Total dose iron infusion: safety and efficacy in predialysis patients

Iron deficiency anemia is not uncommon in predialysis patients. Oral iron often cannot maintain adequate iron stores. Hence we evaluated the safety and efficacy of total dose infusion (TDI) of iron in these patients. Anemic predialysis patients were screened and those with Hb < 7.0 g/dL and serum ferritin < 200 ng/mL were selected. Patients with active bleeding and acute liver disease were excluded. All patients were on oral iron 100 mg/day. None of the patients were on erythropoeitin. 11 patients (6 males and 5 females), aged 45.9 +/- 15 yrs, were suitable. Hb was 5.9 +/- 1.0 g/dL and serum ferritin was 89.5 + 50 ng/mL. The preparation used was iron dextran. A test dose of 25 mg in 100 mL normal saline was administered over 1 hr to all patients. One patient had fever and chills during the test dose and was not given TDI. 10 patients received TDI. None of these patients had any problem during the infusion. The dose of iron administered was 900 + 316.2 mg. One patient who received 1600 mg had arthralgia-myalgia and another patient had thrombophlebitis following TDI. One month after TDI, Hb was 8.0 + 1.0 g/dL and serum ferritin was 362 ng/mL. We feel that TDI is a safe and effective method of correcting iron deficiency in predialysis patients.

Hepatitis C virus infection during haemodialysis in India

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection is a major cause of hepatitis during haemodialysis after the control of hepatitis B following vaccination and isolation measures. Magnitude of this problem in India has not been studied and there are only few reports of HCV infection during haemodialysis from this country. This study was conducted to find out the incidence of HCV infection in patients of end stage renal disease (ESRD) and haemodialysis (HD), along with its source and to find out the clinical course of HCV positive patients.

METHODS

HCV infection was diagnosed by detecting anti-HCV antibodies using the IIIrd generation ELISA kits.

RESULTS

Of the 208 consecutive patients of ESRD accepted for the study, HCV prevalence was 4.3% at the time of start of study. Of the all risk factors studied, past history of jaundice and number of blood transfusion (BT) were significantly higher in HCV positive patients as compared to HCV negative patients. Of the 208 patients, 20 (9.6%) died, 119 (57.2%) lost follow-up and 69 (33.2%) got renal transplant (RT). Incidence of HCV in patients who died, lost follow-up and got RT was 10%, 3.4% and 36.2% while prevalence was 15%, 4.2% and 42% respectively. In these groups, duration of HD was 8.4, 5.2 and 22.7 weeks respectively while the mean blood transfusion (BT) was 1.2, 0.8 and 5.4 in number respectively. Mean age of patients in these groups was 37.85, 37.9 and 32.53 years and percentage of males were 65%, 75% and 89.9% respectively. At no stage of follow-up, patients with HCV infection had any symptoms or high serum bilirubin. Major abnormality was fluctuating ALT in these patients. HCV in 512 units of blood transfusions given to these patients and healthy volunteers was 1.17% and 0.66% respectively. Marked increase of HCV infection while patients were on HD is likely to be due to nosocomial spread. Blood transfusion was not found to be important source of HCV infection. Longer the patients remain on HD; more will be chance of HCV infection.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that HCV is a major cause of concern in haemodialysis patients in India and the predominant source of spread of infection is nosocomial. In our set-up, blood transfusion is not an important source of infection. Majority of these patients remains asymptomatic at least for the short terms follow-up.

Bone histology in patients with nephrotic syndrome and normal renal function

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of metabolic bone disease in patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS) at normal level of renal function remains uncertain.

METHODS

To address this issue, we studied 30 patients (20 men and 10 women, mean age 27.3 +/- 11.7 years) with NS who had normal renal function (mean creatinine clearance 103 +/- 4 ml/min). We evaluated their serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH), vitamin D metabolites, urinary calcium, and skeletal survey. The extent of bone mineralization was analyzed by histomorphometric analysis of iliac crest bone biopsy specimens in all patients. The findings on bone histology were correlated with biochemical parameters.

RESULTS

The mean duration of NS was 35.5 +/- 26.9 months, with a protein excretion of 7.3 +/- 3.2 g/24 hr and a serum albumin of 2.2 +/- 0.8 g/dl. Total serum calcium was 7.8 +/- 0.8 mg/dl, whereas ionized calcium was 5.7 +/- 0.7 mg/dl, phosphorus 3.2 +/- 1.2 mg/dl, and alkaline phosphatase 149 +/- 48.6 U/liter. Serum iPTH levels were normal in all except two patients. The mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level was 3.9 +/- 1.2 ng/ml (normal 15 to 30 ng/ml), whereas 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D was 24 +/- 4.7 pg/ml (normal 16 to 65). There was an inverse correlation between serum levels of 25(OH)D and the magnitude of proteinuria (r = -0.42, P < 0.05). The mean 24-hour urinary calcium excretion was 82 +/- 21 mg/day. The skeletal survey was normal in all patients. Bone histology was normal in 33.3% of the patients, whereas 56.7% had isolated osteomalacia (OSM), and 10% had an increased bone resorption in association with defective mineralization. The severity of OSM measured by mineralization lag time correlated linearly with the duration (r = 0.94, P < 0.0001) and the amount (r = 0.97, P < 0.0001) of proteinuria. All patients with NS for more than three years had histological changes. Patients with OSM had lower 25(OH)D and serum albumin as compared with those with normal histology (P < 0.005). Bone mineralization had no significant correlation with serum iPTH, divalent ions, or vitamin D levels.

CONCLUSIONS

OSM is a frequent finding in adult patients with NS, even at a normal level of renal function. Its severity correlates with the amount and duration of proteinuria.

Comparison of two schedules of hepatitis B vaccination in patients with mild, moderate and severe renal failure

Seroconversion rate following hepatitis B vaccination in patients of chronic renal failure (CRF) has been in the range of 10%-82% in various studies. Different approaches have been tried to improve seroconversion rate. We studied two schedule of hepatitis B vaccination, 0,1,2 (Group A) and 0,1,2,6 (Group B) in mild (creatinine 1.5 to 3.0 mg%), moderate (creatinine 3.0 to 6.0 mg%) and severe CRF (creatinine > 6.0 mg%). Between Oct. 93 to Oct. 95, 117 patients with CRF who were negative for HBsAg and anti-HBs were included in the study. Forty micrograms of recombinant vaccine "ENGIREX" (20 micrograms in each deltoid region) was given in both the groups. Number of cases of mild, moderate and severe CRF were 18, 15 and 42 in group A and 12, 13 and 17 in group B, respectively. One month after the last dose of vaccination, anti-HBs was measured using ELISA kit (Abbot Laboratories, India). Anti-HBs titres of > 10 IU/L were taken as criteria of positive seroconversion. In group A seroconversion rate was 87.5%, 66.6% and 35.7% in mild, moderate and severe CRF respectively while same results in group B were 100%, 77% and 36.36%, respectively. We conclude that patients of chronic renal failure should be vaccinated at very early stage of the disease using 40 micrograms of vaccine. Four doses schedule of 0,1,2,6 give better results than three doses schedule in early CRF.

Heat shock protein (HSP) expression and proliferation of tubular cells in end stage renal disease with and without haemodialysis

BACKGROUND

Prolonged dialysis is associated with acquired cystic kidney disease (ACKD) and also higher incidence of renal cell carcinoma. Relationship among dialysis, tubular cell proliferation, development of cystic change and neoplastic transformation is not clearly known. Whether dialysis causes additional stress on tubular cells is also conjectural. Study of heat shock protein (HSP) expression which are rapidly synthesized in cells in response to a variety of stresses may be helpful in this regard.

METHODS

To evaluate dialysis induced early changes in end stage renal disease (ESRD), kidneys from eight adult autopsied patients were examined (group I) who were on weekly maintenance haemodialysis for 3-12 months. The heat shock protein (HSP 72/73) expression of tubular epithelial cells and their proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) labelling index (LI) were studied by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies. For comparison similar study was carried out in 10 cases of ESRD (Group II) of similar age and sex distribution who were not dialysed. The atrophic tubules were subtyped morphologically into (1) classic, (2) thyroid, (3) endocrine and (4) super tubules.

RESULTS

In the dialysed group (I) the percentage of hyperplastic super tubules (10.6 +/- 4.1%) was significantly higher than in the non-dialysed group (II) (5.2 +/- 1.3%) with a higher PCNA LI (6.8 +/- 2.04%) (group II 4.9 +/- 1.9%) (P < 0.01 to < 0.001). Though grossly not detected, but microscopic cysts and microadenoma like areas were seen in all the cases in group I with a mean diameter of 522.66 +/- 315.25 microns and 494.85 +/- 262.46 microns respectively. They were seen in one case of group II. PCNA LI of the cells in microadenoma (7.2 +/- 3.1%) and microcysts (6.6 +/- 2.6%) were similar to that of super tubules in group I. Quantitation of HSP expression by image analysis (optical density 2.309 +/- 0.155) showed a positive correlation (r = 0.7555) (P < 0.001) with PCNA LI in super tubules indicating a higher induction in the dialysed group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that haemodialysis may cause injury to tubular cells and aggravate stress on an already compromised situation of ESRD leading to increased cell proliferation and more hyperplastic supertubule formation which may be the forerunner of cyst formation as well as neoplastic transformation.

Treatment of acute rejection in live related renal allograft recipients: a comparison of three different protocols

We present our experience on the comparison of three different modes of steroid therapy, oral prednisolone (OP), intravenous dexamethasone (IVDX) and intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) in the treatment of acute rejection (AR) in renal allograft recipients. Between January 1980 and January 1992, 206 patients underwent live related renal transplantation. Before 1990, all received prednisolone (PRED) and azathioprine (AZA) only. After 1990, patients were given PRED, AZA and cyclosporine (CsA). After 1 year, CsA was stopped and patients were converted to a two-drug regimen only. Of the 206 patients, 180 (87.4%) were male and mean age was 30.3+/-8.7 years (range 14-63). During the mean follow-up of 43.5 months, 178 episodes of AR were seen in 121 patients. Each episode was considered as a separate entrant in the study. Conventional immunosuppression was given in 151 episodes and 27 episodes were on triple-drug therapy. Diagnosis of AR was made by clinical, sonography, nuclear scan with or without graft biopsy evidence. Of the 178 AR, 110 (61.8%) were within 3 months, 36 (20.2%) were between 3 months and 1 year and 32 (18%) were after 1 year. OP was given in 11 cases while IVDX and IVMP were given in 48 and 119 cases respectively. Overall, 154 (86%) showed either a complete or partial response to antirejection therapy. Response to therapy was 91, 90 and 85% in OP, IVDX and IVMP groups respectively. There was no statistical difference in response rate in different groups. There was also no difference in side effects in three different groups. Our data suggest that it is the high dose of steroid rather than mode of therapy which is responsible for therapeutic benefit in treatment of AR.

Increased incidence of glomerulonephritis following spleno-renal shunt surgery in non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis

In a prospective study of 200 non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis (NCPF) patients, 7% had mild proteinuria and their renal biopsies showed mild mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (mes-PGN). The remaining 93% biopsies were normal. However, following the insertion of a spleno-renal shunt (SRS) for portal hypertension 32% of these patients developed nephrotic syndrome in five years. Renal histology revealed mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis (MCGN) (18.5%), mes-PGN (9%), minimal change nephropathy (3%), and chronic sclerosing GN (1.5%). Immunofluorescence showed granular deposition of IgA and C3. IgA2 was the predominant form of Ig in the glomerular deposits, indicating that IgA in the immune complexes was derived from the gastrointestinal tract. Electron microscopy revealed electron dense deposits in the mesangium. In contrast to the NCPF patients who underwent a SRS for portal hypertension, the 200 patients in our study who underwent spleno-renal shunting because of extra hepatic portal obstruction did not have renal disease, nor did they develop renal disease during the five-year post-operative follow-up. Fifty percent of the glomerulonephritis (GN) in the NCPF group progressed to renal failure in five years; 46.6% continued to have proteinuria. Low serum complement, C3 (40%) and circulating immune complexes (14.8%) were detected in the glomerulonephritis group. Our study shows that: (i) there is a high rate of the occurrence of GN following SRS in NCPF patients, but not in those with normal livers; (ii) the type of GN is primarily IgA nephropathy; and (iii) the GN could be the result of defective hepatic reticuloendothelial function in the NCPF group that is worsened by the shunting procedure.

Diagnosis of glomerular haematuria: role of dysmorphic red cell, G1 cell and bright-field microscopy

Differentiation between glomerular and non-glomerular haematuria by observation of the changes in red cell morphology using phase-contrast microscopy is a well established technique. However, the method is not widely accepted in clinical practice because of controversy regarding the minimum percentage of dysmorphic red cells required to diagnose glomerular aetiology, as well as the need for specialized microscopes. Recently, a glomerular-specific morphological alteration of red cells has been described, which has the form of a doughnut shape with one or more blebs and which is termed the "G1" cell. In the present double-blind prospective study 250 urine samples were examined without any knowledge of diagnosis. Haematuria was detected in 122 cases. The type of haematuria was characterized by counting dysmorphic cells and G1 cells separately, in each case using a phase-contrast microscope as well as an ordinary bright-field microscope with and without staining of urinary sediments. The results were later correlated with the confirmed diagnosis. The study showed that the G1 cell is more specific than the dysmorphic cell for the diagnosis of glomerular haematuria. Evaluation of both dysmorphic red cells and G1 cells can be done using bright-field microscopy with 100% specificity and sensitivities of 82 and 100%, respectively. It has been concluded that the ordinary bright-field microscope can be used for the diagnosis of glomerular haematuria with an efficiency similar to that of a phase-contrast microscope.

IMMUNOLOGICAL MONITORING IN TRANSPLANTATION

Sixty eight patients who had undergone live related donor renal transplantation (LRD), were evaluated for soluble interleukin-2 receptors (sIL-2R), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and autoantibodies against IgG(Fab')2 and IgG(Fc), at pre- and various post-transplant intervals. Serum sIL-2R levels were significantly elevated in hemodialysed patients awaiting transplantation (mean 259.2 ± 90.5 pmol/L) as compared to healthy volunteers (mean 52.6 ± 16.7 pmol/L). In 96 samples obtained from patients with well-functioning grafts (WFG), the post-transplant sIL-2R levels (135.6 ± 65.4 pmol/L) were significantly lower (p < 0.001) than their pretransplant values. Eight patients with cyclosporin-A (CsA) nephrotoxicity, 14 with reversible acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and 4 patients with partial surgical obstruction, revealed moderate levels (99.0 ± 13.7, 184.1 ± 47.5, 156.7 ± 40.4 pmol/L respectively). On the other hand, 29 patients with acute rejection episodes, 11 with chronic rejection and 8 with infections had significantly higher levels (307.9 ± 89.3, 253.3 ± 68.6,345 ± 110.6 pmol/L), (p < 0.001). TNF-α levels were also raised in rejection and infective episodes but were not statistically significant. Serum anti-IgG(Fab')2 levels were found higher (0.407 OD) in WFG as compared to those with declining graft functions (0.279 OD). On the contrary high pre- and post-transplant anti-IgG(Fc) activity was associated with increased graft rejection and lower survival rate.

Post transplant diabetes mellitus in live related renal allograft recipients: a single centre experience

The incidence of post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) was evaluated in 250 patients who underwent live-related renal transplantation at our hospital between 1978 and 1992. Twelve (4.8%) patients developed PTDM requiring drug therapy. PTDM occurred in 4 of 197 (2%) patients on conventional prednisolone-azathioprine immunosuppression as compared to 8 of 53 (15.1%) patients receiving cyclosporine in addition (triple-therapy). Three patients (25%) developed PTDM during or immediately following anti-rejection therapy with intravenous methylprednisolone. Eight patients (66.6%) developed PTDM within six months of transplantation. Majority of our patients (66.6%) could be managed successfully with oral hypoglycemic agents. Two patients (16.6%) showed spontaneous resolution of hyperglycemia within six months of onset of PTDM. Eleven patients (91.6%) were symptomatic for their hyperglycemia with two patients presenting as 'pseudorejection' and one with diabetic ketoacidosis. Females were more predisposed to develop PTDM in our study (10% vs. 4.1%). HLA-B15 and DR 3 were the commonest phenotypes in our PTDM patients. No other known predisposing or triggering factors associated with PTDM were found in our patients. The current study suggests, that addition of cyclosporine to the conventional immunosuppression in live-related renal allograft recipients has contributed to an increased incidence of post-transplant diabetes mellitus. Close and regular blood sugar monitoring is thus recommended in post-transplant patients especially those on triple drug immunosuppression.

The quality of life in successful live-related renal allograft recipients in India

BACKGROUND

The high cost of maintenance of haemodialysis makes most patients in India and elsewhere opt for a renal transplant. The degree of rehabilitation can best be assessed by evaluating the quality of life in successful recipients.

METHODS

We studied vocational rehabilitation, social relations, sexual and married life, psychological status and life satisfaction in 51 successful live-related renal allograft recipients using Schwab's depressive scale, Bigot's life satisfaction index and the Kamofsky physical scale.

RESULTS

Eight-four per cent of our patients had returned to their original jobs. Ninety-eight per cent of patients had a Kamofsky scale of 90-100 and 81% were leading a normal married life. Ninety-four per cent of them led an active social life.

CONCLUSION

Successful live-related renal transplantation is associated with a good quality of life and should be the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage renal disease.

CLINICAL APPLICATION OF FLOW CYTOMETRY IN LIVE RELATED DONOR RENAL TRANSPLANTATION

To monitor the activity of the humoral component in graft dysfunction following renal transplantation using live related donors, flowcytometric cross-match procedure was adopted. Antidonor antibodies were detected in the sera of both pre- and post-transplant patients using conventional serological cytotoxicity cross-match and flowcytometric cross-match assays. In the 52 pretransplant samples no significant differences were observed in flowcytometric and cytotoxicity tests except in 2 secondary transplant cases which were negative by cytotoxicity test. However, in post-transplant samples, floweytometry was found to be a more objective and useful test than cytotoxicity testing in distinguishing 6 out of 7 mild acute-graft-rejection episodes. Both tests were found to be negative in alt 5 cases of cyclosporin-A nephrotoxicity, 7 cases of acute tubular necrosis and 10 out of 11 cases of chronic rejection.

Results of conversion from triple-drug to double-drug therapy in living related renal transplantation

Results of 34 recipients of living related renal allografts initially treated with cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisolone and later electively converted to AZA and PRED are presented. Thirteen (group A), 14 (group B), and 7 (group C) patients were converted before 9 months, between 9 and 12 months, and after 12 months, respectively. Thirty-four patients who were on AZA and PRED and had never received CsA served as controls. Of the 34 patients, 33 were HLA haploidentical with their donors and 1 was HLA identical. All patients received a mean 8.62 +/- 7.39 third-party blood transfusions. In the control group, 29 patients received haploidentical grafts. The number of blood transfusions given to this group was 7.09 +/- 9.13. Of the 34 patients receiving triple-drug therapy, 9 (26%) had acute rejection within 3 months after conversion, as compared with 5 (14.7%) in the control group (P > 0.05). Although 1 case had acute rejection before conversion, all recipients had stable graft function at the time of conversion. Of these 9 recipients, 7 had conversion over 4-7 weeks, while 2 had rapid conversion. Following treatment of the rejection episodes, 4 patients in the study group responded to therapy, as compared with 3 cases in the control group (P > 0.05). After a mean follow-up of 18.62 +/- 10.31 months (range 3-41 months) following conversion, 4 patients were normal, 4 had chronic rejection (mean serum creatinine = 3.0 mg/100 ml), and 1 was back on regular dialysis. Eventually, of the 34 patients who were converted from triple-drug to double-drug therapy, 25 were normal, 5 had stable chronic rejection, 2 were back on regular dialysis, 1 was retransplanted, and 1 died due to failed graft. At the end of follow-up, graft survival in the study group was 88.2%, as compared with 85.5% in controls (P > 0.05). We conclude that conversion from triple-drug to double-drug therapy is not without risk, even in living related primary renal transplantation. Degree of HLA matching, number of pretransplant blood transfusions, and rejection before conversion did not have any significant effect on rejections following conversion, and the graft loss following conversion is unpredictable.

Clinical profile and course and outcome of late acute rejection episodes in living-related-donor renal allograft recipients

We prospectively monitored clinical data and renal function at monthly intervals in 165 patients who had received living-related-donor renal allografts in our institution between January 1981 and December 1991 and had a functioning allograft for 1 year or longer. During a mean follow-up period of 47.2 (range 13-155) months, 32 patients (17.2%) developed late acute rejections, of which 14 (43.7%) were asymptomatic. Amongst the symptomatic late acute rejections, worsening of hypertension was the commonest finding, being present in 11 (61.1%) patients, followed by oliguria in 8 (44.4%) and weight gain in 7 (38.8%) patients. Of these 32 late acute rejections, as many as 28 (87.5%) showed a response to antirejection therapy with high-dose steroids: 5 (15.6%) a complete response and 23 (71.9%) a partial response. The response rate was 100% if it was the first acute rejection (20% complete and 80% partial), 78.6% if it was the second (14.3% complete and 64.3% partial), and no or only a partial response to treatment if it was the third acute rejection episode. On long-term follow-up, patients who had responded to to antirejection treatment had a significantly better graft survival as compared with nonresponding patients: 76 and 27%, respectively. Our observations suggest that routine monitoring of the renal function at frequent intervals is essential for early diagnosis and treatment of acute rejections, even during the late posttransplant period. The chances of a response to antirejection therapy are higher during the first episode of late acute transplant rejection as compared with second or a third late rejection event.

Blood pressure profile, urinary sodium and body weight in the 'Oraon' rural and urban tribal community

Blood pressure and nutritional profiles in the 'Oraon' tribal community of India living in rural and urban areas were studied between 1981-85 after a house to house survey of 4523 rural tribal people (RT) and 935 of their urban tribal counterparts (UT). Prevalence of hypertension was found to be 4.8/1000 males and 4.3/1000 females in rural tribal group giving an overall rate of 4.6/1000. In contrast the same were 27.1/1000 males and 21.4/1000 females in UT group, overall rate being 25.6/1000. Average calorie consumption were 1750 and 2280 and mean 24 hour-urinary sodium excretions 58 and 118 milliequivalents in RT and UT groups respectively. Of the total of 21 subjects in RT and 24 in UT detected to be hypertensive, 7 had common family inheritance. Increased mean arterial pressure correlated with increased sodium consumption and body weight. Hypertensives from both the groups showed higher urinary sodium excretion (P < 0.05). This epidemiologic study proves the role of a genetic factor/defect complicated by higher salt consumption in causation of increased blood pressure.

Reduced urinary kallikrein excretion in human renovascular hypertension caused by nonspecific aortoarteritis and other disorders

In this study urinary kallikrein excretion was measured using the kininogenase bioassay technique in 12 normal volunteers and 23 patients with angiographically-proven renovascular hypertension (RVHT). In 13 of these (group I), RVHT was due to nonspecific aortoarteritis (NSAA) and in 10 (group II) due to other causes. Urinary kallikrein (UKa) excretion was significantly lower in patients, with values still lower in NSAA. PRA was high in both the groups in comparison with controls; however, the levels were significantly lower in group I compared with group II. Finding of both UKa and PRA lower in group I is suggestive of long standing hypertension becoming volume dependent with nephrosclerotic changes in the kidney. These results point to decreased renal kallikrein-kinin system activity as a feature of NSAA that probably contributes chiefly to the maintenance of the hypertensive state. Normalisation of BP with restoration of UKa and PRA towards normal in three patients of group I and five in group II further support the role of UKa not only when over activity of renin-angiotensin system is responsible for RVHT as in group II but also in group I when the hypertension becomes volume dependent.

Effect of panel reactive antibody on live related donor kidney transplantation: Indian experience

Serum samples from 95 recipients, transplanted with kidneys from live related donors, were tested for the presence of panel reactive antibodies (PRA) in pre- and post-transplant serum samples by the extended microdroplet lymphocytotoxicity test. The immunoglobulin class of antibodies was tested by treatment of serum with dithiothreitol. A significant correlation was found between the high PRA found in the 75 pretransplant sera tested and the subsequent rejection episodes. In addition, the level of pretransplant PRA activity was associated with graft survival in that patients with low PRA had significantly superior graft survival than those with high PRA. Furthermore, the present data show that patients with historical high PRA, but current low PRA, had graft survival similar to that in recipients who had moderate PRA in their current sera. High PRA patients had more often a positive crossmatch than patients with low PRA. The PRA level was also associated with prolonged waiting period. Immunoglobulin class of antibodies was related to graft acceptance in that the presence of IgM antibodies was not detrimental to transplantation. The results in the present study suggest that PRA of < 10% is negligible, while more attention should be paid to patients with PRA > 10%.

Clinicopathologic course of hepatitis B infection in surface antigen carriers following living-related renal transplantation

We present the clinical course, serology, and histopathology of 17 living-related renal allograft recipients who were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive at the time of transplantation. Although 14 patients were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive, none had clinical hepatitis at the time of transplantation. All patients were receiving moderate doses of prednisolone and azathioprine only. At the mean short-term follow-up of 70 months (range, 6 to 132 months), none of the patients had seroconversion to antibody to HBsAg. Four patients died due to extrahepatic complications between 16 and 50 months following transplantation. Of these, three had normal liver function at the time of death and one had portal tract infiltration by chronic inflammatory cells. One patient died due to fulminant hepatitis at 6 months after transplantation. Of the remaining 12 patients, although 11 were HBeAg positive, only two developed chronic active hepatitis. Our short-term follow-up data suggest that chronic liver disease is not a frequent complication following living-related renal transplantation in HBsAg carriers. In addition, the presence of HBeAg at the time of transplantation does not predict a bad prognosis. Thus, in a living-related renal transplant program, asymptomatic carriers of HBsAg with positive HBeAg are not a contraindication for renal transplantation.

Falciparum malaria complicating cholestatic jaundice and acute renal failure

Nine patients of acute falciparum malaria with severe hyperbilirubinemia developed acute renal failure (ARF). All of them had evidence of intrahepatic cholestasis and needed hemodialysis for several weeks; 7 survived and 2 died, one due to cerebral malaria, the other multiple organ failure. Interestingly, referal diagnosis did not include malaria as a cause of ARF in 8 out of 9 patients.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) in necrotising vasculitides with renal involvement

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) was detected in sera of 20 out of 32 patients with necrotising vasculitides involving the kidneys and other organs. It was of high titre and cytoplasmic type in Wegener's granulomatosis (8/9); and of low titre and cytoplasmic or perinuclear type in systemic polyarteritis (6/12), renal limited polyarteritis (5/9) and pulmonary renal syndrome (1/2). It fell to low or undetectable levels on clinical improvement or remission with cyclophosphamide therapy. Its detection was helpful in diagnosis and management of vasculitides with renal and extrarenal manifestations.

Left ventricular diastolic function in end-stage renal disease and the impact of hemodialysis

Twenty-one patients (17 men and 4 women, aged 20 to 40 years) with end-stage renal disease (creatinine clearance persistently < 5 ml/min for > 3 months) were evaluated for left ventricular (LV) diastolic function by Doppler echocardiography before and after hemodialysis. Fifteen patients were on maintenance hemodialysis (group A) and 6 were studied before and after their first hemodialysis (group B). The following indexes of LV diastolic function were studied: (1) isovolumic relaxation time; and (2) Doppler indexes from mitral inflow signal--peak early velocity, peak late velocity (atrial), deceleration of early filling phase, and deceleration time of early filling phase. LV systolic function in groups A and B (LV ejection fraction 68 +/- 6 and 77 +/- 5%, fractional shortening 0.39 +/- 0.06 and 0.46 +/- 0.05%) was normal and did not change after hemodialysis. Group A had a prolonged isovolumic relaxation time of 80 +/- 22 ms, which decreased to 57 +/- 14 ms (p < 0.005). Deceleration time decreased from 248 +/- 58 to 184 +/- 38 ms (p < 0.00005) and the deceleration slope increased from 4.3 +/- 1.8 to 5.1 +/- 1.6 m/s2 (p < 0.005) after hemodialysis. In group B, isovolumic relaxation time decreased from 87 +/- 21 to 73 +/- 15 ms (p < 0.05), deceleration time decreased from 256 +/- 43 to 185 +/- 34 ms (p < 0.05), and deceleration slope increased from 3.5 +/- 0.8 to 4.2 +/- 1.1 m/s2 (p < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Spectrum of poisoning requiring haemodialysis in a tertiary care hospital in India

We report our experience in 66 cases of acute poisoning requiring haemodialysis (HD) in the last 17 years. Barbiturate poisoning was the commonest poisoning (30 cases). Mean blood barbiturate level was 8.9 mg%. Twenty four were in grade IV coma at the time of presentation. Twenty five required one HD and 5 cases needed 2 HD. Four died due to respiratory infection or hypotension. Copper sulphate poisoning was encountered in 19 cases. Common features in this group were: acute renal failure (ARF) (19), haematuria (3), gastrointestinal bleeding (7), intravascular haemolysis (9), jaundice (11), hepatocellular toxicity (8), methaemoglobinuria (8) and circulatory collapse (5). The indication for HD in all these cases was ARF. Seven patients died. There were 9 cases of mercuric chloride poisoning requiring 2-5 HD. Common features in this group were; ARF (9), gastrointestinal bleeding (9), anaemia (8), jaundice (2). Two patients died. Other patients had Mandrax, Naphthalene, Tincture Iodine, Ethylene Bromide and Lithium poisoning. Overall mortality in our study was 24.2%. It is concluded that HD is not the primary mode of therapy for drug intoxication. Adequate supportive management is most important in determining final outcome of these patients.

Idiopathic adult focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: a clinicopathological study and response to steroid

A total of 65 adult cases (53 males, 12 females) with biopsy-proven focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) were studied. Hypertension, ascites and haematuria were seen in 13, 12 and 24 cases, respectively. Decreased creatinine clearance at presentation was found in 9 cases. Mean proteinuria per day, serum cholesterol and total protein were 7.5 +/- 4.3 g, 388.95 +/- 213.4 mg% (10.11 +/- 5.55 mmol/l) and 5.27 +/- 1.1 g% (0.527 +/- 0.11 milligram), respectively. Mesangial proliferation was seen in 13 cases and hilar sclerosis in 5. Fifty percent showed positive immunofluorescence; IgM in 10, C3 in 8, and IgG in 2. Forty-two cases could be followed (mean 32 months), out of which 38 had nephrotic syndrome and were treated with prednisolone; 58% showed response (31% complete remission and 27% partial remission). One patient in each group of responders and nonresponders had renal failure at the end of follow-up. Hypertension, degree of proteinuria, mesangial proliferation, degree of tubular atrophy and immunofluorescence findings did not significantly affect the response to steroids. We conclude that a group of patients with idiopathic adult FSGS has a favourable response to steroids, which cannot be predicted clinically.

Outcome of patients with pre-existing hepatitis B virus infection following renal transplant

Twenty four patients who were HBsAg positive prior to renal transplantation were studied with respect to their hepatic and renal outcome. The kidneys in all patients were obtained from living related donors. The standard immunosuppressive therapy consisted of azathioprine and prednisolone. Post-renal transplant follow-up varied from 32-86 months (mean 55 +/- 9). Renal functions, liver functions, HBsAg and HBsAb status was closely monitored during follow-up. One patient developed acute hepatitis four months after transplantation; this resolved in 10 weeks. Four patients showed transient elevations of liver enzymes. The results of liver biopsy in 16 cases revealed, normal histology (8), virus in hepatocytes (5), and acute hepatitis (3). None of the patients had evidence of chronic liver disease. Two patients died due to chronic rejection/chronic renal failure and two patients died due to septicaemia. Five living patients have mild to moderate chronic rejection. It was concluded that pre-existing HBsAg carrier state in transplant patients had no deteriorating effect on the liver. The mortality was related to chronic rejection and septicaemia.

Wegener's granulomatosis in northern India

Till recently, Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) was considered a rare disease in India. Over the last 5 years we studied 13 proven cases of WG. This paper describes the details of the disease as seen in these patients, and response to corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide therapy, and compares these observations with a Western and an Indian study.

IgA associated glomerulonephritis

Immunohistological analysis of 1146 renal biopsies revealed IgA associated glomerulonephritis (IgAGN) in 83 (7.24%) patients (33 children, 50 adults). Clinical features were unusually severe in a high proportion. Nephrotic syndrome (NS) responding poorly to prednisolone was found in 24%, hypertension (HT) in 39%, and azotemia in 34% of patients. NS was slightly more frequent in children than in adults, but HT and azotemia occurred twice as often in adults as in children. Histologically, extensive glomerular crescents and sclerosis were prominent. In addition, moderate arteriolitis and arteriolosclerosis and marked tubulointerstitial nephropathy were notable features. Thus, a low incidence and marked severity characterized IgAGN in this study.

Peripheral and renal vein renin activity in patients with renovascular hypertension due to nonspecific aortoarteritis

The diagnostic utility of peripheral and renal vein renin estimations in relation to angiographic findings was evaluated in 13 patients with renovascular hypertension and non-specific aortoarteritis (NSAA, Gr I), in comparison with 10 patients with renal artery stenosis due to other causes (Gr II). Plasma renin activity (PRA) was measured by radioimmunoassay. Blood samples were collected after angiography from the femoral vein and renal vein on the affected side followed by sampling from the less affected or unaffected side. Renal vein renin ratio (RVRR) was calculated from renal vein renin values. The effect of captopril (25 mg oral) on blood pressure, PRA, and RVRR was examined in 8 patients from each group. Normotensive volunteers (8) with moderately low salt intake were also included in the study for comparison of twenty-four-hour urinary sodium output, peripheral PRA, and response to captopril. The mean peripheral PRA was high in both groups as compared with normotensive controls; however, the values were lower in patients with NSAA. The rise in PRA in response to captopril was insignificant in Gr I (p greater than 0.05) and RVRR greater than 1.5 was observed in 5 of 13 patients in contrast to 9 of 10 in Gr II (p less than 0.05). A paradoxical ratio, ie, (high renal vein renin levels on the less stenotic side) was noticed in 3 patients of Gr I, whereas none of the patients of GR II showed such a ratio. An improvement in RVRR after captopril was observed in 50% of patients of Gr I as compared with a marked response in all patients of Gr II.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The prevalence of microalbuminuria in diabetes: a study from north India

Geographic/population variation in the prevalence of diabetic nephropathy is well recognised. In a study of 'native' Indians, we screened 102 non-proteinuric diabetes mellitus patients (64 NIDDM, 38 IDDM; mean age and diabetic duration 48.7 and 6.5 years, 21.6 and 6.2 years, respectively) with blood pressure less than or equal to 170/105 and without congestive heart failure, ketonuria or urinary tract infection, for the presence of microalbuminuria (albumin excretion rate greater than 20 micrograms/min). Fifty-six patients (34 NIDDM, 22 IDDM) also underwent detailed fundus examination. Seventeen NIDDM (26.6%) and 3 IDDM (7.9%) patients had microalbuminuria. Glycated hemoglobin was significantly higher in microalbuminurics in the NIDDM group (P less than 0.05). Diabetic retinopathy tended to occur more frequently in microalbuminurics (NIDDM and IDDM).