Peliosis hepatis complicated by portal hypertension following renal transplantation

Peliosis hepatis(PH)is a vascular lesion of the liver that mimics a hepatic tumor.PH is often associated with underlying conditions,such as chronic infection and tumor malignancies,or with the use of anabolic steroids,immunosuppressive drugs,and oral contraceptives.Most patients with PH are asymptomatic,but some present with abdominal distension and pain.In some cases,PH may induce intraperitoneal hemorrhage and portal hypertension.This study analyzed a 46-year-old male who received a transplanted kidney nine years prior and had undergone long-term immunosuppressive therapy following the renal transplantation.The patient experienced progressive abdominal distention and pain in the six months prior to this study.Initially,imaging studies revealed multiple liver tumor-like abnormalities,which were determined to be PH by pathological analysis.Because the hepatic lesions were progressively enlarged,the patient suffered from complications related to portal hypertension,such as intense ascites and esophageal varices bleeding.Although the patient was scheduled to undergo liver transplantation,he suffered hepatic failure and died prior to availability of a donor organ.

Morphological characteristics of spermatozoa before and after renal transplantation

Aim: To investigate the changes of the spermatozoa ultrastructures before and after renal transplantation in uremic patients. Methods: The sperm of five uremic patients before and after transplantation and four healthy volunteers were collected and examined by scanning electron microscopy. Results: Abnormal spermatozoa were found in patients pre-transplantation; abnormalities included deletion of the acrosome, absence of the postacrosomal and postnuclear ring, dumbbell-like changes of the head, tail curling, and absence of the mitochondrial sheath in the mid-segment. After renal transplantation, most of the spermatozoa became normal. Conclusion: There are many abnormalities with regard to the appearance and structure of the head, acrosome, mitochondria and tail of the spermatozoa in uremic patients. The majority of the spermatozoa returned to normal after renal transplantation, but a few still presented some abnormalities possibly relating to the administration of immunosuppressants.

Treatment of advanced rectal cancer after renal transplantation

Renal transplantation is a standard procedure for endstage renal disease today. Due to immunosuppressive drugs and increasing survival time after renal transplantation, patients with transplanted kidneys carry an increased risk of developing malignant tumors. In this case report, 3 patients with advanced rectal cancer after renal transplantation for renal failure were treated with anterior resection or abdominoperineal resection plus total mesorectal excision, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. One patient eventually died of metastasized cancer 31 mo after therapy, although his organ grafts functioned well until his death. The other 2 patients were well during the 8 and 21 mo followup periods after rectal resection. We therefore strongly argue that patients with advanced rectal cancer should receive standard oncology treatment, including operation and adjuvant treatment after renal transplantation. Colorectal cancer screening in such patients appears justified.

Hepatitis B virus infection and renal transplantation

Although the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has declined in renal transplant recipients (RTRs), it remains a relevant clinical problem with high morbidity and mortality in long-term follow up. A thorough evaluation, including liver biopsy as well as assessment of HBV replication in serum (i.e. hepatitis B e antigen and/or HBV DNA) is required before transplantation. Interferon should not be used in this setting because of low efficacy and precipitation on acute allograft rejection. The advent of effective antiviral therapies offers the opportunity to prevent the progression of liver disease after renal transplantation. However, as far as we are aware, no studies have compared prophylactic and preemptive strategies. To date, the majority of RTRs with HBV-related liver disease have had a high virological and biochemical response to lamivudine use. However, lamivudine resistance is frequent with a prolonged course of therapy. Considering long-term treatment, antiviral agents with a high genetic barrier to resistance and lack of nephrotoxicity are suggested. The optimal strategy in RTRs with HBV infection remains to be established in the near future.

Diagnosis and management of ureteral complications following renal transplantation

When compared with maintenance dialysis,renal transplantation affords patients with end-stage renal disease better long-term survival and a better quality of life.Approximately 9% of patients will develop a major urologic complication following kidney transplantation.Ureteral complications are most common and include obstruction(intrinsic and extrinsic),urine leak and vesicoureteral reflux.Ureterovesical anastomotic strictures result from technical error or ureteral ischemia.Balloon dilation or endoureterotomy may be considered for short,low-grade strictures,but open reconstruction is associated with higher success rates.Urine leak usually occurs in the early postoperative period.Nearly 60% of patients can be successfully managed with a pelvic drain and urinary decompression(nephrostomy tube,ureteral stent,and indwelling bladder catheter).Proximal,large-volume,or leaks that persist despite urinary diversion,require open repair.Vesicoureteral reflux is common following transplantation.Patients with recurrent pyelonephritis despite antimicrobial prophylaxis require surgical treatment.Deflux injection may be considered in recipients with low-grade disease.Grade IV and V reflux are best managed with open reconstruction.

The clinical value of enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique monitoring the plasma concentrations of cyclosporine A after renal transplantation

The feasibility and the clinical value of the enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique （EMIT） monitoring of blood concentrations of cyclosporine A （CsA） in patients treated with CsA were investigated after kidney transplantation. The validation method was performed to the EMIT determination of CsA blood concentration, the CsA whole blood trough concentrations （Co） of patients in different time periods after renal transplantation were monitored, and combined with the clinical complications, the statistical results were analyzed and compared. EMIT was precise, accurate and stable, also with a high quality control. The mean postoperative blood concentration of CsA was as follows： 〈1 month, （281.4± 57.9）ng/mL; 2 - 3 months, （264.5 ± 41.2） ng/mL; 4 - 5 months, （236.4 ± 38.9） ng/mL; 6 - 12 months, （206.5± 32.6）ng/mL; 〉12 months, （185.6± 28.1）ng/mL. The toxic reaction rate of CsA blood concentration within the recommended therapeutic concentration was 14.1%, significantly lower than that of the none-recommended dose group （37.2%） （P〈0.05）; the transplantation rejection rate was 4.4%, significantly lower than that of the none- recommended dose group （22.5%） （P〈0.05）. Using EMIT to monitor the blood concentration of CsA as the routine laboratory method is feasible, and is able to reduce the CsA toxicity and rejection significantly, leading to achieving the desired therapeutic effect.

Ultrasound Assessraent of Intima-media Thickness and Diameter of Carotid Arteries in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis or Renal Transplantation

Renal transplant （RT） recipients have a high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. However, the effects of renal transplantation on the development of arteriosclerosis have been controversial. The carotid intima-media thickness （CIMT） and diameter （CD） are important indicators of vascular remodeling and arteriosclerosis. In this study, 31 patients with hemodialysis （HD）, 31 RT recipients and 84 age- and gender-matched control subjects were enrolled. Their CIMT and CD were measured by ultrasonic radiofrequency tracking, and the linear regression models and Z test were used to identify the progression of arteriosclerosis and the risk factors. Compared with HD group, RT group had significantly lower CIMT and CD. CIMT was found to be associated with age, body weight, resistance index and diastolic velocity, while CD was associated significantly with age, body weight, pulsatility index, end diastolic velocity and diastolic blood pressure （DBP）, respectively. The correlation curves between CIMT and age showed the slopes of curves were decreased successively in control, RT and HD groups, and the curves between CD and age showed the slopes were decreased in order of RT 〉 control 〉 HD groups. It was concluded that CIMT and CD were significantly correlated with age in RT and moderately with age in HD patients. RT could reduce the progress of arteriosclerosis in patients with end-stage renal disease.

ABO incompatibility in renal transplantation

ABO blood group incompatibility(ABO-I)was historically considered an absolute contraindication to kidney transplantation due to the significant risk of acute antibody-mediated rejection and early graft loss.Nevertheless,the urge to minimize the gap between the candidates’number on the waitlist for kidney transplants and the available kidney donors encourage investigation into finding ways to use organs from ABO-I kidney donors,especially in the era of using more potent immunosuppression therapies.This review aims to discuss a general overview of ABO-I kidney transplantation and the different protocols adopted by some transplant centers to meaningfully overcome this barrier.

Therapeutic effectiveness of pediatric renal transplantation in 63 cases

Objective： To explore the characteristic of operation, intra-operation treatment and the application of immunosuppressant in pediatric renal transplantation in order to improve therapeutic effectiveness. Methods： From March 1986 to October 2006, the clinical data of 63 children who underwent renal transplantation in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Results： The 1-, 3-, 5-, 10-year graft survival rates were 98.4%, 90.5%, 88.9% and 68.3%, respectively. And the corresponding patient survival rates were 100%, 95.2%, 92.1%, 71.4%. The body weight increased 4 to 12 kg and the body height grew up 2 to 6 cm during the first year post-transplantation. The main complications in the first year post-transplantation were hypertension （26/63, 41.3%）, crinosity （14/63, 22.2%）, drug-induced hepatic injury（11/63, 17.5%）, gingival hyperplasia （10/63, 15.8%）, pulmonary infection（9/63, 14.3%）, bone marrow suppression（5/63, 7.9%）, herpes （4/63, 6.3%） and diabetes （3/63, 4.8%）. Conclusion： Renal transplantation is a preferred method for the treatment of children in end-stage renal disease （ESRD）. Good tissue matching, proper operative time and pattern, peri-operactive care were essential to success, as well as appropriate immuno-suppressant strategy and good compliance.

Treatment of Donor-derived Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Infection after Renal Transplantation with Tigecycline and Extended-infusion Meropenem

Objective Donor-derived carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(CRKP)infection has recently emerged as a critical early complication after renal transplantation.Although CRKP is usually sensitive to tigecycline,monotherapy with this drug is often less than effective.We investigated the efficacy of a combined regimen of tigecycline with high-dose,extended-infusion meropenem in the treatment of donor-derived CRKP infection after kidney transplantation.Methods From Jan.2016 to Dec.2017,a total of 12 CRKP isolates were detected from cultures of the organ preservation solution used for soaking the donor kidneys at our institute.Probable or possible donor-derived infection(DDI)was identified in 8 transplant recipients.Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.Results Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-2(KPC-2)-producing CRKP was reported to be positive in organ preservation solution cultures at 3.5±0.9 days after transplantation,leading to surgical site(n=3),urinary tract(n=4),and/or bloodstream(n=2)infections in 8 recipients.The drug susceptibility tests showed that CRKP was sensitive to tigecycline,but resistant to meropenem.In 7 patients who received tigecycline combined with high-dose extended-infusion meropenem,DDIs were successfully cured.The length of hospital stay was 31(18–129)days,and the serum creatinine at discharge was 105.8±16.7µmol/L.The one remaining patient who received tigecycline combined with intravenous-drip meropenem died of septic shock.A median follow-up of 43 months(33–55)showed no recurrence of new CRKP infection in the 7 surviving recipients.Conclusion It was suggested that a prompt and appropriate combination therapy using tigecycline with high-dose extended-infusion meropenem is effective in treating donor-derived KPC-2-producing CRKP infection after renal transplantation.

Results of cataract surgery in renal transplantation and hemodialysis patients

AIMTo compare the effect of cataract surgery in renal transplantation and hemodialysis patients.METHODSWe evaluated 51 eyes of 31 renal transplantation patients, 41 eyes of 29 hemodialysis patients and 45 eyes of 32 normal control patients who received phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation from January, 2000 to August, 2014 in the Beijing Friendship Hospital. Each individual underwent a blood routine and a kidney function examination. Routine ophthalmologic examination included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), a slit-lamp examination to detect cataract type, determination of intraocular pressure, a corneal endothelial count, and fundus examination. All patients received phacoemulsification and an IOL implantation.RESULTSFor the types of cataract in the three groups, transplantation group was significantly different from normal control group (P=0.04), the most kind is posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC) in transplantation group 33 (64.7%), hemodialysis group had no significantly difference from normal control group (P=0.43), and the difference between transplantation group and hemodialysis group also had significantly difference (P=0.02). For postoperative BCVA in the three groups, transplantation group had significantly difference from normal control group (P=0.03), hemodialysis group was significantly different from normal control group (P=0.00), and the difference between transplantation group and hemodialysis group also had significantly difference (P=0.00). The multiple linear regression equation is Y=0.007 hemoglobin (Hb)-0.000233 serum creatinine (Cr), R2=0.898. Postoperative fundus examination showed that hemorrhage, exudation, and macular degeneration were greater in the hemodialysis group.CONCLUSIONThis study showed that the PSC was more in the renal transplantation patients. BCVA was better and fundus lesions were less frequent in the renal transplantation group than in the hemodialysis group after cataract surgery. The multiple linear regression was showed that the Hb was positively correlated with postoperative BCVA, while Cr was negatively correlated with postoperative BCVA. These results may act as indicators in predicting visual acuity for the renal transplantation and hemodialysis patients.

TWO-YEAR OBSERVATION OF A RANDOMIZED TRIAL ON TACROLIMUS-BASED THERAPY WITH WITHDRAWAL OF STEROIDS OR MYCOPHENOLATE MOFETIL AFTER RENAL TRANSPLANTATION

Objective To evaluate the safety and feasibility of steroid or mycophenolate mofetil （MMF） withdrawal from tacrolimus-based immunosuppressant regimen in renal allograft recipients. Methods A cohort of 45 patients following cadaveric renal allograft transplantation were randomly divided into 3 groups based on the regimen of combination of tacrolimus, steroid, and MMF： triple therapy group, steroid withdrawal group, and MMF withdrawal group. During 2 years, survival of patients and allografts, clinical acute rejection, adverse events, hepatic and renal allograft function, and blood lipids were monitored to evaluate the safety and feasibility of steroid or MMF withdrawal after renal transplantation. Results During two-year observation, steroid or MMF was successfully withdrawn from immunosuppressant regimen based on tacrolimus without any clinical acute rejection renal allografts kept excellent function. Some adverse events among groups. Patient and graft survival rates were 100% and all the occurred and there were no significant differences Conclusion Withdrawal of steroid or MMF in low-immunological-risk renal allografts treated with tacrolimus-based immunosuppressant regimen can be achieved with no increased risk of acute rejection.

Dynamic regulation of anti-oxidation following donation repairing after circulatory determined death renal transplantation with prolonged non-heart-beating time

Donation after circulatory-determined death(DCD)is an important part of renal transplantation.Therefore,DCD renal transplantation animal model should be established to study the mechanism of organ injury.Here,we established a stable DCD rat renal transplantation model and investigated the dynamic regulation of graft self-repairing and antioxidant capacities with different non-heart-beating times(NHBTs).Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups with the NHBT of the donors from 0 to 15,30,and 45 minutes.Recipients in long NHBT groups had a significantly lower survival rate and poorer graft function than those in short NHBT groups.Grafts from the 15-minute and 30-minute NHBT groups showed light and severe injury respectively at an early stage after transplantation and recovered within 7 days after transplantation,whereas the self-repairing of the grafts in the 45-minute NHBT group was delayed.The expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)and von Willebrand factor(vWF)were dependent on NHBT.The expression of antioxidant proteins paralleled graft recovery.In conclusion,the recipients can up-regulate antioxidant capacity to enhance graft self-repairing in DCD renal transplantation.Prolonged NHBT can delay the self-repairing and antioxidation of grafts.

Idiopathic acute superior mesenteric venous thrombosis after renal transplantation: A case report

BACKGROUND Acute superior mesenteric venous thrombosis(MVT)is a rare condition associated with a high mortality rate.The treatment strategy for MVT is clinically challenging due to its insidious onset and rapid development,especially when accompanied by kidney transplantation.CASE SUMMARY Here we present a rare case of acute MVT developed 3 years after renal transplantation.A 49-year-old patient was admitted with acute abdominal pain and diagnosed as MVT with intestinal necrosis.An emergency exploratory laparotomy was performed to remove the infarcted segment of the bowel.Immediate systemic anticoagulation was also initiated.During the treatment,the patient experienced bleeding,anastomotic leakage,and sepsis.However,after aggressive treatment was administered,all thrombi were completely resolved,and the patient recovered with his renal graft function unimpaired.CONCLUSION The present case suggests that accurate diagnosis and timely surgical treatment are important to improve the survival rate of MVT patients.Bleeding with anastomotic fistula needs to be treated with caution because of grafts.Also,previously published cases of mesenteric thrombosis after renal transplantation were reviewed.

Coronavirus disease 2019 and renal transplantation

Ever since the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus causing coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)struck the world,global health strategies have changed significantly.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,kidney transplant recipients are stratified as being high risk of developing fatal illness from COVID-19 infection.Kidney transplant is the gold-standard treatment for end-stage kidney disease subjects.During the pandemic,significant concerns have emerged regarding continuation of kidney transplant surgeries and management of kidney transplant recipients post-transplant.The added risk of immunosuppression in this cohort was and remains a theoretical concern,posing a potential risk of transplantation rather than benefit.This comprehensive review aims to cover most of the faced challenges in kidney transplantation in different stages of the pandemic.In addition,it will elucidate the epidemiology,nature,course of the disease,surgical consideration in donors and recipients as well as role of immunosuppression and management of COVID-19 infected kidney transplant recipients during these extraordinary circumstances.

Intravenous prograf in maintenance treatment of intestinal obstruction complicated with hepatic function injury after renal transplantation: a case report

For renal transplant recipients, intestinal obstruction caused by incisional hernia is a rarely encountered event. Until now, there is no specific literature concerning the adjustment of immunosuppressants under such clinical condition. We present such a case who received a successful long-term single intravenous prograf administration to transitionally maintain the immunosuppression.

Complicated Tumor Lysis Syndrome after CWH Treatment in a Renal Transplantation Patient: One Case Report and Literature Review

IntroductionTumor lysis syndrome （TLS） is a potentially lethal emergency caused by lysed tumor cells, and it frequently occurs in tumors of hematologic origin. Up until now, there has been only one known report published overseas about TLS resulting from post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder （PTLD）. In 2008, a PTLD patient who had previously undergone renal transplantation was treated in the renal transplantation center of our hospital, and TLS occurred during treatment for PTLD. At the time, no further literature regarding the treatment of post-transplant renal inadequacy complicating TLS was available. So, continuous veno-venous hemofiltration （CVVH） was used to effectively control the progression of TLS. In this article, the experiences gained from our management of this complex case and our analysis, supported by relevant literature, are described.

Microbiota,renal disease and renal transplantation

Aim of this frontier review has been to highlight the role of microbiota in healthy subjects and in patients affected by renal diseases with particular reference to renal transplantation.The microbiota has a relevant role in conditioning the healthy status and the diseases.In particular gut microbiota is essential in the metabolism of food and has a relevant role for its relationship with the immune system.The indigenous microbiota in patients with chronic renal failure is completely different than that of the healthy subjects and pathobionts appear.This abnormality in microbiota composition is called dysbiosis and may cause a rapid deterioration of the renal function both for activating the immune system and producing large quantity of uremic toxins.Similarly,after renal transplantation the microbiota changes with the appearance of pathobionts,principally in the first period because of the assumption of immunosuppressive drugs and antibiotics.These changes may deeply interfere with the graft outcome causing acute rejection,renal infections,diarrhea,and renal interstitial fibrosis.In addition,change in the microbiota may modify the metabolism of immunosuppressive drugs causing in some patients the need of modifying the immunosuppressant dosing.The restoration of the indigenous microbiota after transplantation is important,either to avoiding the complications that impair the normal renal graft,and because recent studies have documented the role of an indigenous microbiota in inducing tolerance towards the graft.The use of prebiotics,probiotics,smart bacteria and diet modification may restore the indigenous microbiota,but these studies are just at their beginning and more data are needed to draw definitive conclusions.

The imbalance of helper T lymphocytes and cytotoxic T lymphocytes in acute renal transplantation rejection

To investigate the imbalance state of helper T lymphocytes （Th） and cytotoxic T lymphocytes （Tc） and the roles of Thl/Th2/Th3 and Tcl/Tc2 cells in renal transplantation rejection, the percentages of these cells in peripheral blood of 24 cases of renal transplantation recipients with acute rejection and the dynamic changes of the CD4/CD8 ratio were determined by flow cytometry analysis, while 30 cases of healthy individuals were set up as controls. In these healthy controls, the percentages of the Thl, Th2 and Th3 cells were （ 10.45 ± 8.15） %, （5.05 ± 4.15） % and （3.90 ± 3.21 ） %, and those of Tcl and %2 cells were （9.83 ± 7.03） % and （4.51 ± 2.17） %, respectively. However, the percentages of Thl and Tcl cells in peripheral blood of the stable recipients after transplantation were （7.29 ± 5.62） % and （7.04 ± 5.15）%, showing definite reduction, while those of Th2, Th3 and Tc2 cells showed significant increase, （ 6.34 ± 5.67） %, （4.94 ± 4.14） % and （ 6.86 ± 4.42） %, respectively. In case of recipients with acute rejection, the percentages of Thl and Tcl cells appeared to be （ 18.55 ± 13.21 ） % and （ 15.84 ± 11.72） %, also showing significant increase, but those of Th2, Th3 and %2 cells appeared to be reduced, （4.19 ± 3.62） %, （3.02 ± 2.83 ） % and （3.88 ± 1.63） %, respectively. Significant differences could be detected among these three groups （ P 〈 0.05）. The CD4/CD8 ratio in cases with acute rejection was higher than those of stable recipients （2.24 ± 0.59 vs 1.95 ± 0.45）, but that of the stable recipients and healthy controls （ 1.98 ± 0.31 ） showed no any significant difference. From the above observation, it is evident that imbalance between Thl, Th2 and Th3 with Tcl and Tc2 cells may exist after renal transplantation and probably, the im- mune imbalance may be induced through the secretion of cytokines INF-γby Thl or Tcl cells , Ⅱ-4 by Th2 and Tc2 cells and TGF-β by Th3.

Medical nutritional therapy for renal transplantation in the COVID-19 pandemic

Nutritional therapy is very important at renal transplantation.Nutrition has become more vital for transplantation patients owing to the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic.Inadequate nutrition can negatively affect the immune system.For this reason,adequate protein and energy intake should be provided to the patients.Also,overconsumption of saturated fat,sugar,and refined carbohydrates can both negatively affect the immune system and trigger chronic diseases in transplantation patients.In addition,vitamins and minerals should be monitored and inadequacy should be prevented due to immunomodulatory effects.Applying nutritional therapy suitable for the symptoms of renal transplantation patients and preventing comorbidities may reduce the risk and severity of COVID-19 infection.