Antibody‐mediated rejection in pediatric small bowel transplantation: Capillaritis is a major determinant of C4d positivity in intestinal transplant biopsies

The diagnostic criteria for antibody‐mediated rejection (ABMR) after small bowel transplantation (SBT) are not clearly defined, although the presence of donor‐specific antibodies (DSAs) has been reported to be deleterious for graft survival. We aimed to determine the incidence and prognostic value of DSAs and C4d in pediatric SBT and to identify the histopathologic features associated with C4d positivity. We studied all intestinal biopsies (IBx) obtained in the first year posttransplantation (N = 345) in a prospective cohort of 23 children. DSAs and their capacity to fix C1q were identified by using Luminex technology. Eighteen patients (78%) had DSAs, and 9 had the capacity to fix C1q. Seventy‐eight IBx (22.6%) were C4d positive. The independent determinants of C4d positivity were capillaritis grades 2 and 3 (odds ratio [OR] 4.02, P = .047 and OR 5.17, P = .003, respectively), mucosal erosion/ulceration (OR 2.8, P = .019), lamina propria inflammation grades 1 and 2/3 (OR 1.95, P = .043 and OR 3.1, P = .016, respectively), and chorion edema (OR 2.16, P = .028). Complement‐fixing DSAs and repeated C4d‐positive IBx were associated with poor outcome (P = .021 and P = .001, respectively). Our results support that capillaritis should be considered as a feature of ABMR in SBT and identify C1q‐fixing DSAs and repeated C4d positivity as potential markers of poor outcome.     

Adult congenital heart disease

Continued advances in the understanding and management of congenital heart disease (CHD) mean that over 90% of children born with CHD now survive to adulthood. This in turn results in greater numbers of adult patients presenting for medical and surgical care at non-specialist centres. A simple classification of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) according to complexity can help clinicians to understand the implications of the specific cardiac anomaly encountered. Issues relating to the conduct of anaesthesia in ACHD patient include careful attention to euvolaemia, the preservation of sinus rhythm and cardiac output, and in complex patients, manipulating the balance between systemic and pulmonary blood flows. Additionally, effective antibiotic prophylaxis and the prevention of either excessive bleeding or thromboembolism are vitally important. It should not be forgotten that although many patients with simple or repaired cardiac lesions may be very well managed in a non-specialist unit, those with Eisenmenger’s syndrome or severe pulmonary hypertension have an extremely high risk of death in the perioperative period, and in all but life-threatening situations should always be managed within specialist centres.     

Early diagnosis of septic arthritis in immunocompromised patients

Objectives

Septic arthritis results in rapid joint destruction if not properly diagnosed and treated. A work up for septic arthritis includes a peripheral white blood cell count, inflammatory markers, and a joint aspiration. In the general population, the interpretation of these labs has been well-defined by prior studies. To this point, no study has determined how immunosuppressive states affect this work up.

The Visual Aura Rating Scale (VARS) for migraine aura diagnosis

To supplement the traditional ICHD-2 diagnosis for migraine with aura (MA) we developed a diagnostic scale for migraine aura that quantifies the importance of the cardinal characteristics of MA. Since more than 99% of MA patients have visual aura, we developed for simplicity a Visual Aura Rating Scale (VARS). In total 427 patients with MA (ICHD-2) or nonaura visual disturbances were diagnosed in a validated semistructured interview by a trained physician. The patients were separated into a derivation sample and a validation sample. By regression analysis we identified the visual aura characteristics associated with MA in the derivation sample. Based on the identified characteristics we developed VARS and derived a predictive VARS score which was tested in the validation sample. The VARS score is the weighted sum of the presence of five visual symptom characteristics: duration 5-60 min (3 points), develops gradually > or = 5 min (2 points), scotoma (2 points), zig-zag lines (2 points), and unilateral (1 point). The maximum score is 10 points. A VARS score of 5 or more diagnosed MA with a sensitivity of 96% (95% CI 92-99%) and a specificity of 98%(95% CI 95-100%) in the derivation sample, and a sensitivity of 91% (95% CI 86-95%) and a specificity of 96% (95% CI 91-100%) in the validation sample. VARS adds evidence based weights to a number of clearly specified characteristics; it is easy to learn, apply and teach and may therefore be a valuable addition to traditional ICHD-2 diagnosis.     

便秘病人的护理

It reviewed the classification, causes, and nursing care of patients with constipation.