Does cyclosporine have a beneficial effect on the course of chronic hepatitis C infection after renal transplantation?

The aim of our study was to assess the long-term liver histology in renal transplant patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) who were treated with a cyclosporine-based regimen. Among 55 anti-HCV+/RNA+ patients, liver biopsies (LB) were requested every 3 to 4 years after transplantation: two LBs (n=55); three LBs (n=44); four LBs (n=10). Overall, the rate of liver fibrosis progression was 0.07+/-0.03 Metavir U/y. Only three patients out of 55 (5.4%) developed cirrhosis. Liver fibrosis remained stable throughout follow-up in 21 patients; increased in 21 patients; and improved in the remaining 13 patients. The incidence of posttransplant diabetes mellitus was low (9%). We concluded that HCV infection is not harmful to liver histology in more than 50% of renal transplant patients with grafts functioning more than 6 years. Cyclosporine might have beneficial effects on the natural course of HCV infection after renal transplantation.     

Monitoring HCMV infection with quantitative real-time PCR in HCMV-positive orthotopic liver transplant recipients, and predictive factors for treatment of the first episode of HCMV viremia

We evaluated the relevance of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) monitoring with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in 42 consecutive HCMV positive liver transplant patients, and we analyzed the factors that determined the treatment of the first episode of HCMV DNAemia. No patients received anti-HCMV prophylaxis. HCMV infection monitoring was assessed every 2 weeks until day 90 and thereafter at every 3 to 4 weeks until day 180. HCMV infection was detected among 27 patients (64%, ie, 92/380 samples). Of these, 12 had their first HCMV DNAemia treated with IV gancyclovir (group I), whereas the other 15 patients were not treated (group II). Immunosuppressive treatment was not modified in cases of HCMV DNAemia. The median time between transplantation to the first CMV DNAemia was 37 days in group I and 52 days in group II (NS). Median HCMV viral load, whatever the treatment group and whatever the time of DNAemia, was 3 log copies/mL (0.48 to 5.80). Median HCMV viral load of the first positive DNAemia was 3.45 log copies/mL (1.69 to 5.80) in group I and 2.70 log copies/mL (1.15 to 3.94) in group II (P = .01). Even though liver enzymes were increased in almost all patients presenting with HCMV infection, comparison of liver-enzyme levels and hematological parameters between the two groups at first HCMV viremia showed that alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly higher (P = .0011) and hemoglobin levels were significantly lower in group I patients (P = .0443). The only factor that predicted treatment for the first episode of HCMV DNAemia was an alkaline phosphatase level >150 UI/mL at the time of the first HCMV reactivation [odds ratio 20 (1.96 to 203.3); P = .01].     

Rituximab therapy for mixed cryoglobulinemia in seven renal transplant patients

Systemic B-cell depletion and clinical remission of the systemic effects of cryoglobulins have been achieved in hepatitis C virus-positive immunocompetent patients with rituximab, a human/mouse chimeric monoclonal antibody that specifically reacts with the CD20 antigen. Thus, this provides a rationale for the use of rituximab for type III cryoglobulin-related graft dysfunction in renal-transplant patients. Seven patients, of whom five were hepatitis C positive, developed renal function impairment long after transplantation, as well as de novo nephrotic syndrome (n = 5), severe hypertension (n = 5), nephritic syndrome (n = 1), and increased serum creatinine (n = 1). This type III cryoglobulinemia was associated with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and with thrombi within the glomeruli in one case. In addition to their baseline standard immunosuppressive medications, the patients were given weekly rituximab infusions: 375 mg/m(2) for 2 weeks in four cases, for 3 weeks in one case, and for 4 weeks in two cases. This treatment resulted in a dramatic improvement in all renal parameters, particularly a sustained remission of nephrotic syndrome in three cases, the disappearance of nephritic syndrome in one patient, and improved nephrotic syndrome in two cases, as well as a sustained clearance of cryoglobulins in six cases. However, it also resulted in severe infectious complications in two cases. We concluded that rituximab therapy is effective in cryoglobulin-related renal dysfunction in renal transplant patients but, due to chronic immunosuppression, this may be achieved at the expense of infectious complications.     

Zur Prognose der akuten diffusen Glomerulonephritis im Kindesalter

Zusammenfassung Verfasser behandelten in ihrer Abteilung vom 5. 4. 1954 bis 31. 12. 1962 172 an akuter diffuser Glomerulonephritis leidende Patienten 199mal. 135 Patienten wurden zur Kontrolluntersuchung einbestellt. Davon untersuchten sie 122, das Schicksal von 11 Kindern ist ihnen bekannt, diese sind gesund.Von 122 Kindern waren 91 geheilt (74,95%), bei 29 fanden sie pathologische Befunde, bei 2 Kindern subakute Nephritis. Exitus kam weder während der stationären Behandlung noch später vor. Man kann annehmen, daß der Zustand während des Krankenhausaufenthaltes, besonders der extrem hohe Blutdruck, einen Einfluß auf die Prognose hat.     

Viral infections after kidney transplantation

Chronic immunosuppression, required to maintain allograft function postorgan transplant, predisposes transplant patients to a variety of viral infections. These can occur at every stage of post-transplantation. Some infections, however, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein Barr virus (EBV), or BK virus (BKV), tend to occur within months after transplantation. CMV infections can be easily prevented by prophylaxis therapy whereas EVB or BKV infections can be prevented by lowering (when possible) immunosuppression. Some viral infections can result in posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (EBV), Kaposi sarcoma (human herpes simplex virus type 8), or skin and/or cervical cancers (papillomavirus). Other viral infections, such as those due to influenza or para influenzae viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, or West nile fever virus, are mostly acquired through environmental spread. Thanks to modern laboratory technique, and a formidable antiviral armamentarium, viral infections in organ transplant patients i) can be easily detected at early stages, and ii) can be efficiently treated.     

Orbital subperiotal hematoma associated with extradural hematoma: one case report

Subperiotal hematoma of the orbit associated with extradural hematoma has been rarely reported in the literature. We report a case of an 8-year-old girl who presented after traumatism, a subperiotal hematoma of the orbit with two extradural hematomas. During the first clinical examination realized while the patient was unconscious, left exophthalmia was found, but after conscious improvement, we discovered ophtalmoplegia and a grade I papilla edema. The CT scan showed two extradural hematomas and a left intraorbital hematoma. The intraorbital hematoma was drained by surgical way but the extradural hematomas were not surgical. The outcome has been marked by the neurological improvement and the oculomotricity recovering.