Proton pump inhibitors and acute interstitial nephritis: report and analysis of 15 cases

AIM: Although proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are usually safe and effective therapeutic agents, serious adverse effects can occur. The aim of the present study was to report and analyse the clinical features of 15 patients with acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) and acute renal failure from PPI that were referred to renal services in Auckland over a period of 3 years. METHODS: The clinical presentation, therapeutic drugs, demographic details and renal outcome of the patients were considered. The population at risk and total PPI exposure were able to be defined. The diagnosis of AIN was made by renal biopsy in 12 cases. In all patients, the time-course of drug exposure and improvement of renal function on withdrawal suggested PPI were causal. RESULTS: The median patient age was 78 years. The mean baseline serum creatinine level was 83 micromol/L, peak level 392 micromol/L, and recovery level 139 micromol/L. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein were elevated at the time of diagnosis in the 11 and 12 patients, respectively, where this information was collected (ESR mean 85 mm/h, and C-reactive protein mean 81 mg/L). AIN occurred at 8 per 100 000 patient years (95% confidence level 2.6-18.7 per 100 000 patient years). Although four patients presented with an acute systemic allergic reaction, 11 were asymptomatic with an insidious development of renal failure. CONCLUSION: PPI are now the most commonly identified cause of AIN in the Auckland area. Recovery occurs after withdrawal of the drug but is often incomplete. Early diagnosis may be facilitated by clinician awareness of the insidious onset of renal failure, and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein.     

53例急性间质性肾炎临床病理分析

目的 分析急性间质性肾炎（acute interstitial nephr-itis,AIN）的病因、临床表现及肾脏病理改变,探讨联合糖皮质激素治疗AIN的效果及预后.方法 回顾性分析我院自2004年1月至2012年12月经肾活检确诊的53例AIN患者的病因、临床表现、肾脏病理改变及联合糖皮质激素治疗的疗效等.结果 肾活检病例7 965例,确诊为AIN的53例（占0.67%）,其中11例（占20.75%）合并基础肾小球疾病.分析53例AIN的病因,药物相关性急性间质性肾炎（DAIN）32例（占60.38%）,其中抗生素导致的AIN 14例,占DAIN的43.75%.感染导致的AIN 10例（占18.87%）.主要的临床表现包括急性肾衰竭49例（占92.45%）、镜下血尿33例（占62.26%）、贫血31例（占58.49%）、蛋白尿31例（占58.49%）、白细胞尿17例（占32.08%）、发热14例（占26.42%）,少尿14例（占26.42%）、皮疹4例（占7.55%）、关节痛3例（占5.66%）、嗜酸细胞增高2例（占3.77%）.病理表现示肾小管间质水肿伴炎症细胞浸润,肾小管损伤轻重不等,合并有基础肾小球疾病者有肾小球损伤.共有16例（占30.19%）患者行血液透析治疗,除1例患者在肾活检结果出来前死亡外,其余52例患者均予糖皮质激素治疗.治疗好转出院时32例（占60.38%）患者肾功能恢复正常,16例行血液透析治疗的患者10例肾功能好转摆脱透析,5例维持性血液透析治疗,1例死亡.结论 AIN常见的病因为药物和感染,主要临床表现为非少尿性急性肾衰竭、血尿、贫血、蛋白尿等,联合糖皮质激素治疗效果较好.     

COX-2 inhibitors and acute interstitial nephritis: case report and review of the literature

We report a case of biopsy-proven acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) in a 50-year-old diabetic woman, who had been treated with celecoxib for 4 weeks before presentation. She presented with clinical findings of renal proximal tubulopathy, aseptic leukocyturia and acute renal failure. A kidney biopsy specimen showed AIN with intense tubuli and eosinophilic infiltrate in the interstitium. She recovered normal renal function two weeks after cessation of celecoxib and use of a corticosteroid. A review of the literature yielded eight cases of COX-2 inhibitor-associated AIN with a biopsy-proven diagnosis. Among the reported cases, AIN was diagnosed after an average of 8.3 months of therapy (SD 12 months, range 3 days - 3 years) with 25 mg rofecoxib or 200 mg celecoxib daily. Common symptoms included asthenia, anorexia, nausea and vomiting. The classic triad of fever, rash and eosinophilia was uncommon. Typical laboratory features included hematuria, proteinuria, eosinophilia. Renal failure was common at the time of diagnosis. Mean serum creatinine levels were 0.86 +/- 0.11 mg/dl, 5.66 +/- 3.50 mg/dl and 1.15 +/- 0.24 before treatment, at time of diagnosis and 1 - 2 months after COX-2 inhibitor withdrawal, respectively. Three patients required emergency hemodialysis. After cessation of COX-2 inhibitor treatment, patients recovered completely with a normalized serum creatinine level after one to two months. Management consisted of withdrawal of the COX-2 inhibitor drug and in four patients, corticosteroid therapy was well-tolerated and may have been beneficial.     

Antibiotic-induced recurring interstitial nephritis

Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is often induced by drug therapy and accounts for 1%–3% of adult cases of renal failure. A 13-year-old white female with cystic fibrosis developed two episodes of biopsy proven AIN following antibiotic use over a 5-year period. The first episode resolved with pulse steroid therapy and the second resolved without intervention. Steroid therapy may play a role in aborting subsequent AIN attacks. Received: 22 January 2001 / Revised: 19 June 2001 / Accepted: 19 June 2001     

Antibiotics-induced acute interstitial nephritis in 6 children

INTRODUCTION: Antibiotics-induced acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is a rare disorder in children, and the diagnosis is often delayed. However, many commonly prescribed antibiotics seem to be implicated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 6 children, age range from 10 months to 14 years, with biopsy-confirmed antibiotics-induced AIN. Clinical presentation, morphological findings, and outcomes are reported. RESULTS: Symptoms of AIN started 2-4 weeks after antimicrobial therapy with beta-lactam antibiotics in 5 children and with gentamicin in 1 child. All patients presented with acute renal failure and fever. The glomerular filtration rate was dramatically reduced in 2 cases and mildly reduced in 4 patients. Two of our patients had supportive treatment, 2 received corticosteroid therapy, and 2 children remained under peritoneal dialysis for 12 and 22 days, respectively. Five patients had a full recovery of their renal function, and 1 child, 2 years later, still presented impairment of the renal function. CONCLUSION: AIN should be considered in case of acute renal failure in children, mostly when other common causes have been excluded, and there is a history of drug exposure.     

Steroid withdrawal at 3 months after kidney transplantation: a comparison of two tacrolimus-based regimens

The 6 month prospective, randomized study compared the steroid-sparing potential of two tacrolimus-based regimens after renal transplantation. A total of 489 patients were randomized (1:1) to receive tacrolimus/mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)/steroids (n = 243; group Tac/MMF/S) or tacrolimus/azathioprine/steroids (n = 246; group Tac/Aza/S). At 3 months, steroids were tapered off in 267 (54.6%) patients free from steroid-resistant acute rejection and with serum creatinine concentrations <160 micromol/l. The incidence of biopsy-confirmed acute rejection at month 3 was lower in group Tac/MMF/S compared with group Tac/Aza/S (18.1% vs. 26.0%,P = 0.035). Moreover, more patients in the Tac/MMF/S group met the criteria for steroid withdrawal than in the Tac/Aza/S group (60.5% vs. 48.8%; P < 0.01). The incidence of acute rejection during months 4-6 was low in all groups, both for patients on steroid-free dual therapy (Tac/MMF: 2.7%, Tac/Aza: 0.8%) and for patients who continued steroid maintenance therapy (Tac/MMF/S: 3.5%, Tac/Aza/S: 7.1%). Moreover, kidney function was well preserved in steroid-free patients with month 6 median serum creatinine levels of 119.5 micromol/l (Tac/MMF), and 115.1 micromol/l (Tac/Aza). For patients who continued to receive steroids, month 6 median creatinine levels were 130.5 micromol/l (Tac/MMF/S) and 132.8 micromol/l (Tac/Aza/S). The criteria for the selection of patients to discontinue steroids were adequate. Both tacrolimus-based regimens allowed the safe discontinuation of steroids in low-risk patients at month 3. The Tac/MMF combination was superior in the prevention of acute rejections and more patients met the chosen criteria for steroid withdrawal.     

肾小球肾炎合并急性间质性肾炎的临床病理分析

目的 探讨肾小球肾炎合并急性间质性肾炎(AIN)患者的临床和病理特点。 方法 回顾性分析21例经肾活检证实的肾小球肾炎合并AIN患者的资料，以同期无肾小球疾病的AIN患者 35例作为对照。 结果 肾小球肾炎合并AIN占同期AIN的37.5%。β内酰胺类抗生素、中药是引起AIN的主要病因。76.2%的患者就诊原因为发现血肌酐升高。肾组织学检查同时存在肾小球肾炎和AIN的病理改变，肾间质与肾小球病变程度不平行，前者普遍重于肾小球损害，肾间质中嗜酸性粒细胞对诊断有提示价值。随访中，64.7%的患者肾功能最终恢复正常或基线水平，中位恢复时间为150 d（单纯AIN组为60 d），两组患者在2年内肾功能恢复情况方面无明显差异。 结论 肾小球肾炎合并AIN的患者临床表现不典型，AIN的症状易被肾小球肾炎掩盖。肾活检对诊断和鉴别有重要价值。早期诊治的患者预后较好。     

Changes in renal function in patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy treated with orthotopic liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) is an autosomal dominant disease caused by a point mutation in the gene encoding transthyretin, which is secreted by the liver. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has been proposed to prevent disease progression. Little is known about long-term changes in renal function and lesions after OLT. METHODS: The renal function of 33 patients with FAP was evaluated (proteinuria, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance) before OLT and over a period of at least 5 years afterwards. A pre-transplantation renal biopsy was performed in 14 patients and a follow-up biopsy in eight patients. RESULTS: Before transplantation, mean serum creatinine concentration was 86 micromol/l (47-126 micromol/l) and creatinine clearance was 71.9+/-31.6 ml/min/1.73 m(2). Proteinuria was detected in 54% of patients (0.3-4 g/day). Pre-transplant renal biopsies (n = 14) revealed glomerular, tubular and vascular amyloid deposits in 90, 58 and 66% of patients, respectively. Eleven patients (33%) died after OLT. Death occurred most frequently in patients having weight losses >7 kg (P<0.05). After transplantation, 25 patients (76%) suffered acute renal failure but only one required dialysis. One month after transplantation, the mean serum creatinine concentration was 134.1+/-73 micromol/l and remained constant during follow-up. Eight patients underwent a second renal biopsy 2 years after transplantation. No significant changes in deposits or renal toxicity due to calcineurin inhibitors were detected. CONCLUSION: Although liver transplantation in FAP does not affect existing renal amyloid deposits, it prevents the progression of renal disease.     

Acute renal failure in chronic kidney disease--clinical and pathological analysis of 104 cases

BACKGROUND: Acute renal failure in chronic kidney disease (A/C) constitutes an important part of acute renal failure (ARF), but until now there has been no research focusing on this entity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical data were collected from all patients diagnosed as A/C by clinical materials and renal biopsy over a 12-year period (January 1990 - December 2001) in the renal department of a teaching hospital, and the incidence, etiology, pathological and clinical features of A/C, and factors predicting prognosis were studied. RESULTS: Altogether, 104 patients of A/C were identified, which accounted for 35.5% of biopsied acute renal failure cases during the same period. Drug-induced acute renal interstitial/tubular-interstitial disease, prerenal ARF and flare-up of lupus nephritis were the most common causes of ARF in A/C patients. More than one third of A/C were associated with drugs, which occurred more commonly in older patients. After an average hospitalization of 28.5 days, about 39 patients required dialysis, 23 patients became dialysis-independent. The mortality was 1.9%. Furthermore, serum creatinine (Scr) returned to normal level (< 133 micromol/l) in 46.2% of all patients; Scr decreased by 15%, yet not normal in 26.0%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that hypertension, requirement of dialysis therapy and high Scr level were independent predictors of poor renal outcome. CONCLUSION: A/C constitutes an important part of ARF, and drug-induced ARF is prominent in China. Because early diagnosis and correct treatment may obviously affect prognosis, enough attention should be paid to this entity.     

The benefits of renin-angiotensin blockade in renal transplant recipients with biopsy-proven allograft nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Allograft nephropathy, regardless of aetiology, leads to progressive renal injury and eventual graft loss. In native kidney disease, treatment of hypertension, in particular with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), has proven beneficial in retarding renal function decline. In the present study, we reviewed the clinical course of a renal transplant recipient cohort that was prescribed either an ACEi or ARB for biopsy-proven allograft nephropathy. METHODS: Patients were followed from the time of post-biopsy initiation of ACEi/ARB and were stratified based on biopsy findings. Outcomes of interest included safety, allograft survival, renal function and change in slope of renal function pre- and post-ACEi/ARB. RESULTS: The 5 year allograft survival after biopsy diagnosis of allograft nephropathy was 83%. Serum creatinine was 191+/-97 (86-377) micromol/l at the time of biopsy and 228+/-102 (102-575) micromol/l at last follow-up. The slopes of reciprocal creatinine vs time were used to calculate the decline in renal function and were compared pre- and post-ACEi/ARB. The mean slope+/-SD was -0.06+/-0.21 l/micromol x 10(-3) per month in the 12 months prior to therapy and -0.03+/-0.09 l/micromol x 10(-3) per month following therapy. The absolute difference in slopes was 0.03 (P =<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with ACEi/ARB may be beneficial in the management of allograft nephropathy.     

感染性心内膜炎的肾脏损害

目的分析感染性心内膜炎(IE)致肾脏损害的诊治及预后情况,旨在提高对该类疾病的认识。方法回顾性分析北京协和医院1983年至2004年12月155例IE的临床特点及其中4例的肾组织学表现,以及治疗和预后情况。应用卡方分析、t检验或Spearman等级相关分析方法进行统计分析。结果IE伴肾损害137例(88.4%),男女比1.4:1,发病年龄(38±17)岁,肾损害前病程为(4.8±5.9)月。肾损害表现包括无症状血尿和(或)蛋白尿(71.0%)、急性肾炎综合征(6.5%)、肾病综合征(2.6%)、急进性肾炎综合征(1.3%)、肾栓塞(1.3%)、单纯白细胞尿(3.2%)、非IE直接所致肾损害(2.6%)。急性肾功能不全14例,病因包括肾小球肾炎5例、急性间质性肾炎1例、肾栓塞1例、急性心衰5例、抗生索不良反应2例。肾组织检查4例,分别为弥漫增生性肾小球肾炎、膜性肾病Ⅱ期、膜增生性肾小球肾炎及Ⅱ型新月体肾炎各1例。所有病例均予抗生素治疗,其中3例停用引起肾损害的抗生素;28例(20.4%)予手术治疗;5例(3.6%)予糖皮质激素和/或免疫抑制剂治疗,其中2例予甲基泼尼松龙冲击治疗;1例予抗凝治疗。155例中7例(4.5%)死亡。伴肾损害137例中60例(43.8%)肾损害完全恢复。急性肾功能不全14例中12例(85.7%)血肌酐值恢复正常。统计分析表明,在积极治疗情况下,有无肾损害及不同程度肾损害的IE患者的预后差异无统计学意义。结论IE致肾损害很常见,多为无症状血尿和(或)蛋白尿,肾栓塞、急性肾炎综合征、肾病综合征及急进性肾炎综合征也可出现。对IE所致急进性肾小球肾炎患者,在感染得到有效控制情况下,可酌情给以糖皮质激素、免疫抑制剂包括甲基泼尼松龙冲击治疗。     

Drug-induced acute interstitial nephritis

Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) due to the drugs is caused by allergic reaction and it is presented by acute renal failure, rush, eosinophilia and eosinophiluria. AIN due to NSAID in comparison with AIN caused by other drugs is presented with nephrotic syndrome and acute renal failure. Kidney biopsy is necessary for diagnosis of AIN. The most important and first step in the treatment is the discontinuation of the drug. In severe cases, the corticosteroids are indicated (1 mg/kg of body weight), or intravenous bolus of corticosteroids followed by high-oral dose administration for several weeks. Symptomatic therapy (diet, diuretics) is indicated for all patients, and hemodyalisis is indicated in patients with severe acute renal failure.     

Steroid and cyclophosphamide therapy for IgA nephropathy associated with crescenteric change: an effective treatment

BACKGROUND: IgA nephropathy is the most common form of idiopathic glomerulonephritis. There is no current consensus on treatment for this condition. We report on the effect of immunosuppression with corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide for the treatment of IgA nephropathy associated with crescenteric change. METHODS: The effect of oral prednisolone (0.8 mg/kg initially, reducing to 0.4 mg/kg after 4 weeks) and cyclophosphamide (1.5 mg/kg) given until a plateau of response was obtained was studied in 9 patients with IgA nephropathy associated with severe inflammatory change and crescents. The initial diagnostic renal biopsies of these patients revealed 25-70% of the glomeruli effected with active cellular crescents. When response to therapy, plateaued cyclophosphamide was discontinued and prednisolone reduced from 0.4 mg/kg. Follow-up renal biopsy was performed in 8 of the 9 patients. Patients were maintained on prednisolone (5- 7.5 mg) and azathioprine (1 mg/kg) for further 2 years. RESULTS: The mean time until discontinuation of cyclophosphamide was 17.8 weeks (+/-1.23, range 12-25 weeks). There were no serious complications of therapy. There was an improvement in renal function in all patients with serum creatinine falling from a mean of 149.6+/-16.5, range 81-227 micromol/l to 116.4+/-8.6, range 80-158 micromol/l, p=0.01. Creatinine clearance improved from a mean of 57.1+/-9.9, range 21-104 ml/min to 87.2+/-10.1, range 39-125 ml/min, p=0.004. 24-hour urinary total protein fell over the same time m period from a mean of 4.54+/-1.1, range 1.0-11.27 g to 1.2+/-0.27, range 0.01-2.65 g, p=0.004. There were no significant differences in blood pressure during this time. Repeat renal biopsies showed significant degrees of histological improvement with healing of crescents and a reduction in acute inflammatory change in all except one patient. The mean period of follow-up after cessation of cyclophosphamide was 17.4+/-2.8 months, range 10-36 months. There was no significant change over this period in serum creatinine, creatinine clearance or urinary protein losses. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that IgA nephropathy associated with severe inflammatory and crescenteric change can be effectively and safely treated with a low-cost regime based on oral corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide tailored to a plateau of treatment response in individual patients.     

Histopathologic evaluation of pretransplant biopsy as a factor influencing graft function after kidney transplantation: a 1-year observation

INTRODUCTION: Many factors affect long-term results in kidney transplantation including histologic damage as a independent predictor, such as chronic allograft/nephropathy in protocol biopsies and age-dependent lesions. Histopathologic findings correlate with the incidence of delayed graft function, renal function, and allograft survival, allowing a rather precise prediction of graft outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 92 renal thick needle preimplantation and 29 postexplantation biopsies. Biopsies were preserved in 4% formalin and immersed in paraffin. Optimal biopsies contained at least 10 glomeruli and at least 2 cross-sections of arteries. We analyzed tubulitis, intensity of acute tubular necrosis, inflammatory infiltration, glomerulonephritis, arterial hyalinization, arteritis, fibrosis, tubular atrophy, arterial intimal fibrosis, increase of mesangial matrix, and percentage of glomerulosclerosis. During the postoperative course we analyzed patients condition, exigency of postoperative dialysis, urine output, as well as serum concentrations of creatinine, urea, uric acid, and ions. During a 1-year observation period, we analyzed living recipients, graft loss, death with a functioning graft, incidence of nephropathy (CAN), and acute rejection episodes (ARE). RESULTS: We observed a significant correlation between immediate graft function (IGF) and lack of ATN in the pre-0 biopsy. We observed no correlation between renal function and arterial hyalinization and fibrosis, inflammatory infiltration, tubular atrophy. In the postoperative period, we observed a significant correlation between IGF and lack of interstitial fibrosis with significantly lower levels of creatinine, urea, and potassium and higher urine output early after transplantation. IGF and better function of the right kidney was correlated with shorter time to reach a creatinine level of 2 mg%. In the postoperative periods, we also observed a difference between renal function depending on gender. The presence of acute tubular necrosis, arterial fibrosis, lack of inflammatory infiltration in the pre-0 biopsy correlated with worse late renal function. Among explantation biopsies 65.5% showed signs of CAN, and 37.93%, histologic marks of ARE.     

Étiologies et facteurs pronostiques des néphropathies interstitielles aiguës

IntroductionAcute interstitial nephritis represents a clinically and etiologically heterogeneous group of kidney diseases. The aim of our study was to explore the main causes of biopsy-proven acute interstitial nephritis and to identify predictive factors of renal outcome.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective monocentric study which included patients with biopsy proven AIN, followed in our department during the period between 1980 and 2018. The non-recovery of kidney function or an estimated glomerular filtration rate ˂ 60 mL/min/1.73 m² were considered as a worse renal outcome.ResultsA total of 65 acute interstitial nephritis patients were enrolled. The mean age of patients was 41.3 ± 16 years with a female predominance (78%). Drug-induced etiology was the most common (29%). The most frequent culprit drugs in our study were NSAID followed by antibiotics. The renal prognosis was unfavorable in 21 cases (32%). The independent predictive factors for renal outcome were : a percentage of sclerotic glomeruli greater than 15% (P = 0.004), absence of interstitial edema (P ˂ 0.001), non-use to corticosteroid therapy (P = 0.02) and a delay in initiating corticosteroid therapy greater than 21 days (P = 0.02).ConclusionDrugs currently represent the most common cause of acute interstitial nephritis. The renal prognosis is often favorable, but the progression can be towards chronic renal failure in the event of diagnostic and therapeutic delay. Our data suggest a beneficial influence of steroids on the outcome of acute interstitial nephritis.     

A syndrome of acute interstitial nephritis and anterior uveitis

A syndrome of acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) and anterior uveitis is described in two children and the literature is reviewed. These disorders appear to improve, in uncontrolled studies, with systemic and topical ophthalmic corticosteroid treatment. Although the renal and ocular prognoses appear good, it is important to recotnize that patients with AIN are at risk for uveitis and if present, consultation with an ophthalmologist is recommended.     

The fate of C4d positive kidney allografts lacking histological signs of acute rejection

BACKGROUND: C4d deposits in renal transplants are known to be an independent risk factor of graft failure. The current analysis evaluates the impact of C4d deposits on graft function and survival in renal transplants without morphological signs of rejection. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed diagnostic transplant biopsies performed due to allograft dysfunction from June 1994 to June 2001 at the University Hospital in Basel. STUDY GROUP: Grafts/patients with focal or diffuse positivity of C4d along peritubular capillaries; absence of morphological signs of acute cellular and/or humoral rejection; up to 3 year follow-up analysis post index biopsy. Patients treated with anti-rejection therapy or an increase in maintenance immunosuppression post biopsy (intervention group = IG) were compared to patients with unaltered immunosuppression (standard group = SG). RESULTS: Study group: 22 biopsies/patients out of 400 biopsies (5%) were included into the study, 17 in the SG and 5 in the IG. Patient survival (1-/3-years): SG: 100/94%, IG: 80/80%; graft survival censored for death (1-/3-years): SG: 82.5/68.8%, IG: 100/100%; serum creatinine (micromol/l) at index biopsy/1-year/3-years: SG: 221 +/- 70/231 +/- 103/245 +/- 124, IG: 217 +/- 100/143 +/- 28/177 +/- 55; acute rejection episodes within 1 year post index biopsy: SG: 4 (4 patients), IG: 1 (1 patient); all differences not significant. Lowest serum creatinine within 4 weeks post index biopsy (IG vs. SG): 108 +/- 25 vs. 181 +/- 61, p = 0.02. CONCLUSIONS: C4d positivity in kidney transplants lacking histological evidence of acute rejection is not associated with rapid functional graft deterioration, even in untreated cases. However, anti-rejection therapy results in the improvement of kidney function. Thus, even in grafts with normal histology, the detection of C4d in diagnostic biopsies can be interpreted as a sign of "smoldering" rejection that benefits from therapy.     

Preservation of renal function by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in ischaemic renal disease.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) on preservation of renal function in patients with bilateral renal artery stenoses or stenosis of the artery of one functioning kidney. METHODS: A total of 227 PTRAs of 223 stenoses in 135 patients were performed from 1982 to 1993 in a single centre and retrospectively reviewed. The number of PTRAs per patient was 1.7, range 1-6. Angiographical follow-up was performed in 77%, 120+/-82 days after the first PTRA and 273+/-345 days after the last PTRA. Follow-up of serum creatinine and blood pressure was performed in 85% after 414+/-558 days. Long-term follow-up was performed for dialysis, surgical revascularization, renal transplantation and death, mean follow-up 8.8 years, range 5.5-14.8. RESULTS: The immediate technical success was 90%, and another 5% were improved. The primary patency rate per patient was 43% and the secondary patency rate 64%. Improved renal function was achieved in 23% of the patients, stabilized in 56% and failed in 21%. Stabilized or improved function was higher when baseline serum creatinine was < or =250 micromol/l (85%) than >250 micromol/l (60%). Three of 99 (3%) patients with creatinine < or =250 micromol/l started dialysis during follow-up (41 days, 7.4 and 8 years), as did 13 of 36 (36%) patients with creatinine >250 micromol/l. Blood pressure and the number of antihypertensive drugs decreased in patients with creatinine < or =250 micromol/l, but was unchanged in those with creatinine >250 micromol/l. The 5-year survival rates were 84, 66 and 17% for patients with creatinine <125 micromol/l, 125-250 micromol/l and >250 micromol/l, respectively. Twelve patients (9%) experienced complications, including two deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that PTRA improved or preserved the renal function in most patients with normal to moderately impaired renal function. Close follow-up and possibly re-intervention are necessary to obtain satisfactory clinical and angiographical result.     

Linezolid-induced interstitial nephritis in a kidney-transplant patient

Linezolid is a recent oral antibiotic used in drug-resistant Gram-positive cocci infections. Herein, we report on the first case of linezolid-related acute renal failure in a kidney-transplant patient. A 60-year-old male having autosomic polycystic kidney disease with liver involvement, on cyclosporin A, mycophenolate mofetil and very low dose prednisolone, presented with an Enterococcus faecium abscess of a huge liver cyst, which was treated by percutaneous drainage and linezolid therapy. Eight days after starting linezolid, he presented with acute renal failure, i.e. serum creatinine increased from 136- 221 micromol/l, associated with mild hypereosinophilia, anemia and thrombocytopenia. There was no skin rash, arthralgia, eosinophiluria or proteinuria. The transplant kidney biopsy, performed 15 days after the beginning of linezolid therapy, showed interstitial nephritis and focal tubular atrophy. After linezolid withdrawal and increasing prednisolone daily dose to 20 mg/d, within a few days, serum creatinine had decreased; after 2 and 4 weeks post linezolid withdrawal, his serum creatinine was 166 and 159 micromol/l, respectively. Because of the potential side effects of linezolid, i.e. myelosuppression and possibly nephrotoxicity, we recommend close monitoring of these parameters when linezolid therapy is attempted in kidney transplant patients.     

First Case Report of Acute Myeloid Sarcoma Post Renal Transplant

Background

Although lymphoproliferative disorders are well-described and known entities post renal transplantation, acute myeloid sarcoma is a rare if ever reported occurrence in this setting. Immunosuppressive therapy is thought to be the main culprit in these cases.

Case Report

A 51-year-old man underwent renal transplantation 3.5 years earlier from a living unrelated donor. His posttransplant history was relevant for a road traffic accident after which a rise in the serum creatinine warranted 4 renal biopsies over a period of 7 months. The biopsies showed mainly acute tubular injury with sharp increase of the interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy between the first and the last biopsies. The patient was put on hemodialysis for 7 months, after which the allograft started functioning. The patient was followed a routinely, until he re-presented with increased creatinine and was found to have intra- and perirenal masses. Biopsies revealed acute myeloid sarcoma. The patient was started on fludarabine and cytosine arabinoside followed by All-trans retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide.

Conclusions

The patient was disease free on his last positron emission tomography 1 year after the initial diagnosis.