Experience with direct acting anti-viral agents for treating hepatitis C virus infection in renal transplant recipients

In recent past, direct-acting anti-viral drugs (DAAs) have become the standard of care for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, the experience with the use of these drugs in Indian renal transplant recipients is limited. We retrospectively reviewed our experience with DAA-based treatment for HCV infection in such patients. Between April 2015 and December 2016, six adults (median age 41 [range 34–52] years, male 5; GT1 2, GT3 3, and GT4 1; including three with prior failed interferon-based treatment) had received genotype-guided, DAA-based anti-HCV treatment 1 to 158 (median 15) months after renal transplantation. Of them, four completed the planned 24-week treatment without any significant adverse event. One of them had increase in serum creatinine after 16 weeks of treatment with sofosbuvir and daclatasvir, with acute interstitial nephritis on kidney biopsy; his renal function improved on stopping the drugs. The other patient had preexisting mild renal dysfunction, which worsened after 8 weeks of sofosbuvir-ledipasvir treatment; this did not reverse on stopping treatment. All the six patients achieved undetectable HCV RNA after 4 weeks of treatment and also achieved sustained virologic response, i.e. lack of detectable HCV RNA in serum 12 weeks after stopping treatment. Overall, DAA-based treatment was effective in treating HCV infection in our renal transplant recipients; however, caution and monitoring of renal function during such treatment is advisable in patients who have additional factors that predispose to renal injury.     

Cannon‐ball bladder stones: a complication of prolonged recumbence and benign prostate enlargement

Chronically bedridden patients are predisposed to various urological complications such as urinary infections, incomplete urinary bladder emptying after voiding and stone formation in the urinary tract, more so in the absence of good nursing care. Multiple giant bladder stones giving rise to ‘cannon ball’ appearance have rarely been reported. We present the case of an 85‐year‐old frail gentleman who was bedridden for the last 25 years and presented with haematuria. On evaluation he was found to have multiple large bladder stones and bladder diverticuli with enlarged prostate gland. This case highlights a relatively rare urological complication of prolonged recumbency, and emphasizes the importance of proper nursing care, early detection, management and prevention of such complications.     

Gossypiboma mimicking posterior urethral stricture

INTRODUCTIONForeign bodies in the urogenital tract are not uncommon. Hairpins, glass rods, umbilical tapes, ball point pen are described in lower urogenital tract. Retained gauze piece (gossypiboma) in posterior urethra may cause diagnostic dilemma. Symptoms and investigations may mimic stricture of posterior urethra.PRESENTATION OF CASETwo cases of retained gauze pieces in the urethra are described here. The micturating cystourethrogram was suggestive of posterior urethral stricture.DISCUSSIONTwo cases described here had retained gauze piece as a cause of filling defect and abnormal appearance in the micturating cystourethrogram. Gossypiboma may be a possibility where posterior urethral stricture are seen after previous surgery in paediatric age group.CONCLUSIONIn the setting of previous urogenital surgery gossypiboma should be kept in the differential diagnosis where posterior urethral stricture are seen in the paediatric age group.