Dynamic Renal Scintigraphy in Diagnosis of Upper Urinary Tract Obstruction in Transplanted Kidney

Nuclide renal dynamic imaging was performed on 88 transplanted kidney. Two kinds of renal scintigraphic characteristics were identified in recipients with supravesical obstruction of the graft. First, the regular type was characterized by radioactivity defect area in kidney parenchyma during early uptake period followed by ureteropelvic retention. Second, the tubular type was typified by cortical retention and attenuation in collecting system during the whole test period with a special sign of “hollow kidney”. Non obstructive dilated calyces showed similar signs as the regular type. Acute rejection reaction and tubule necrosis demonstrated obstructive time activity curves. However, the radioactivity retention appeared in cortex. It was suggested that dilated calyces and obstructive renogram might not be reliable evidence for upper urinary tract obstruction. The signs of radioactivity attenuation in kidney parenchyma during early uptake period followed by ureteropelvic retention may be more valuable for the evaluation. As for tubular obstruction, specified “hollow kidney” was the characteristic sign which is helpful for the diagnosis.

Combined use of retroperitoneal laparoscopy and bladder resectoscope to treat renal and ureteral tumor occurring at the same side of transplanted kidney (report of 5 cases)

To evaluate the operative characteristics and efficacy of retroperitoneoscopic resection of renal,ureter and partial bladder for the treatment of native renal pelvic and ureteral transitional cell cancer occurring at the same side of transplanted kidney.Methods In 5 cases of renal transplantation,there were 2 cases of right native renal pelvic cancer,1 case of right native renal pelvic and ureter cancer and 2 cases of right ureter cancer respectively.The transplanted kidney was in the same iliac fossa side of the tumor.All 5 patients were subjected to nephroureterectomy and bladder cuff excision by retroperitoneoscopic technique.Results Five operations were completed successfully.The operative time was 180 to 280 min,and the blood loss was 50 to 200 ml.The recovery of intestinal function after operation was 12 to 36 h.The urine output was 1 500 to 4 000 per day.Postoperative serum creatinine was still normal.The mean hospital stay after operation was 4.5 days.Conclusion Retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephroureterectomy and bladder cuff excision is a good method to treat the native renal pelvic and ureteral transitional cell cancer occurring at the same side of transplanted kidney.The procedure is safe and less invasive,which provides a good protection of transplanted kidney.12 refs.

Treatment options for localised renal cell carcinoma of the transplanted kidney

Currently,there is no consensus among the transplant community about the treatment of renal cell carcinoma(RCC)of the transplanted kidney.Until recently,graftectomy was universally considered the golden standard,regardless of the characteristics of the neoplasm.Due to the encouraging results observed in native kidneys,conservative options such as nephron-sparing surgery(NSS)(enucleation and partial nephrectomy)and ablative therapy(radiofrequency ablation,cryoablation,microwave ablation,high-intensity focused ultrasound,and irreversible electroporation)have been progressively used in carefully selected recipients with early-stage allograft RCC.Available reports show excellent patient survival,optimal oncological outcome,and preserved renal function with acceptable complication rates.Nevertheless,the rarity and the heterogeneity of the disease,the number of options available,and the lack of long-term follow-up data do not allow to adequately define treatment-specific advantages and limitations.The role of active surveillance and immunosuppression management remain also debated.In order to offer a better insight into this difficult topic and to help clinicians choose the best therapy for their patients,we performed and extensive review of the literature.We focused on epidemiology,clinical presentation,diagnostic work up,staging strategies,tumour characteristics,treatment modalities,and follow-up protocols.Our research confirms that both NSS and focal ablation represent a valuable alternative to graftectomy for kidney transplant recipients with American Joint Committee on Cancer stage T1aN0M0 RCC.Data on T1bN0M0 lesions are scarce but suggest extra caution.Properly designed multi-centre prospective clinical trials are warranted.

Transplanted kidney loss during colorectal cancer chemotherapy:A case report

BACKGROUND The overall risk of de novo malignancies in kidney transplant recipients(KTRs)is higher than that in the general population.It is associated with long-lasting exposure to immunosuppressive agents and impaired oncological vigilance due to chronic kidney disease.Colorectal cancer(CRC),frequently diagnosed in an advanced stage,is one of the most common malignancies in this cohort and is associated with poor prognosis.Still,because of the scarcity of data concerning adjuvant chemotherapy in this group,there are no clear guidelines for the specific management of the CRCs in KTRs.We present a patient who lost her transplanted kidney shortly after initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer.CASE SUMMARY A 36-year-old woman with a medical history of kidney transplantation(2005)because of end-stage kidney disease,secondary to chronic glomerular nephritis,and long-term immunosuppression was diagnosed with locally advanced pT_(4A)N_(1B) M_(0)(clinical stage Ⅲ)colon adenocarcinoma G2.After right hemicolectomy,the patient was qualified to receive adjuvant chemotherapy that consisted of oxaliplatin,leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil(FOLFOX-4).The deterioration of kidney graft function after two cycles caused chemotherapy cessation and initiation ofhemodialysis therapy after a few months. Shortly after that, the patient started palliativechemotherapy because of cancer recurrence with intraperitoneal spread.CONCLUSIONInitiation of adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer increases the risk of rapid kidney graft lossdriven also by under-immunosuppression。

Providing care for kidney transplant recipients:An overview for generalists

Kidney transplantation is the preferred treatment for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease,offering superior quality of life and survival compared to dialysis.This manuscript provides an updated overview of post-transplant care,highlighting recent advancements and current practices to assist generalists in managing these patients.It covers key areas such as immunosuppression strategies,drug interactions,and the management of transplant-specific acute kidney injury.The focus includes the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and cell-free DNA monitoring for evaluating allograft health and immune-mediated injury.The manuscript reviews the fundamentals of immunosuppression,including both induction and maintenance therapies,and underscores the importance of monitoring kidney function,as well as addressing hypertension,diabetes,and infections.It also provides recommen-dations for vaccinations and cancer screening tailored to kidney transplant reci-pients and emphasizes lifestyle management strategies,such as exercise and so-dium intake,to reduce post-transplant complications.

Effect of kidney transplantation on sexual dysfunction in patients with end stage renal disease:A systematic review

BACKGROUND End-stage renal disease(ESRD)is associated with a multitude of physical,psychological,and social health challenges,including a profound impact on sexual and reproductive health.Among males with ESRD,erectile dysfunction(ED)is highly prevalent due to factors such as underlying comorbidities,including diabetes and hypertension,and the physiological effects of long-term dialysis.Kidney transplantation(KTx)has been proposed as a potential intervention to mitigate the effects of ED by restoring renal function and improving hormonal balance.However,the evidence surrounding the effectiveness of KTx in improving sexual function,specifically erectile function(EF),remains inconclusive.This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the effects of KTx on sexual dysfunction(SexDys),particularly ED,in male ESRD patients.AIM To evaluate the benefits and potential harms of KTx compared to other forms of renal replacement therapy in improving EF in adult males with ESRD,assessed using the international index of EF(IIEF),to survey the prevalence of SexDys in this population,and to assess the correlation between various factors and SexDys through regression analysis.METHODS A systematic search of PubMed,EMBASE,Cochrane Library,Scopus,Clinical-Trials.gov,and Google Scholar was conducted,following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines.Prospective and retrospective cohort studies,as well as cross-sectional studies assessing EF pre-and post-transplantation,were included.These studies used validated tools such as the IIEF to measure EF.Meta-analyses were performed using a random-effects model to estimate standardized mean differences(SMD)and hazard ratios(HR)with 95%confidence intervals(CI).Heterogeneity was assessed using the I²statistic,and publication bias was evaluated with a funnel plot and the Egger’s test.RESULTS A total of 2419 studies were identified,with 362 abstracts screened and 193 full-text articles reviewed.Ultimately,11 studies were included for qualitative analysis and 7 for quantitative synthesis.The random effects model for SMD yielded a combined estimate of 0.43(95%CI:-0.20-1.07),indicating a small but non-significant improvement in EF post-transplantation.The heterogeneity across studies was substantial(I²=90%),reflecting significant variability in outcomes.Subgroup analysis showed greater improvements in EF among living-donor transplant recipients compared to those receiving organs from deceased donors.Despite this trend,the overall result for changes in EF was not statistically significant(P=0.15).Additionally,the combined HR from the meta-analysis was 2.87(95%CI:1.76-4.69),suggesting that KTx significantly increases the likelihood of improved EF,though variability between studies persisted(I²=63%).CONCLUSION While KTx offers some promise for improving EF in male ESRD patients,the overall evidence remains inconclusive due to high heterogeneity between studies and a lack of statistical significance in the combined results.Despite this,individual studies suggest that KTx may lead to significant improvements in EF for certain subgroups,particularly living-donor recipients.Future research should focus on larger,well-designed cohort studies with standardized outcome measures to provide more definitive conclusions.Addressing SexDys as part of routine care for ESRD patients undergoing KTx is crucial to improving their overall quality of life.However,adjunct therapies such as phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors may be necessary for those who do not experience adequate improvements post-transplantation.

Total endoscopic nephroureterectomy for native kidney ipsilateral to transplanted kidney

Background From limited exposure with management of the native distal ureter ipsilateral to the transplanted kidney, we usually choose open nephroureterectomy （NU） or laparoscopic NU combined with an open approach in renal transplant （RTx） recipients. We herein describe our preliminary experience with total endoscopic NU with bladder cuff （BC） excision and evaluate its feasibility for RTx recipients.

Application and management of continuous glucose monitoring in diabetic kidney disease

Diabetic kidney disease(DKD)is a common complication of diabetes mellitus that contributes to the risk of end-stage kidney disease(ESKD).Wide glycemic var-iations,such as hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia,are broadly found in diabetic patients with DKD and especially ESKD,as a result of impaired renal metabolism.It is essential to monitor glycemia for effective management of DKD.Hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c)has long been considered as the gold standard for monitoring glycemia for>3 months.However,assessment of HbA1c has some bias as it is susceptible to factors such as anemia and liver or kidney dysfunction.Continuous glucose monitoring(CGM)has provided new insights on glycemic assessment and management.CGM directly measures glucose level in interstitial fluid,reports real-time or retrospective glucose concentration,and provides multiple glycemic metrics.It avoids the pitfalls of HbA1c in some contexts,and may serve as a precise alternative to estimation of mean glucose and glycemic variability.Emerging studies have demonstrated the merits of CGM for precise monitoring,which allows fine-tuning of glycemic management in diabetic patients.Therefore,CGM technology has the potential for better glycemic monitoring in DKD patients.More research is needed to explore its application and management in different stages of DKD,including hemodialysis,peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation.

Incidental renal cell carcinoma post bilateral nephrectomy in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

BACKGROUND Renal cell carcinoma(RCC)is more common in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease(ADPKD)than in the general population.Diagnosing RCC in ADPKD is challenging due to the presence of multiple renal cysts,often leading to delays and difficulties in distinguishing RCC from cyst infection or hemorrhage.A total of 38 kidneys were excised from 19 patients,with a mean age of 56.8 years and an average hemodialysis duration of 84.2 months.Eight patients underwent open nephrectomies,and 11 underwent hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrec-tomies.RCC was detected in 15.8%of kidneys,affecting 21.1%of patients.Two patients had multifocal RCC in both kidneys.All RCC cases were pT1 stage,with the largest lesion averaging 16.5 mm in diameter.The average operative duration was 120 minutes,with intraoperative blood loss averaging 184.2 mL.Five patients required blood transfusions.Postoperative complications occurred in five patients,with a mean hospital stay of 17.1 days.The mean follow-up period was 28.1 months.CONCLUSION The prevalence of RCC is higher in patients with ADPKD with ESRD than in those with ESRD alone.Thus,clinicians should be cautious and implement surveillance programs to monitor the development of RCC in patients with ADPKD,particularly those on dialysis.

Prevalence,serotyping and drug susceptibility patterns of Escherichia coli isolates from kidney transplanted patients with urinary tract infections

BACKGROUND Extended-spectrumβ-lactamase(ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli(E.coli)are among the main pathogens in urinary tract infections(UTIs)among kidney transplant patients(KTPs).AIM To estimate the prevalence of ESBL-producing E.coli in KTPs and to evaluate the most prevalent serotypes and antibacterial susceptibility patterns of isolated bacteria in Tehran,Iran.METHODS A total of 60 clinical isolates of uropathogenic E.coli were collected from 3 kidney transplant centers from April to May 2019.Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the disk diffusion method as recommended by the Clinical Laboratory and Standards Institute.The serotyping of E.coli isolates was performed by the slide agglutination method.The presence of blaTEM,blaSHV,and bla CTX-M genes was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS The frequency of ESBL-producing E.coli in KTPs was found to be 33.4%.All of the 60 E.coli isolates were found to be susceptible to doripenem(100%)and ertapenem(100%).High resistance rates to ampicillin(86%),cefotaxime(80%),and cefazolin(77%)were also documented.The most frequent serotypes were serotype I(50%),serotype II(15%),serotype III(25%),and serotype VI(10%).The gene most frequently found was blaTEM(55%),followed by blaCTX-M(51%)and blaSHV(41%).CONCLUSION Molecular analysis showed that blaTEM was the most common ESBL-encoding gene.The high resistance toβ-lactams antibiotics(i.e.,ampicillin,cefotaxime,and cefazolin)found in E.coli from KTPs with UTIs remains a serious clinical challenge.Further efforts to control ESBL-producing E.coli should include the careful use of all antibiotics as well as barrier precautions to reduce spread.

Surgical treatment of a rare brachial artery aneurysm postarteriovenous fistula closure after kidney transplant:A case report

BACKGROUND Brachial artery aneurysms are defined as dilations greater than 50%of the normal diameter,which are rare among all peripheral arterial aneurysms.While they are often present as pseudoaneurysms,true brachial artery aneurysms are also detected rarely.In this case report,the surgical repair method of true brachial artery aneurysms,which is a rare condition,is explained.CASE SUMMARY Herein,we present a 61-year-old male patient with complaints of swelling and pain in the right arm antecubital region that had been progressing over 6 mo.Upon the diagnosis of a true brachial artery aneurysm associated with arteriovenous fistula,the aneurysm was surgically repaired with an autologous saphenous vein graft.The patient was discharged without any neurovascular complications postoperatively.CONCLUSION True brachial artery aneurysms are rare and there are not any recommendations for their management in the current literature.Even though the treatment of true aneurysms in this artery is primarily based on a surgical treatment,endovascular repair also might be an option.

Mediating role of inner strength in the relationship between medication literacy and medication adherence among kidney transplant patients

Objective:Compared with long-term renal replacement therapy,kidney transplantation is the ideal treatment for end-stage renal disease(ESRD),significantly extending patient life and improving quality of life.Kidney transplant patients need to adhere to lifelong immunosuppressive medication regimens,but their medication adherence is generally poor compared with other organ transplant recipients.Medication adherence is closely related to medication literacy and psychological status,yet related studies are limited.This study aims to investigate the current status of medication adherence,inner strength,and medication literacy in kidney transplant patients,analyze the relationships among these 3 factors,and explore the mediating role of inner strength in the relationship between medication literacy and medication adherence.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to October 2023 involving 421 patients aged≥18 years who visited kidney transplantation outpatient clinics at 4 tertiary hospitals in Hunan Province.The inner strength,medication literacy,and medication adherence of kidney transplant patients were investigated using the Inner Strength Scale(ISS),the Chinese version of the Medication Literacy Assessment in Spanish and English(MedLitRxSE),and the Chinese version of the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8(C-MMAS-8),respectively.Univariate analysis was performed to examine the effects of demographic and clinical data on medication adherence.Correlation analysis was conducted to explore the relationships among medication literacy,medication adherence,and inner strength.Significant variables from univariate and correlation analyses were further analyzed using multiple linear regression,and the mediating effect of inner strength was explored.Results:Among the 421 questionnaires collected,408 were valid,with an effective rate of 96.91%.The scores of C-MMAS-8,MedLitRxSE,and ISS were 6.64±1.16,100.63±14.67,and 8.47±4.03,respectively.Among the 408 patients,only 86(21.08%)patients had a high level of medication adherence,whereas 230(56.37%)patients had a medium level of medication adherence,and 92(22.55%)patients had poor medication adherence.Univariate analysis indicated that the kidney transplant patients’age,marital status,education levels,years since their kidney transplant operation,number of hospitalizations after the kidney transplant,and adverse drug reactions showed significant differences in medication adherence(all P<0.05).Correlation analysis showed that inner strength positively correlated with both medication literacy(r=0.183,P<0.001)and medication adherence(r=0.201,P<0.001).Additionally,there was a positive correlation between medication adherence and medication literacy(r=0.236,P<0.001).Inner strength accounted for 13.22%of the total effect in the mediating role between medication literacy and medication adherence.Conclusion:The level of medication adherence among kidney transplant patients needs improvement,and targeted intervention measures are essential.Inner strength mediates the relationship between medication literacy and medication adherence in these patients.Healthcare professionals should focus on enhancing medication literacy and supporting patients’inner strength to improve medication adherence.

Update on the reciprocal interference between immunosuppressive therapy and gut microbiota after kidney transplantation

Gut microbiota is often modified after kidney transplantation.This principally happens in the first period after transplantation.Antibiotics and,most of all,immunosuppressive drugs are the main responsible.The relationship between immunosuppressive drugs and the gut microbiota is bilateral.From one side immunosuppressive drugs modify the gut microbiota,often generating dysbiosis;from the other side microbiota may interfere with the immunosuppressant pharmacokinetics,producing products more or less active with respect to the original drug.These phenomena have influence over the graft outcomes and clinical consequences as rejections,infections,diarrhea may be caused by the dysbiotic condition.Corticosteroids,calcineurin inhibitors such as tacrolimus and cyclosporine,mycophenolate mofetil and mTOR inhibitors are the immunosuppressive drugs whose effect on the gut microbiota is better known.In contrast is well known how the gut microbiota may interfere with glucocorticoids,which may be transformed into androgens.Tacrolimus may be transformed by microbiota into a product called M1 that is 15-fold less active with respect to tacrolimus.The pro-drug mycophenolate mofetil is normally transformed in mycophenolic acid that according the presence or not of microbes producing the enzyme glucuronidase,may be transformed into the inactive product.

Acute pancreatitis as a complication of acute COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients

BACKGROUND Acute pancreatitis is a rare extrapulmonary manifestation of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)but its full correlation with COVID-19 infection remains unknown.AIM To identify acute pancreatitis’occurrence,clinical presentation and outcomes in a cohort of kidney transplant recipients with acute COVID-19.METHODS A retrospective observational single-centre cohort study from a transplant centre in Croatia for all adult renal transplant recipients with a functioning kidney allograft between March 2020 and August 2022 to record cases of acute pancreatitis during acute COVID-19.Data were obtained from hospital electronic medical records.Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection was proven by a positive SARS-CoV-2 real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction on the nasopharyngeal swab.RESULTS Four hundred and eight out of 1432(28.49%)patients who received a renal allograft developed COVID-19 disease.The analyzed cohort included 321 patients(57%males).One hundred and fifty patients(46.7%)received at least one dose of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine before the infection.One hundred twenty-five(39.1%)patients required hospitalization,141(44.1%)developed pneumonia and four patients(1.3%)required mechanical ventilation.Treatment included immunosuppression modification in 233 patients(77.1%)and remdesivir in 53 patients(16.6%),besides the other supportive measures.In the study cohort,only one transplant recipient(0.3%)developed acute pancreatitis during acute COVID-19,presenting with abdominal pain and significantly elevated pancreatic enzymes.She survived without complications with a stable kidney allograft function.CONCLUSION Although rare,acute pancreatitis may complicate the course of acute COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients.The mechanism of injury to the pancreas and its correlation with the severity of the COVID-19 infection in kidney transplant recipients warrants further research.

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Kidney Transplant Questionnaire 25 to Greek

BACKGROUND Kidney transplantation leads to continuous improvement in the survival rates of kidney transplant recipients(KTRs)and has been established as the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage kidney disease.Health-related quality of life(HRQoL)has become an important outcome measure.It is highly important to develop reliable methods to evaluate HRQoL with disease-specific questionnaires.AIM To translate the disease-specific instrument Kidney Transplant Questionnaire 25(KTQ-25)to the Greek language and perform a cross-cultural adaptation.METHODS The translation and adaptation of the original English version of the KTQ-25 to the Greek language were performed based on the International Quality of Life RESULTS Eighty-four KTRs(59 males;mean age 53.5±10.7 years;mean estimated glomerular filtration rate 47.7±15.1 mL/min/1.73 m2;mean transplant vintage 100.5±83.2 months)completed the Greek version of the KTQ-25 and the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey,and the results were used to evaluate the reliability of the Greek KTQ-25.The Cronbach alpha coefficients for all the KTQ-25 dimensions were satisfactory(physical symptoms=0.639,fatigue=0.856,uncertainty/fear=0.661,appearance=0.593,emotions=0.718,total score=0.708).The statistically significant correlation coefficients among the KTQ-25 dimensions ranged from 0.226 to 0.644.The correlation coeffi-cients of the KTQ-25 dimensions with the SF-36 physical component summary(PCS)ranged from 0.196 to 0.550;the correlation coefficients of the KTQ-25 with the SF-36 mental component summary(MCS)ranged from 0.260 to 0.655;and the correlation coefficients of the KTQ-25 with the total scores with the SF-36 PCS and MCS were 0.455 and 0.613,respectively.CONCLUSION According to the findings,the Greek version of the KTQ-25 is valid and reliable for administration among kidney transplant patients in Greece.

Tuberculosis in kidney transplant candidates and recipients

Tuberculosis(TB)is the leading cause of infectious mortality and morbidity in the world,second only to coronavirus disease 2019.Patients with chronic kidney disease and kidney transplant recipients are at a higher risk of developing TB than the general population.Active TB is difficult to diagnose in this population due to close mimics.All transplant candidates should be screened for latent TB infection and given TB prophylaxis.Patients who develop active TB pre-or post-trans-plantation should receive multidrug combination therapy of antitubercular therapy for the recommended duration with optimal dose modification as per glomerular filtration rate.

Challenges to establishing and maintaining kidney transplantation programs in developing countries:What are the coping strategies?

Kidney transplantation(KT)is the optimal form of renal replacement therapy for patients with end-stage renal diseases.However,this health service is not available to all patients,especially in developing countries.The deceased donor KT programs are mostly absent,and the living donor KT centers are scarce.Single-center studies presenting experiences from developing countries usually report a variety of challenges.This review addresses these challenges and the opposing strategies by reviewing the single-center experiences of developing countries.The financial challenges hamper the infrastructural and material availability,coverage of transplant costs,and qualification of medical personnel.The sociocultural challenges influence organ donation,equity of beneficence,and regular follow-up work.Low interests and motives for transplantation may result from high medicolegal responsibilities in KT practice,intense potential psychosocial burdens,complex qualification protocols,and low productivity or compensation for KT practice.Low medical literacy about KT advantages is prevalent among clinicians,patients,and the public.The inefficient organizational and regulatory oversight is translated into inefficient healthcare systems,absent national KT programs and registries,uncoordinated job descriptions and qualification protocols,uncoordinated on-site investigations with regulatory constraints,and the prevalence of commercial KT practices.These challenges resulted in noticeable differences between KT services in developed and developing countries.The coping strategies can be summarized in two main mechanisms:The first mechanism is maximizing the available resources by increasing the rates of living kidney donation,promoting the expertise of medical personnel,reducing material consumption,and supporting the establishment and maintenance of KT programs.The latter warrants the expansion of the public sector and the elimination of non-ethical KT practices.The second mechanism is recruiting external resources,including financial,experience,and training agreements.

Supportive care in transplantation: A patient-centered care model to better support kidney transplant candidates and recipients

Kidney transplantation(KT),although the best treatment option for eligible patients,entails maintaining and adhering to a life-long treatment regimen of medications,lifestyle changes,self-care,and appointments.Many patients experience uncertain outcome trajectories increasing their vulnerability and symptom burden and generating complex care needs.Even when transplants are successful,for some patients the adjustment to life post-transplant can be challenging and psychological difficulties,economic challenges and social isola-tion have been reported.About 50%of patients lose their transplant within 10 years and must return to dialysis or pursue another transplant or conservative care.This paper documents the complicated journey patients undertake before and after KT and outlines some initiatives aimed at improving patient-centered care in transplantation.A more cohesive approach to care that borrows its philosophical approach from the established field of supportive oncology may improve patient experiences and outcomes.We propose the"supportive care in transplantation"care model to operationalize a patient-centered approach in transplantation.This model can build on other ongoing initiatives of other scholars and researchers and can help advance patient-centered care through the entire care continuum of kidney transplant recipients and candidates.Multi-dimensionality,multi-disciplinarity and evidence-based approaches are proposed as other key tenets of this care model.We conclude by proposing the potential advantages of this approach to patients and healthcare systems.Core Tip:Kidney transplant recipients and candidates face several uncertainties in their care journey and have several expressed unmet healthcare needs.We recommend a structured and comprehensive approach to transplant care across the entire continuum of a transplant patient’s journey similar to what has been developed in the field of oncology.The supportive care in transplantation model can operationalize patient-centered care and build on the efforts of other researchers in the field.We postulate that such a model would significantly improve care delivery and patients’experiences and outcomes and potentially decrease healthcare utilization and cost.INTRODUCTION Patients with kidney failure benefit from(KT)[1,2],and experience improved survival rates when compared with dialysis[3-6].KT studies,using validated instruments,have also consistently demonstrated that kidney transplant recipients(KTRs)experience better health-related quality of life and several improvements in other disease-specific domains when compared with dialysis[7].In countries where dialysis is out of reach for many,the diagnosis of kidney failure would be futile without KT[8].Thus,increasing KT has been a priority for the nephrology and transplant communities.This priority has been reflected in recent global trends:Of the 79 countries where data were available,the International Society of Nephrology’s Global Kidney Atlas reported that the prevalence of KTRs in 2023 was 279 per million population which represented an increase of 9.4%from the data published four years prior[8].Despite this growth,KT can be a challenging journey for many patients and it is sometimes regarded as a‘cure’,which does not conform with the reality that many patients experience[9-13].KTRs must maintain a life-long treatment regimen of medications,lifestyle changes,self-care and medical appointments[14-17].As poignantly stated by a young female transplant recipient,“I thought everything would change once I got my kidney.I thought I would be healthy again”but after experiencing multiple side effects of immunosuppressive medications and graft loss,she stated,“I am just a different kind of patient now”[18].Indeed,a significant proportion of patients experience graft failure and return to dialysis;it is estimated that over 50%return to dialysis within 10 years of KT[19-23].Patients are often not prepared for this outcome and report several psychosocial and physical ramifications of graft failure[24,25].Overall,high symptom burden,adverse effects of immunosuppressants,risk of graft rejection or failure and mortality,contribute to complex needs,vulnerability and uncertainties for patients,increasing their care needs and treatment burden[26-30].In this paper,we highlight the complex journey that KTRs and candidates undertake that can generate varied outcome trajectories and complex healthcare needs.We highlight the need for a comprehensive patient-centered approach to care and conclude with a proposal for a“supportive care in transplantation”care model.

Echerichia coli Infection—Associated Glomerulonephritis in a Kidney Transplant Patient: A Case Report

Post infectious Glomerulonephritis (PIGN) in renal allograft is a rare entity. Only a few Cases have been described in the literature. The post streptococcal glomerulonephritis is the classic example in native kidney. A wide variety of organism has been associated with PIGN in renal allograft such as Staphylococcus, Cytomegalovirus and Polyomavirus. We describe one case of Infection associated glomerulonephritis due to Echericha Coli, developed 5 years after kidney transplantation, in 47 years old female patient. The Clinical presentation was characterized by a peripheral edema and high blood pressure, and biological tests showed a nephrotic syndrome, an acute kidney injury, a consumption of Complement fractions. The renal biopsy revealed a diffuse endocapillary cell proliferation with preponderant deposits of C3. Total recovery was achieved 4 months after Methyprednisolone pulse and Cyclophasphamid with antimicrobial treatment.

Predicting outcomes after kidney transplantation: Can Pareto’s rules help us to do so?

Kidney transplantation is the best option for kidney replacement therapy,even considering that most of the times the grafts do not survive as long as their recipients.In the Khalil et al's experience,published in this issue of the Journal,they analyze their second kidney graft survival and describe those significant predictors of early loss.This editorial comments on the results and put in perspective that most of the times,long-term graft survival could be inadvertently jeopardized if the immunosuppressive therapy is reduced or withdrawn for any reason,and that it could happen frequently if the transplant physician intends to innovate with the clinical care without proper evidence-based data.