Acquired Acrodermatitis Enteropathica Syndrome in a Kidney Transplant Recipient: A Case Report

Acrodermatitis enteropathica syndrome (AE) is a clinical entity that results in severe zinc deficiency. It can be genetic or acquired. Acquired AE has been reported in patients with chronic liver disease, malabsorption syndrome, sickle cell anemia, and chronic renal failure. We present a kidney transplant recipient with skin rash and watery diarrhea. The patient had low serum zinc levels, which quickly resolved after zinc supplementation. Skin biopsy showed cytoplasmic pallor and vacuolization and ballooning degeneration of keratinocytes within the superficial epidermis, which may have led to confluent necrosis of keratinocytes. Large amounts of keratinosome-derived lamellae were found in the intercellular spaces in the keratinized area, probably related to disturbance of keratinosome metabolism due to zinc deficiency.     

Acute Rejection of a Kidney Transplant in a Patient With Common Variable Immunodeficiency: A Case Report

Common variable immunodeficiency is a primary immunodeficiency characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia and recurrent bacterial infections. We report a case of a 44-year-old male patient with end-stage renal disease and an established diagnosis of common variable immunodeficiency who underwent a living unrelated kidney transplant. He remained nearly infection free on maintenance immunoglobulin replacement. However, his posttransplant course was complicated by acute rejection that ultimately led to allograft loss. This case illustrates the challenge of transplantation in this patient population because of the delicate balance that must be achieved between maintaining adequate immunosuppression and minimizing the risk of infection.     

Piperacillin-induced Thrombocytopenia in a Dual Heart and Kidney Transplant Patient: A Case Report

Background

The present study reports a case of piperacillin-induced thrombocytopenia in a dual heart and kidney transplant patient on January 28, 2016 (taking mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus). Before the transplant, the patient was treated with Zosyn twice, with no reports of thrombocytopenia or allergy. However, he was diagnosed with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and vancomycin allergy during each of those hospitalizations, respectively. Eight months after the transplant, the patient presented with infectious symptoms and was started on Zosyn.

Successful Treatment of Cutaneous Blastomycosis in a Renal Transplant Patient With BK Virus Infection: A Case Report

This is the first case report from Turkey to describe a renal transplant complicated by subcutaneous blastomycosis and BK infection. The cutaneous lesions were successfully treated with amphotericin B and fluconazole. The presence of BK infection led to graft failure. Infections with uncommonly seen organisms should be kept in mind due to the impaired T-cell immunity in transplantation.     

Thin Glomerular Basement Membrane in a Kidney Transplant of an Alport's Syndrome Patient: A Case Report

Alport syndrome (AS) and thin basement membrane lesions are caused by various mutations in type IV collagen genes. Although AS is considered a rare disease, thin basement membrane is a frequent pattern, especially in families with a history of persistent hematuria. We report a patient with a diagnosis of AS who developed end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and received a kidney transplant from a living unrelated donor. The graft biopsy specimen surprisingly showed a pattern of thin basement membranes.     

Variations in outcomes of hemodialysis vascular access by race/ethnicity in the elderly

Objective

Prevalence of end-stage renal disease, modality of treatment, and type of hemodialysis vascular access used varies widely by race/ethnicity in the United States, but outcomes of hemodialysis vascular access by race/ethnicity are poorly described. The objective of this study is to evaluate variations in outcomes of hemodialysis vascular access in the elderly by race/ethnicity.

First Treatment of Relapsing Rapidly Progressive IgA Nephropathy With Eculizumab After Living Kidney Donation: A Case Report

Background

IgA nephropathy (IGAN) rarely can present as a crescent and progressive form leading to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in a short period of time. Recurrence of IGAN after kidney transplantation is frequent, and complement components such as C3, C4d, and C5 seem to be involved. We present a case of a young male patient with ESRD caused by rapidly progressive IGAN and who demonstrated rapid recurrence of crescentic IGAN after kidney donation.

Therapeutic Problems and Pregnancy in a Patient With Infantile Nephropathic Cystinosis: A Case Report

Background

Cystinosis is a rare genetic disorder characterized by the abnormal accumulation of cystine in the lysosomes of various tissues and organs leading to their dysfunction. The most common type is the infantile nephropathic cystinosis which without treatment leads to renal failure and before the introduction of cysteamine was the cause of death before puberty.

Eculizumab and Belatacept for De Novo Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Associated With CFHR3-CFHR1 Deletion in a Kidney Transplant Recipient: A Case Report

Background

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and occurs due to genetic or acquired abnormalities that result in the dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway.

Effective Treatment With Daclatasvir and Asunaprevir in Kidney Transplant Patients Infected With Hepatitis C Virus: A Report of Two Cases

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is known to affect long-term patient and graft survivals after kidney transplantation (KT). Recently, combination therapy with the use of 2 oral direct-acting antivirals, daclatasvir (DCV) and asunaprevir (ASV) reportedly showed a high rate of HCV eradication. We report the safety and efficacy of DCV and ASV therapy in 2 KT patients.

Orthotopic Kidney Transplantation in an Elderly Patient With Various Severe Comorbid Conditions: A Case Report

In recent years, the frequency of high-risk kidney transplantations has increased. We report a case in which a 72-year-old man with various severe comorbidities (prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, complete atrioventricular block, coronary artery stenosis, severe stenosis of the popliteal arteries, and severe calcification of the iliac arteries) who received an orthotopic kidney transplantation. To prevent the occurrence of acute limb ischemia due to the steal phenomenon (caused by the kidney graft), we decided that a heterotopic kidney transplantation involving the iliac arteries was not an appropriate option. Therefore, as an alternative, left native nephrectomy was performed followed by an orthotopic kidney transplantation to the native renal artery and renal vein through a left subcostal incision. Postoperative ureteral stenosis occurred, and so stent exchange was required every 6 months. Despite the ureteral complication, the patient's serum creatinine level was 1.5 mg/dL at 2 years after the procedure.     

Gastrointestinal Mucormycosis After Orthotopic Liver Transplantation Presenting as Femoral Nerve Palsy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Mucormycosis has emerged as a major threat to transplant recipients with high morbidity and mortality. This infection most commonly presents with rhino-sino-orbital localization. Gastrointestinal mucormycosis is uncommon, with presenting symptoms usually abdominal in nature. Here, we describe the case of a liver transplant recipient who developed gastrointestinal mucormycosis with an initial manifestation of femoral nerve palsy, ultimately resulting in fungal dissemination and patient demise. This case highlights the challenges in making a timely diagnosis of mucormycosis, particularly in immunocompromised patients.     

Trichoblastoma Cutis in a Renal Transplant Recipient: A Case Report

Trichoblastoma is rare, benign skin neoplasm that may be difficult to distinguish from malignant baso-cellular skin cancer. Renal transplant recipients are at increased risk for development of skin malignancies. Resection and histopathological evaluation of a suspicious lesion is mandatory to determine malignant skin changes. We present the first reported case of trichoblastoma in a renal transplant recipient. Proper diagnosis enables less aggressive resection and maintenance of the same immunosuppressive protocol.     

Long-term Clinical Outcomes of First and Second Kidney Transplantation in Patients With Biopsy-Proven IgA Nephropathy

Introduction

The recurrence of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) after kidney transplantation (KT) has an effect on graft survival, but there are few reports about long-term clinical outcomes of KT with recurrent IgAN. This study shows the long-term clinical outcomes of KT in patients with IgAN.

Antibody-Mediated Rejection in a Multiple Lung Transplant Patient: A Case Report

Lung transplant is an effective way to treat many end-stage lung diseases. However, one of the main barriers of allograft organ transplant is still the immunologic rejection of transplanted tissue, which is a response of the HLA molecules. Rejection is a complex process involving both T-cell–mediated delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions and antibody-mediated hypersensitivity reactions to histocompatibility molecules on foreign grafts. We report the case of a 25-year-old female patient with cystic fibrosis who underwent 2 lung transplants because of her initial diagnosis and appearance of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after the first transplant. Only 13 months after the second transplant, despite the therapies applied, a new rejection occurred associated with high mean fluorescent intensity donor-specific antibody levels, which resulted later in the death of the patient. The present case draws attention to the importance of matching HLA molecules between donor and recipient in addition to immunosuppressive therapy.     

Acute Kidney Injury Secondary to Hypercalcemia in a Kidney Transplant Patient With Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia: A Case Report

Background

Persistent hyperparathyroidism is one of the main causes of hypercalcemia following kidney transplantation; differential diagnosis is required.

Severe Hyperkalemia Complicating Voriconazole Treatment in a Kidney Transplant Recipient With Histoplasmosis: A Case Report

Voriconazole is an antifungal agent that is commonly used in immunocompromised patients who develop fungal infections. We report a case of severe recurrent hyperkalemia that developed after starting voriconazole for the treatment of histoplasmosis in a kidney transplant patient who was maintained on tacrolimus-based immunosuppression. Hyperkalemia developed despite reducing the tacrolimus dose to maintain levels in a low therapeutic range. Although interactions between azoles and calcineurin inhibitors are widely recognized, this is the 1st report describing new-onset hyperkalemia following initiation of voriconazole in a kidney transplant patient receiving tacrolimus.