Current status of lupus nephritis

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic disease of unknown aetiology with variable course and prognosis. Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the important disease manifestations of SLE with considerable influence on patient outcomes. Immunosuppression therapy has made it possible to control the disease with improved life expectancy and quality of life. In the last few decades, various studies across the globe have clarified the role, dose and duration of immunosuppression currently in use and also provided evidence for new agents such as mycophenolate mofetil, calcineurin inhibitors and rituximab. However, there is still a need to develop new and specific therapy with less adverse effects. In this review, the current evidence of the treatment of LN and its evolution, and new classification criteria for SLE have been discussed. Also, rationale for low-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide as induction agent followed by azathioprine as maintenance agent has been provided with emphasis on individualized and holistic approach.

A Study of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy and Acute Peritoneal Dialysis in Hemodynamic Unstable Patients

Objective:

The objective of the following study was to assess the outcome of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and acute peritoneal dialysis (PD) in dialysis-requiring renal failure in patients with hemodynamic instability.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective analysis of all the patients who received CRRT and acute PD over a period of 1 year at our institute, a tertiary care center, was done for diagnosis, type of renal replacement therapy (RRT), and survival outcome. The indications for administering either of the therapy were usual indications of doing hemodialysis with the presence of hemodynamic instability (systolic blood pressure <90 mm of Hg even with inotropes).

Results:

Forty patients, 22 in CRRT and 18 in acute PD group were studied. All these patients required inotropes to maintain desired blood pressure. Twenty-five (62.5%) patients had acute kidney injury (AKI), and 15 (37.5%) had chronic kidney disease (CKD) superimposed over other primary diagnosis. A total of 8 (20%) patients (4 in CRRT, 4 in acute PD) survived at the time of discharge from hospital. The mean age of survivors was approximately a decade less than nonsurvivors (P = 0.15). Overall, there were no survivors in CKD group and all the patients who survived at the time of discharge from hospital had underlying AKI (P = 0.016).

Conclusion:

This study showing comparable survival outcome in acute PD and CRRT gives evidence that either of the modalities can be adopted in hemodynamically unstable patients requiring RRT depending on the resources available.

Clinicopathological spectrum of snake bite-induced acute kidney injury from India

AIM

To study the clinico-pathological spectrum of snake bite-induced acute kidney injury (AKI).

METHODS

A retrospective study of patients admitted at Indira Gandhi Medical College Hospital, Shimla with snake bite-induced AKI from July 2003 to June 2016. Medical records were evaluated for patient’s information on demographic, clinical characteristics, complications and outcome. Outcomes of duration of hospital stay, requirement for intensive care unit support, treatment with dialysis, survival and mortality were analyzed. The survival and non survival groups were compared to see the difference in the demographic factors, clinical characteristics, laboratory results, and complications. In patients subjected to kidney biopsy, the findings of histopathological examination of the kidney biopsies were also analyzed.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-one patients were diagnosed with snake bite-induced AKI. Mean age was 42.2 ± 15.1 years and majority (58%) were women. Clinical details were available in 88 patients. The mean duration of arrival at hospital was 3.4 ± 3.7 d with a range of 1 to 30 d. Eighty percent had oliguria and 55% had history of having passed red or brown colored urine. Coagulation defect was seen in 89% patients. The hematological and biochemical laboratory abnormalities were: Anemia (80.7%), leukocytosis (75%), thrombocytopenia (47.7%), hyperkalemia (25%), severe metabolic acidosis (39.8%), hepatic dysfunction (40.9%), hemolysis (85.2%) and rhabdomyolysis (68.2%). Main complications were: Gastrointestinal bleed (12.5%), seizure/encephalopathy (10.2%), hypertension, pneumonia/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (9.1% each), hypotension and multi organ failure (MOF) (4.5% each). Eighty-two percent patients required renal replacement therapy. One hundred and ten (90.9%) patient survived and 11 (9.1%) patients died. As compared to the survival group, the white blood cell count (P = 0.023) and bilirubin levels (P = 0.006) were significant higher and albumin levels were significantly lower (0.005) in patients who died. The proportion of patients with pneumonia/ARDS (P = 0.001), seizure/encephalopathy (P = 0.005), MOF (P = 0.05) and need for intensive care unit support (0.001) was significantly higher and duration of hospital stay was significantly shorter (P = 0.012) in patients who died. Kidney biopsy was done in total of 22 patients. Predominant lesion on kidney biopsy was acute tubular necrosis (ATN) in 20 (91%) cases. In 11 cases had severe ATN and in other nine (41%) cases kidney biopsy showed features of ATN associated with mild to moderate acute interstitial nephritis (AIN). One patient only had moderate AIN and one had patchy renal cortical necrosis (RCN).

CONCLUSION

AKI due to snake bite is severe and a high proportion requires renal replacement therapy. On renal histology ATN and AIN are common, RCN is rare.

Acute kidney injury due to multiple Hymenoptera stings-a clinicopathological study

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) after multiple Hymenoptera stings is well known but still a rare phenomenon.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of the clinicopathological spectrum of AKI due to multiple Hymenoptera stings over 13 years (July 2003-June 2016).

Results

A total of 35 patients were diagnosed with AKI due to multiple Hymenoptera stings. The mean age of the patients was 44.7 ± 17.4 years and the majority (60%) were men. Haematological and biochemical laboratory abnormalities included anaemia (97.1%), leucocytosis (54.3%), hyperkalaemia (68.6%), severe metabolic acidosis (51.4%), hepatic dysfunction (74.3%), haemolysis (91.4%) and rhabdomyolysis (62.9%). The main complications included acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and encephalopathy in four (11.4%) patients each; gastrointestinal bleeding, hypertension and panniculitis in two (5.7%) patients each and one (2.9%) patient each developed intra-abdominal bleeding, stroke and polyserositis. Twenty-nine (83%) patients required dialysis. Ten (29%) patients died. A higher white blood cell count (P = 0.05) and the complications of ARDS (P = 0.004) and encephalopathy (P = 0.004) were associated with mortality. The kidney functions normalized at 5.5 ± 2.6 weeks in patients who survived. Kidney biopsy was done in 13 patients. The predominant lesion was acute tubular necrosis (ATN) with or without pigmented granular cast in 10 (77%) patients. In four (30.8%) patients, the kidney biopsy showed severe ATN and in the other six (46.2%), the kidney biopsy showed features of ATN associated with mild to moderate acute interstitial nephritis (AIN). In three (23%) patients the histopathological examination revealed only moderate AIN and these patients were treated with a short course of steroids.

Conclusions

AKI due to multiple Hymenoptera stings is severe and is associated with high mortality. On renal histology, ATN and AIN are common.

Snake Bite-Induced Acute Kidney Injury: Report of a Successful Outcome During Pregnancy

AbstractSnake bite is an important health hazard in tropics. Snake envenomation in pregnancy may cause fetal death and maternal mortality or morbidity. However, little is known about the toxic effects and optimal management during pregnancy after snake envenomation because of the rarity of cases. Herein, we report a case of a pregnant woman who was successfully treated for snake bite-induced acute kidney injury during the third trimester. She was treated with equine-derived polyvalent anti-snake venom without development of any adverse effects, hemodialysis, and supportive therapy. She fully recovered and subsequently gave birth to a healthy child.

Prevalence and severity of disordered mineral metabolism in patients with chronic kidney disease: A study from a tertiary care hospital in India

BACKGROUND

Disordered mineral metabolism is common complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, there are limited data on the pattern of these disturbances in Indian CKD population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a prospective observational study of CKD-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) over a period of 3 years. The biochemical markers of CKD-MBD, namely, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), and 25-hydoxyvitamin Vitamin D3 (25OHD), were measured in newly diagnosed CKD Stage 3-5 and prevalent CKD Stage 5D adult patients.

RESULTS

A total of 462 patients of CKD Stage 3-5D were studied. The frequency of various biochemical abnormalities was hypocalcemia (23.8%), hypercalcemia (5.4%), hypophosphatemia (2.8%), hyperphosphatemia (55.4%), raised alkaline phosphatase (56.9%), secondary hyperparathyroidism (82.7%), and hypoparathyroidism (1.5%). 25OHD was done in 335 (72.5%) patients and 90.4% were found to have Vitamin D deficiency. About 70.6% of the patients had iPTH levels were above kidney disease outcomes quality initiative (KDOQI) target range. Nondiabetic CKD as compared to diabetic CKD had a higher alkaline phosphatase (P = 0.016), a higher iPTH (P = 0.001) a higher proportion of patients with iPTH above KDOQI target range (P = 0.09), and an elevated alkaline phosphatase (P = 0.004). The 25OHD levels were suggestive of severe Vitamin D deficiency in 33.7%, Vitamin D deficiency in 45.4%, and Vitamin D insufficiency in 11.3% patients. There was a significant positive correlation between iPTH with alkaline phosphatase (r = 0.572, P = 0.001), creatinine (r = 0.424, P = 0.001), and phosphorus (r = 0.241, P = 0.001) and a significant negative correlation with hemoglobin (r = -0.325, 0.001), age (r = -0.169, P = 0.002), and 25OHD (r = -0.126, P = 0.021). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, an elevated alkaline phosphatase was a significant predictor of hyperparathyroidism (odds ratio 9.7, 95% confidence interval 4.9-19.2, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a high prevalence of CKD-MBD in Indian CKD patients. CKD-MBD is more common and more severe and has an early onset as compared to the western populations.

Volkmann's ischemic contracture: An unusual complication of arterio-venous fistula

Native arterio-venous fistulae (AVF) are vascular access of first choice for chronic hemodialysis. However, AVF are also associated with many adverse events like: primary or secondary failure, infection, lymphedema, stenosis, thrombosis, and ischemia of distal extremities. The most common ischemia related complications of AVF are: ischemic neuropathy and steal syndrome with its consequences like pain and peripheral necrosis. Ischemic muscle contracture is a rare complication of AVF. Herein, we are reporting a case of Volkmann's ischemic contracture developing after creation of brachiocephalic AVF.

The safety and efficacy of high dose ferric carboxymaltose in patients with chronic kidney disease: A single center study

Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) is a parenteral, dextran-free iron formulation designed to overcome the limitations of existing intravenous (IV) iron preparations. We investigated the safety and efficacy of high dose administration of FCM in our anemic chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. It was a prospective observational study from June 2011 to August 2013. FCM was administered as IV infusion 1000 mg in 250 ml of normal saline over 15-30 min. Efficacy was evaluated by comparing the Hb and/or serum iron status at the first follow-up visit after the infusion with that at the baseline. A total of 500 infusions were administered to 450 patients. All patients had a successful administration of the FCM. None of the patients had any serious drug-related AE. AE of mild to moderate severity observed or reported after the infusion were: accelerated hypertension (0.2%), feeling abnormal (0.6%), headache and bodyaches (0.6% each), and infusion site reaction (0.8%). 261 patients had a follow up Hb, which showed an increase of 1.7 ± 1.5 g/dl after a period of 11 ± 7.2 weeks (P = 0.001); 188 (72%) patients had a rise in Hb of ≥1 g/dl. The increase in Hb was observed uniformly across all stages of CKD. Proportions of patients with an Hb of above 10 and 11 g/dl increased from 30.2% to 62.8% and 16.1% to 37.9%, respectively (P = 0.001). Iron status evaluation done in 44 patients after a follow up period of 15.1 ± 11.5 weeks showed increases in Hb of 1.6 ± 2.2 g/dl (P = 0.001), transferrin saturation of 9.1 ± 16.9% (P = 0.001), and ferritin of 406 ± 449 ng/ml (P = 0.001). We conclude high dose administration of FCM is safe and well-tolerated. It was effective in the treatment of iron deficiency in nondialysis and peritoneal dialysis CKD patients.

Sodium stibogluconate-associated acute interstitial nephritis in a patient treated for visceral leishmaniasis

The spectrum of side-effects of sodium stibogluconate is well described. Patients treated with sodium stibogluconate can develop varied manifestations of renal toxicity, ranging from renal cell casts, proteinuria, renal tubular acidosis and acute tubular necrosis, resulting in acute kidney injury (AKI). We describe a 32-year-old male patient who was treated for visceral leishmaniasis with sodium stibogluconate. The patient was readmitted two weeks after completion of the treatment for evaluation of AKI. Kidney biopsy revealed marked acute interstitial nephritis. The renal dysfunction reversed totally after a course of corticosteroids. Antimonials should be recognized as a new class of agents as a possible cause of drug-induced acute interstitial nephritis.

Long-term clinical outcomes of peritoneal dialysis patients: 9-year experience of a single center from north India

OBJECTIVE

There is a paucity of published data on the outcome of maintenance peritoneal dialysis (PD) since the initiation of continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD) in India in 1991. The purpose of this study is to report long-term clinical outcomes of PD patients at a single center.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

A government-owned tertiary-care hospital in North India.

PATIENTS

Patients who were initiated on CAPD between October 2002 and June 2011, and who survived and/or had more than 6 months' follow-up on this treatment with last follow-up till December 31, 2011, were studied.

RESULTS

A total of 60 patients were included in the analysis. The mean age of the patients was 60.2 ± 9.2 years. The majority (65%) of the patients lived in rural areas. A high proportion (47%) were diabetic and 62% had ≥ 2 comorbidities. Total duration on peritoneal dialysis treatment was 1,773 patient-months (148 patient-years) with a mean duration of 29.6 ± 23 patient-months and median duration of 25 patient-months (range 6 - 110 patient-months). Overall patient and technique survival at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years was 77%, 53%, 25%, 15%, and 10% respectively. Patient survival of diabetics vs non-diabetics at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years was 68% vs 84%, 54% vs 53%, 14% vs 34%, 11% vs 19%, and 11% vs 13%, respectively. The mortality in non-diabetics (16/32) was less than that in diabetic (18/28) patients (p = not significant). The main cause of mortality in these patients was cardiac followed by sepsis. There were 58 episodes of peritonitis. The rate of peritonitis was 1 episode per 30.6 patient-months or 0.39 episodes per patient-year. Furthermore, the total number of episodes of peritonitis and number of episodes of peritonitis per patient were higher in the non-survival group (p < 0.05). The incidence of tuberculosis (TB), herpes zoster (HZ) and hernias was 15%, 10% and 5% respectively.

CONCLUSION

The study reports long-term outcomes of the PD patients, the majority of whom were elderly with a high burden of comorbidities. There was a high proportion of diabetics. The survival of diabetic vs non-diabetic and elderly vs non-elderly PD patients was similar in our study. The mortality in non-diabetics was less than that in diabetic patients. TB and HZ were common causes of morbidity. Peritonitis was associated with mortality in these patients.

Scrub typhus associated acute kidney injury--a study from a tertiary care hospital from western Himalayan State of India

OBJECTIVE

To report the clinical profile of acute kidney injury (AKI) associated with scrub typhus.

METHODS

Retrospective study of hospitalized patients of acute febrile illness who were diagnosed scrub typhus and had AKI.

RESULTS

174 (35%) patients (75.9% female), mean age (41.4 ± 15.9 years) were studied. The laboratory abnormalities were: anemia (63.2%), leukocytosis (44.3%), thrombocytopenia (61.5%), hyponatremia (35.6%), hypernatremia (2.9%), and hypokalemia (12.1%), hyperkalemia (11.5%), hypoalbuminemia (56.9%), hepatic dysfunction (70%) and metabolic acidosis (28.7%). The complications of hypotension (5.7%), septic shock (3.4%), pneumonia (10.9%), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (11.5%), meningoencephalitis (6.9%), encephalopathy (5.2%), gastrointestinal bleed (1.3%), myocarditis (3.4%), disseminated intravascular coagulation (2.9%) and multi organ failure (MOF) (10.3%) developed during course of hospitalization in these patients. Twenty-five (14.4%) patients required intensive care support (ICU) support and seven (4%) patients were dialyzed. 146 (83.9%) patients survived. Twenty-eight (16.1%) patients died. There was a significant difference in the age, various hematological & biochemical abnormalities, complications and need for ICU support in the non-survival group as compared the survival group.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that AKI in scrub typhus is common and a severe disease. Age, a shorter hospital stay, severities of leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, azotemia, hypoalbuminemia, hepatic dysfunction and the complications of ARDS, encephalopathy, MOF and need for ICU support are the factors associated with mortality.

Hypothyroidism presenting as reversible renal impairment: an interesting case report

We describe an interesting case of reversible renal impairment secondary to hypothyroidism. A 57-years-old man was referred from peripheral institution for evaluation of elevated serum creatinine. He had vague complaints of weakness, lethargy and muscle ache but no urinary symptoms. He was found to have hypothyroidism, and thyroid hormone replacement therapy (THRT) was started which resulted in reversal of the renal dysfunction. There was marked improvement in estimated glomerular filtration rate. 99mTc DTPA renal scans done before and after THRT suggested hypothyroidism responsible for this reversible renal impairment. Several studies have described the pathophysiology of diminished renal function in hypothyroidism. Few studies or case reports have shown total amelioration of renal impairment as seen in our patient. The etiology is presumed to be multifactorial, in which hemodynamic effects and a direct effect of thyroid hormone on the kidney play an important role. We suggest that patients with renal impairment of unknown cause have thyroid function tests undertaken as part of routine investigation.

Microbiological aspects of peritonitis in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

The objective of the study was to identify the microbiological spectrum and drug-sensitivity pattern of peritonitis in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. This was a prospective study done over a period of a year-and-a-half at a tertiary-care hospital in a hilly state of India. The effluent dialysate bags from 36 consecutive patients with peritonitis were studied. One hunderd ml dialysate fluid was processed under aseptic conditions by lysis centrifugation method. Microscopy and culture was done from the deposits for bacteriological, fungal, and mycobacterial isolates. They were identified by colony morphology and their biochemical reactions. Drug susceptibility testing was done by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. In 36 dialysates, 33 (91.6%) dialysates were culture-positive and in 3 (8.4%), the culture was negative. A total of 36 microorganisms were isolated in 33 cultures. Among the 36 microorganisms, 19 (52.8%) isolates were gram-positive, 10 (27.8%) were gram-negative, 5 (13.9%) were fungi, and 2 (5.6%) were mycobacterial isolates. All gram-positive organisms were sensitive to ampicillin, amoxi-clavulanic acid, cefazolin, clindamycin, and vancomycin. Neither a methicillin-resistant Staphylococci aureus nor a vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus was isolated in gram-positive isolates. Gram-negative organisms were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, cefepime, gentamicin, piperacillin–tazobactam and imipenem. One of the gram-negative isolate was an extended spectrum beta-lactamase producer. Gram-positive peritonitis was more frequent than gram-negative peritonitis in our continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients. Mycobacterial causes were responsible for peritonitis in patients with culture-negative peritonitis which was not responding to the conventional antimicrobial therapy.

Spectrum of acute kidney injury in the Himalayan region

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in hospitalized patients and is an important cause of mortality. This is a descriptive study of AKI in patients from Himachal Pradesh, India, located in Western Himalayan region. Over a period of 1 year, 102 patients with clinical and laboratory evidence of azotemia were included. Out of 102 patients, 84.3% had community acquired AKI and 15.7% had hospital acquired AKI. Medical causes were leading contributors (85.3%), with septicemia being the main factor (33.3%). Multiorgan failure was present in 59.8% patients. The overall mortality was 29.2%, and community acquired AKI was associated with higher mortality as compared to hospital-acquired AKI (22.5% vs 6.7%). AKI is still common in community and associated with high mortality. Septicemia, volume depletion and nephrotoxins were the leading cause of AKI in our study. Our study highlights the presence of hypotension, multiorgan failure and oliguria with mortality. Community-acquired AKI had higher mortality than hospital-acquired AKI.