[Historical Archives of Italian Nephrology: the artificial kidney commissioned in 1947 by Aminta Fieschi (1904-1991)]

Aminta Fieschi, a physician who is today remembered mainly for his contributions in the field of haematology, in the late 1940s devoted himself to the study of the treatment of uraemia. For this reason he commissioned, a manufacturer based in Milano, an artificial kidney, which was built on the design of the "rotating-drum kidney" described by Willem Kolff in 1947 in his epoch-making monograph "New Ways of Treating Uraemia". However, after using that artificial kidney in few patients Fieschi abandoned it due to dangerous cardiovascular complications, and shifted to the use of other safer techniques such as intestinal perfusion. This paper describes the main contributions of Fieschi in the field of nephrology as well as the features of artificial kidney he used, whose manufacturer has been identified and retraced after more than fifty years by the author.

[Historical archives of Italian nephrology: Introduction of the artificial kidney in Italy]

In Italy the first attempts at haemodialysis, first in vitro and animals and then in humans, were carried out in the early 1950s by the surgeons Mario Battezzati e Carlo Taddei of Genoa with an artificial kidney of their own design. During the same years several other surgeons and urologists in Padua, Milan, Turin, Florence, Modena, Rome, Naples and Palermo designed their own artificial kidneys, which were used to treat anuric patients suffering from acute renal failure. The lively interest in artificial kidneys led, in 1954, to the organisation of a symposium on the subject. This was the first symposium of its kind not only in Italy but also at European level and was characterised by a wide discussion on all aspects associated with extracorporeal dialysis. In subsequent years the use of artificial kidneys continued to develop in several of the above-mentioned Italian centres, something that in the early 1960s led to the introduction of chronic haemodialysis. This paper shows how in Italy the use of artificial kidneys was characterised by intense experimental and clinical activity as well as original approaches to the many problems associated with the use of this technique.

BK polyomavirus interstitial nephritis in a renal transplant patient with no previous acute rejection episodes

A renal transplant patient treated with tacrolimus and mycophenolate-mofetil (MMF) developed progressive graft function deterioration 10 months after transplantation. Biopsy of the graft showed severe, focally accentuated interstitial inflammation with focal tubulitis and tubular necrosis, and medium-severe interstitial fibrosis with focal tubular atrophy. Glomerular and vascular structures were preserved. On careful examination, in some sections, tubular epithelial cells showed a definite increase with deformation of the nuclear shape, chromatin irregularities with peripheral dislocation and inclusion bodies. These cytopathic changes suggested polyoma virus infection ("decoy cells"). Subsequent screening of the urinary sediment confirmed the presence of many "decoy cells". Immunohistochemical analysis of the biopsy showed many tubular cells were strongly positive for the SV 40 antigen, specific for BK polyoma virus. A diagnosis of interstitial nephritis due to BK polyoma virus was made, though the coexistence of cellular rejection could not be excluded. At variance with previous reports, our patient had not had repeated episodes of rejection before biopsy or heavy immunosuppressive treatment, such as ALG, OKT3, after transplantation. This case shows that even in the absence of vigorous anti-rejection therapy an immunosuppressive regimen based on tacrolimus and MMF may involve the risk of BK polyoma virus- associated interstitial nephritis.

Role of proteinuria reduction in the progression of IgA nephropathy

Proteinuria has been shown to play a causal role in the progression towards ESRD of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). We demonstrated that steroids are effective in reducing proteinuria and preserving renal function.

AIM

to evaluate the long-term effect of steroids in IgAN patients (6th year evaluation) and better clarify the role of proteinuria reduction in slowing down the progression.

METHODS

multicenter randomized controlled trial of 86 adult IgAN patients with serum creatinine < or = 1.5 mg/ dL and moderate proteinuria. They received either supportive therapy or methylprednisolone 1-g i.v. for three days at months 1, 3, and 5, plus oral prednisone (0.5 mg/kg every other day for six months).

RESULTS

Proteinuria significantly decreased in the treated patients (from 2.0+/-0.60 g/24 h at baseline to 1.0+/-0.68 g/24 h at six months) and remained stable till the 6th year (0.67+/-0.5 g/24 h), it slightly decreased in the control group. Six-year renal survival was significantly better in the steroid than in the control group: 9 patient (20.9%) in the steroid group and 15 (34.8%) in the control group reached the primary end-point of a 50% increase in serum creatinine from baseline. Five controls and none of the steroid-treated patients started dialysis. Steroid-treated patients did not experience any major side effects during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Steroids significantly reduce proteinuria and protect against renal function deterioration in IgAN patients. Early reduction of proteinuria could also be marker of a persistent reduction in its levels over time and of a better outcome in the long term.

Towards European urinalysis guidelines. Introduction of a project under European Confederation of Laboratory Medicine

Improved standardized performance is needed because urinalysis continues to be one of the most frequently requested laboratory tests. Since 1997, the European Confederation of Laboratory Medicine (ECLM) has been supporting an interdisciplinary project aiming to produce European urinalysis guidelines. More than seventy clinical chemists, microbiologists and ward-based clinicians, as well as representatives of manufacturers are taking part. These guidelines aim to improve the quality and consistency of chemical urinalysis, particle counting and bacterial culture by suggesting optimal investigative processes that could be applied in Europe. The approach is based on medical needs for urinalysis. The importance of the pre-analytical stage for total quality is stressed by detailed illustrative advice for specimen collection. Attention is also given to emerging automated technology. For cost containment reasons, both optimum (ideal) procedures and minimum analytical approaches are suggested. Since urinalysis mostly lacks genuine reference methods (primary reference measurement procedures; Level 4), a novel classification of the methods is proposed: comparison measurement procedures (Level 3), quantitative routine procedures (Level 2), and ordinal scale examinations (Level 1). Stepwise strategies are suggested to save costs, applying different rules for general and specific patient populations. New analytical quality specifications have been created. After a consultation period, the final written text will be published in full as a separate document.

The early introduction of percutaneous renal biopsy in Italy

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous renal biopsy, based on the use of an aspiration needle and the patient in the sitting position, was first described by Iversen and Brun in 1951. In 1954, Kark and Muehrcke described the use of the cutting Vim-Silverman needle on patients in the prone position, with a substantial improvement in the rate of success. The 1961 CIBA Foundation Symposium on renal biopsy marked the coming of age of this technique. During the 1950s in Italy, several individuals played a part in promoting and developing percutaneous renal biopsy. Because this pioneer work has received insufficient attention, we describe the contributions of Italians to the early introduction of this technique.

METHODS

The Italian and international literature about percutaneous renal biopsy of the period 1951 through 1965 was reviewed. In addition, structured interviews with surviving members of the Italian researchers who first used renal biopsy were conducted.

RESULTS

The first renal biopsies in Italy were performed in 1951 in Pisa by the group of Ernico Fiaschi (1913-1989). In their hands, renal biopsy became a tool to investigate the pathogenesis of renal diseases in particular, while simultaneously using the early application of immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. In 1954, Pietro Leonardi (1914-1991) and Arturo Ruol (born 1924) introduced renal biopsy in Padova; they used this technique extensively and published one of the first monographs on the subject. In 1957, Vittorio Bonomini (born 1928) introduced renal biopsy in Bologna, and in subsequent years used this technique to focus on the study of pyelonephritis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our historical research shows that Italian groups were among the first to use and develop percutaneous renal biopsy both as a clinical tool and an investigative tool. This article gives international credit to their work.

In vitro erythrophagocytosis by renal tubular cells and tubular toxicity by haemoglobin and iron

BACKGROUND

Patients with gross haematuria of glomerular origin may develop acute tubular necrosis and reversible renal failure. Erythrocytes within the cytoplasm of proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs) can be seen on examination of renal biopsies from these patients. It is possible, therefore, that the tubular damage is a result of cytotoxic breakdown products released during erythrocyte degradation.

METHODS

To test this hypothesis, we evaluated (i) by transmission electron microscopy, the capability of a PTEC line to phagocytose and degrade erythrocytes in vitro; and (ii) the effect on the viability of PTCEs in vitro both after erythrophagocytosis and after incubation with haemoglobin, free iron or both.

RESULTS

Electron microscopic examination of PTECs exposed to erythrocytes for 96 h showed that 22% of PTECs contained one or more erythrocyte. These were within phagolysosomes and showed varying stages of degradation, with collapse and breakdown of the cell membrane and invasion by cytoplasmic organelles (the so-called haemolytic pathway of erythrocyte degradation). Despite the phagocytosis and degradation of the erythrocytes, no cytotoxicity could be demonstrated under the experimental conditions used. However, the presence of haemoglobin, free iron or both in the culture medium was toxic to the PTECs, resulting in a significant reduction in the number of viable cells present.

CONCLUSIONS

PTECs are able to phagocytose and degrade erythrocytes, and haemoglobin and iron are toxic to proximal tubular cells in vitro.

Corticosteroids in IgA nephropathy: a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

IgA nephropathy is progressive in most cases and has no established therapy. In this randomised trial, we assessed the efficacy and safety of a 6-month course of steroids in this disorder.

METHODS

Between July, 1987, and September, 1995, we enrolled 86 consecutive patients from seven renal units in Italy. Eligible patients had biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy, urine protein excretion of 1.0-3.5 g daily, and plasma creatinine concentrations of 133 micromol/L (1.5 mg/dL) or less. Patients were randomly assigned either supportive therapy alone or steroid treatment (intravenous methylprednisolone 1 g per day for 3 consecutive days at the beginning of months 1, 3, and 5, plus oral prednisone 0.5 mg/kg on alternate days for 6 months). The primary endpoint was deterioration in renal function defined as a 50% or 100% increase in plasma creatinine concentration from baseline. Analyses were by intention to treat.

FINDINGS

Nine of 43 patients in the steroid group and 14 of 43 in the control group reached the primary endpoint (a 50% increase in plasma creatinine) by year 5 of follow-up (p<0.048). Factors influencing renal survival were vascular sclerosis (relative risk for 1-point increase in score 1.53, p=0.0347), female sex (0.22, p=0.0163), and steroid therapy (0.41, p=0.0439). All 43 patients assigned steroids completed the treatment without experiencing any important side-effects.

INTERPRETATION

A 6-month course of steroid treatment protected against deterioration in renal function in IgA nephropathy with no notable adverse effects during follow-up. An increase in urinary protein excretion could be a marker indicating the need for a second course of steroid therapy.

Urinary microscopy as seen by nephrologists

Urinary microscopy is a diagnostic tool which is largely used by nephrologists. In the opinion of the authors the best results can be achieved when all the aspects concerning this test are properly taken into account. Thus, from the methodological point of view, proper patient guidance, proper urine collection and handling, adequate microscopic equipment, and knowledge of the factors which can influence the results are all necessary. All the elements of clinical importance have to be known, namely, erythrocytes (with their morphological subtypes), leukocytes, tubular cells, uroepithelial cells (both superficial and deep), lipids, casts, crystals, and microorganisms. Then, the urinary findings have to be interpreted and, whenever possible, also combined into urinary profiles (e.g., the nephritic sediment, the nephrotic sediment). This, combined with other laboratory tests, the pathologic findings, and the clinical data, allows for the definition and management of urinary tract diseases.

Glomerulonephritis associated with myasthenia gravis

In a follow-up study of 128 myasthenic patients from a neurological center in Northern Italy, three were found to have developed glomerulonephritis at variable intervals after the onset of myasthenia gravis, thymoma (two patients), and thymectomy. By renal biopsy, two patients (cases 1 and 3) were found to have membranous nephropathy; and one (case 2), pauciimmune extracapillary glomerulonephritis. At follow-up, patient 1 was persistingly nephrotic and developed renal failure, and patient 3 only had urinary abnormalities. Patient 2 developed end-stage renal disease. The review of the literature showed 10 other cases of glomerulonephritis associated with myasthenia gravis with or without thymoma and thymectomy. Therefore, it is likely that these conditions are pathogenetically linked. The role of autoantibodies, thymoma, and thymectomy in favoring glomerulonephritis in myasthenic patients is discussed.