory Syndrome Paradoxically Induced by De Novo Purine Inhibitors Synthesis Before Renal Transplantation: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Background

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and mizoribine (MZR) are increasingly used as immunosuppressive agents for organ transplantation and chronic inflammation. We report a patient with rheumatoid arthritis who had an acute inflammatory syndrome triggered by preoperative immunosuppression therapy with both MMF and MZR.

剖宫产术-硬脊膜刺破后头痛-可逆性后部白质脑病综合征

可逆性后部白质脑病综合症(reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome,RPLS)是一少见的具有多种临床表现的综合征,临床症状包括头痛、高血压、意识障碍、视觉改变和癫痫发作.此文报道1例剖宫产术后发生的RPLS.患者28岁,女性,因"停经40+6周,慢性高血压合并妊...     

Three cases demonstrating the characteristic neuroimaging of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome

Revisible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) is a syndrome defined predominantly by a characteristic pattern of MR images but heterogeneity and reversibility of the abnormalities is unclear. Three patients with characteristic neuroimaging of RPLS are described. Case 1. A 29-year-old woman underwent cesarean section 3 days before developing headache, visual disturbance, mild conscious deterioration and increased blood pressure. MRI on admission showed predominantly white matter edema bilaterally affecting the occipital, temporal and posterior parietal lobes. Lesions were iso-, hypointense on T1 weighted and hyperintense on T2 weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images. Diffusion-weighted image (DWI) did not demonstrate hyperintensity in the same regions. She responded well to initial treatment and showed complete recovery. Case 2. A 67-year-old man had headache and visual disturbance after thromboendarterectomy of the left femoral artery. Initial DWI demonstrated hyperintensity in the occipital lobe. The patient had visual abnormality at discharge. Case 3. A 40-year-old woman with early gastric cancer had headache immediately after the injection of contrast material during abdominal computed tomography (CT) examination followed by generalized convulsion. On the third day, she had severe headache and vomiting. Her consciousness deteriorated to lethargy. CT showed marked brain edema, intracerebral hemorrhage, thin subdural hematoma and midline shift. External decompression and hematoma evacuation was performed. She had left hemianopia and left hemiplegia 1 month later. This report has important implications concerning the accurate early diagnosis of RPLS using MRI including DWI and its utility in prompting initial treatment. It should be noted that some cases demonstrating the characteristic neuroimaging pattern of RPLS do not attain full recovery and that surgical intervention is required in some cases.     

Calcineurin Inhibitor–Induced Pain Syndrome in ABO-Incompatible Living Kidney Transplantation: A Case Report

Background

Calcineurin-inhibitor–induced pain syndrome (CIPS) was used as a reference in the literature as reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome related to calcineurin inhibitors. Much of the literature describes CIPS that occurred after kidney and bone marrow transplantation. We describe a rare case of CIPS in induction immunosuppression before kidney transplantation, under administration of an anti-rheumatoid drug.

Calcineurin inhibitor minimization protocols in liver transplantation

Liver transplant recipients are at increasingly high risk for suffering from impaired renal function and probable need of renal replacement therapy. Extended criteria organs and transplantation of patients with higher model for end-stage liver disease scores further increase this problem. Acute and chronic nephrotoxicity are the trade-off in immunosuppression with potent calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs). As a good renal function is associated with better graft and patient survival, CNI minimization protocols have been developed. Current strategies to overcome CNI toxicity include reduction or withdrawal of CNIs concurrently with switching over to mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)-based regimens. This strategy caused an improvement in renal function in a significant number of liver transplantation patients according to several studies. However, total CNI avoidance seems to result in higher rejection rates. To prevent chronic renal dysfunction in patients prone to or with acute renal failure, CNI delay – with induction therapy for bridging – followed by low-dose CNI in combination with MMF are proven strategies without risking higher rejection rates. An individualized, tailor-made immunosuppressive regime, with a special focus on renal function is recommended. This review gave an overview on CNI minimization protocols in liver transplantation also focusing on recently analyzed studies.