Traditional monitoring of kidney transplant recipients for allograft dysfunction caused by rejection involves serial checks of serum creatinine with biopsy of the renal allograft if dysfunction is suspected.This appro...Traditional monitoring of kidney transplant recipients for allograft dysfunction caused by rejection involves serial checks of serum creatinine with biopsy of the renal allograft if dysfunction is suspected.This approach is labor-intensive,invasive and costly.In addition,because this approach relies on a rise in serum creatinine above historical baselines,injury to the allograft can be extensive before this rise occurs.In an effort to address this,donor-derived cell-free DNA(dd-cf DNA)is being used with increasing frequency in the clinical setting as a means of diagnosing a rejection of the renal allograft early in the course.This can poten-tially allow for early intervention to minimize not only injury,but the intensity of antirejection therapy needed and the avoidance of side effects.Here,we will review the available methodology for the determination and quantification of dd-cf DNA,the data supporting its use in clinical practice and the limitations of this technology.展开更多
To describe all abnormal histological findings and their associated endoscopic presentation in patients using mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). METHODSA retrospective review of all individuals prescribed MMF within 6 mo of...To describe all abnormal histological findings and their associated endoscopic presentation in patients using mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). METHODSA retrospective review of all individuals prescribed MMF within 6 mo of a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy between 07/2009 and 09/2015 was performed within Northwell Health system. Records were analyzed for age, gender, procedure indication, MMF indication, and both gross and microscopic findings. Only reports with abnormal histology were included. RESULTSOne hundred and eighty-four procedures from 170 patients were found, of which 39 met inclusion criteria. Fifty-one point three percent were female. MMF was used for solid organ transplant in 71.8%. Diarrhea was the indication for 71.8% of colonoscopies. Fifty-nine percent of reports revealed gross and microscopic abnormalities while 41.0% had only microscopic findings. Only 11 patients’ reports (28.2%) indicated a specific histopathology of MMF colitis. Among the entire group, only 23.1% of abnormal histology was isolated proximal to the splenic flexure. CONCLUSIONOur results demonstrate a high rate of left sided disease and microscopic findings without gross mucosal abnormalities among patients using MMF. Also, a broader definition of MMF-colonopathy may be appropriate, with a majority of our abnormal histology falling outside of the more narrowly defined MMF-colitis category. Given the high frequency of isolated microscopic abnormalities and distal disease, sigmoidoscopy with random biopsies may be an appropriate, less invasive initial endoscopic examination in selected MMF patients.展开更多
文摘Traditional monitoring of kidney transplant recipients for allograft dysfunction caused by rejection involves serial checks of serum creatinine with biopsy of the renal allograft if dysfunction is suspected.This approach is labor-intensive,invasive and costly.In addition,because this approach relies on a rise in serum creatinine above historical baselines,injury to the allograft can be extensive before this rise occurs.In an effort to address this,donor-derived cell-free DNA(dd-cf DNA)is being used with increasing frequency in the clinical setting as a means of diagnosing a rejection of the renal allograft early in the course.This can poten-tially allow for early intervention to minimize not only injury,but the intensity of antirejection therapy needed and the avoidance of side effects.Here,we will review the available methodology for the determination and quantification of dd-cf DNA,the data supporting its use in clinical practice and the limitations of this technology.
文摘To describe all abnormal histological findings and their associated endoscopic presentation in patients using mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). METHODSA retrospective review of all individuals prescribed MMF within 6 mo of a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy between 07/2009 and 09/2015 was performed within Northwell Health system. Records were analyzed for age, gender, procedure indication, MMF indication, and both gross and microscopic findings. Only reports with abnormal histology were included. RESULTSOne hundred and eighty-four procedures from 170 patients were found, of which 39 met inclusion criteria. Fifty-one point three percent were female. MMF was used for solid organ transplant in 71.8%. Diarrhea was the indication for 71.8% of colonoscopies. Fifty-nine percent of reports revealed gross and microscopic abnormalities while 41.0% had only microscopic findings. Only 11 patients’ reports (28.2%) indicated a specific histopathology of MMF colitis. Among the entire group, only 23.1% of abnormal histology was isolated proximal to the splenic flexure. CONCLUSIONOur results demonstrate a high rate of left sided disease and microscopic findings without gross mucosal abnormalities among patients using MMF. Also, a broader definition of MMF-colonopathy may be appropriate, with a majority of our abnormal histology falling outside of the more narrowly defined MMF-colitis category. Given the high frequency of isolated microscopic abnormalities and distal disease, sigmoidoscopy with random biopsies may be an appropriate, less invasive initial endoscopic examination in selected MMF patients.