Exercise proteinuria and hematuria: current knowledge and future directions

INTRODUCTION

Transient proteinuria and hematuria are apparently benign sequelae of intensive physical activity. However, there is a need to establish underlying causes and reasons for progression to chronic renal damage, as well as effects of training in healthy individuals and in those with microalbuminuria.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

The Ovid/Health Star database was searched from 1994 to November 2014. Terms for the kidneys (adverse effects, blood supply, epidemiology, injuries, pathology, physiology and secretion) and proteinuria (classification, complications, epidemiology, etiology, mortality, physiopathology, prevention and control) with terms related to physical activity (physical activity/motor activity, exercise/exercise therapy, fitness/physical fitness, physical education/physical education and training, and rehabilitation).

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Review of 519 abstracts yielded 194 relevant hits, supplemented by 70 items from other sources. This material related to both healthy adults (125 items) and renal disease (139 items). The prevalence (18-100%) and duration (1-6 days) of exercise proteinuria varied widely, with risks affected by exercise intensity, posture, age, heat load, altitude and disease. Moderate training reduced exercise proteinuria in healthy individuals and in chronic renal disease. Factors contributing to exercise proteinuria may include vascular changes, hypoxia, lactate accumulation, oxidant stress, hormonal changes and sepsis. Exercise hematuria is frequent; some potential causes are similar to those for proteinuria, but foot-strike and bladder trauma are probably more important. Progression to permanent renal damage is rare.

CONCLUSIONS

Exercise proteinuria and hematuria are generally transient. However, there remains a need to clarify causation and factors leading to permanent renal damage.

Renal epithelial proliferation and its clinical expression in Brown Norway (BN) rats

Renal epithelial proliferation has previously been found to be a common condition in a colony of Lewis × Brown Norway (BN) F2 hybrid rats. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and clinical consequences of this condition in pure inbred BN and Lewis rats. Renal epithelial proliferation was found in 29 of 49 BN rats (59%) examined and in four of 50 Lewis rats (8%) examined. Serum creatinine and serum corticosterone was not influenced by the condition. Haematuria was more common in BN rats with (74%) than without renal papillary proliferation (35%, P < 0.05), but it may not be used to diagnose renal epithelial proliferation, as we found rats having renal epithelial proliferation without showing haematuria and rats showing haematuria without having renal epithelial proliferation. Haematuria was also common in Lewis rats (16-56% dependent of age and gender), in which renal epithelial proliferation were found in only 8%. Fluctuating asymmetry, which was used as a measure of developmental instability, was found to be increased in rats with renal epithelial proliferation ( P < 0.05). Haematuria was also found to be related to the degree of fluctuating asymmetry ( P < 0.01). Although the prevalence of renal epithelial proliferation is clearly higher in BN rats than in Lewis rats ( P < 0.01), and although in previous reports the condition was found in F2 BN × Lewis hybrids and not in F1 BN × Lewis hybrids it cannot clearly be defined as having been caused by a single Mendelian gene, as we found it in both inbred strains. Futhermore, we found that morphologically the proliferations could be placed on the papillary as well as the medullary wall of the renal pelvis, while previously it has only been described on the papillary wall.

The Natural Course of Biopsy-Proven Isolated Microscopic Hematuria: a Single Center Experience of 350 Patients

The increasing interest in healthcare and health screening events is revealing additional cases of asymptomatic isolated microscopic hematuria (IMH). However, a consensus of the evaluation and explanation of the IMH prognosis is controversial among physicians. Here, we present the natural course of IMH together with the pathological diagnosis and features to provide supportive data when approaching patients with IMH. We retrospectively evaluated 350 patients with IMH who underwent a renal biopsy between 2002 and 2011, and the pathological diagnosis and chronic histopathological features (glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis, and tubular atrophy) were reviewed. Deterioration of renal function was examined during follow up. The patients with IMH were evaluated for a mean of 86 months. IgA nephropathy was the most common diagnosis in 164 patients (46.9%). Chronic histopathological changes were observed in 166 (47.4%) but was not correlated with proteinuria or a decline in renal function. Ten patients developed proteinuria, and all of them had IgA nephropathy. Three patients progressed to chronic kidney disease with an estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) but none progressed to end stage renal disease. In conclusion, IMH had a generally benign course during 7-years of observation, although IgA nephropathy should be monitored if it progresses to proteinuria. Future prospective randomized studies may help conclude the long-term prognosis and lead to a consensus for managing IMH.

Renal Biopsy in 2015--From Epidemiology to Evidence-Based Indications

BACKGROUND

Although the number of patients reaching end-stage kidney disease without a biopsy-proven diagnosis is increasing, the utility of renal biopsy is still an object of debate. We analyzed epidemiological data and the main indications for renal biopsy with a systematic, evidence-based review at current literature.

SUMMARY

There is a high discrepancy observed in biopsy rates and in the epidemiology of glomerular diseases worldwide, related to the different time frame of the analyzed reports, lack of data collection, the different reference source population and the heterogeneity of indications. The evidence-based analysis of indications showed that renal biopsy should be crucial in adults with nephrotic syndrome or urinary abnormalities as coexistent hematuria and proteinuria and in corticosteroid resistant-children with severe proteinuria. The knowledge of renal histology can change the clinical management in patients with acute kidney injury significantly, after the exclusion of pre-renal or obstructive causes of kidney damage. Scarce evidence indicates that renal biopsy can be useful in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease and its use should always be considered after weighing the benefits and potential risks. Renal biopsy should be crucial in patients with renal involvement due to systemic disease. In patients with diabetes with atypical features, renal biopsy may be fundamental to diagnose an unexpected parenchymal disease mislabeled as diabetic nephropathy. Finally, in elderly patients, the indications and the risks are not different from those in the general population.

KEY MESSAGE

Renal biopsy still remains a concrete approach for managing a substantial percentage of renal diseases.

Life-threatening hematuria in a hemodialysis patient with systemic light-chain amyloidosis

BACKGROUND

Direct amyloid invasion of prostate tissue resulting in massive bleeding may be fatal, and rapid diagnosis is difficult.

CASE REPORT

A 71-y-old male undergoing regular hemodialysis with primary light-chain (AL) amyloidosis was admitted due to gross hematuria for 2 days. Cystoscopy revealed oozing from the prostatic urethra. Therefore, electrocauterization was performed, and his symptoms resolved. Unfortunately, he experienced recurrent massive hematuria 3 months later. Tests for serum D-dimer and fibrin degradation products were both positive. Followed serum factor X level was low at 5.4%. Gross hematuria persisted despite of blood transfusions, desmopressin, and vitamin K therapy. Emergent cystoscopy revealed oozing from the prostatic urethra, as was found previously. Therefore, electrocauterization and transurethral resection of the prostate were performed. Analysis of a biopsy specimen of prostate demonstrated strong amyloid deposition in the vascular and perivascular regions. Electron microscopy showed relatively straight fibrils with diameters of 7-10nm in the perivascular region. Gross hematuria subsided then, and no recurrence was noted at a 6-month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Systemic AL amyloidosis can cause potentially life-threatening hemorrhage. Hemostatic defects and direct invasion with amyloid angiopathy are main pathogenic factors. Timely surgical intervention may be imperative.

Isolated microscopic haematuria of glomerular origin: clinical significance and diagnosis in the 21st century

Isolated microscopic, or non-visible, haematuria of glomerular origin was previously regarded a benign finding, but it is now known that, even in the absence of proteinuria, hypertension or renal impairment at presentation, haematuria is associated with increased risk of kidney failure in the long term. The most common causes of isolated microscopic haematuria among children and young adults are IgA nephropathy, Alport syndrome (AS), and thin basement membrane nephropathy (TBMN). AS, which is usually inherited as an X-linked or autosomal recessive trait, and TBMN, which is usually autosomal dominant, are caused by mutations in the genes encoding type-IV collagen, an abundant component of the glomerular basement membrane. A detailed family history with screening of at-risk relatives is important, allowing prompt diagnosis of affected relatives and helping determine the mode of transmission. As costs fall and availability increases, genetic testing is increasingly being used in clinical practice to provide diagnostic and predictive information for patients and their families.

UriSed as an Alternative to Phase-Contrast Microscopy in the Differentiation between Glomerular and Non-Glomerular Hematuria

BACKGROUND

Differentiation between glomerular and non-glomerular hematuria by observation of the erythrocyte morphology using phase-contrast is a time-consuming and labor-intensive procedure that requires skilled personnel. This paper has the purpose to evaluate the performance of UriSed (also called sediMAX in some countries) as an alternative to the phase-contrast microscopic analysis of erythrocyte morphology.

METHODS

312 urine samples with hematuria were analyzed by UriSed and by phase-contrast microscopy. Based on the presence of codocytes and/or acanthocytes, samples were classified as non-glomerular and glomerular. Kappa correlation was used to assess the agreement between both methods.

RESULTS

Our data showed excellent agreement between erythrocyte morphology analyzed by both methods (r = 0.974, kappa = 0.9484, p < 0.001) with only 8 samples presenting discordant results.

CONCLUSIONS

UriSed proved to be a precise and accurate alternative to the gold standard phase-contrast microscopy.

Haematuria increases progression of advanced proteinuric kidney disease

Background

Haematuria has been traditionally considered as a benign hallmark of some glomerular diseases; however new studies show that haematuria may decrease renal function.

Objective

To determine the influence of haematuria on the rate of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression in 71 proteinuric patients with advanced CKD (baseline eGFR <30 mL/min) during 12 months of follow-up.

Results

The mean rate of decline in eGFR was higher in patients with both haematuria and proteinuria (haemoproteinuria, HP, n=31) than in patients with proteinuria alone (P patients, n=40) (-3.8±8.9 vs 0.9±9.5 mL/min/1.73m2/year, p<0.05, respectively). The deleterious effect of haematuria on rate of decline in eGFR was observed in patients <65 years (-6.8±9.9 (HP) vs. 0.1±11.7 (P) mL/min/1.73m2/year, p<0.05), but not in patients >65 years (-1.2±6.8 (HP) vs. 1.5±7.7 (P) mL/min/1.73m2/year). Furthermore, the harmful effect of haematuria on eGFR slope was found patients with proteinuria >0.5 g/24 h (-5.8±6.4 (HP) vs. -1.37± 7.9 (P) mL/min/1.73m2/year, p<0.05), whereas no significant differences were found in patients with proteinuria < 0.5 g/24 h (-0.62±7.4 (HP) vs. 3.4±11.1 (P) mL/min/1.73m2/year). Multivariate analysis reported that presence of haematuria was significantly and independently associated with eGFR deterioration after adjusting for traditional risk factors, including age, serum phosphate, mean proteinuria and mean serum PTH (β=-4.316, p=0.025).

Conclusions

The presence of haematuria is closely associated with a faster decrease in renal function in advanced proteinuric CKD patients, especially in younger CKD patients with high proteinuria levels; therefore this high risk subgroup of patients would benefit of intensive medical surveillance and treatment.

Clinical features of children with pulmonary microscopic polyangiitis: report of 9 cases

Kidneys and lungs are the most common organs involved in microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). A retrospective analysis of pediatric MPA patients with pulmonary lesions over the past 10 years was performed to investigate clinical features of MPA in children with pulmonary lesions. There were 9 patients enrolled in our study, including 2 boys and 7 girls, with a median age of 6.6 years at the time of disease onset and a median disease course of 2 months. All of the patients exhibited tachypnea, and 7 exhibited cough and hemoptysis. The most common presentation on pulmonary imaging was ground glass or patchy shadows, which were observed in 6 cases. Seven patients manifested with hematuria and proteinuria, with renal histopathology of fibrinoid necrosis/exudation of the glomerular capillaries. All of the patients presented with normocytic normochromic anemia. Of the 9 patients, 7 were positive for perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (p-ANCA) and/or myeloperoxidase (MPO), and 2 were positive for p-ANCA/MPO and cytoplasmic ANCA/proteinase 3. Eight patients had normal complement 3 (C3) levels, and one had an elevated C3 level. Five of the 9 patients were positive for antinuclear antibody ANA, and 4 were positive for double strand DNA (ds-DNA) antibody (3 were positive for both). The 7 patients who exhibited renal involvement received steroid plus cyclophosphamide (CTX) treatment. Of these patients, 4 achieved various degrees of remission, 2 were at the beginning of induction therapy, and one was lost to follow-up. Two patients with isolated pulmonary involvement received steroid plus leflunomide treatment and achieved complete remission. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage was the most frequent presentation of lung involvement in children with MPA, and tachypnea, cough, hemoptysis and anemia were the common clinical symptoms. The majority of these patients exhibited hematuria, proteinuria and renal insufficiency. The efficacy of steroid plus CTX or leflunomide was evident in these patients.

Haematuria in postrenal transplant patients

Haematuria has a prevalence of 12% in the postrenal transplant patient population. It heralds potentially dangerous causes which could threaten graft loss. It is important to consider causes in light of the unique, urological, and immunological standpoints of these patients. We review the literature on common causes of haematuria in postrenal transplant patients and suggest the salient approach to the evaluation of this condition. A major cause of haematuria is urinary tract infections. There should be a higher index of suspicion for mycobacterial, fungal, and viral infection in this group of immunosuppressed patients. Measures recommended in the prevention of urinary tract infections include early removal of foreign bodies as well as prophylactic antibiotics during the early transplant phase. Another common cause of haematuria is that of malignancies, in particular, renal cell carcinomas. When surgically managing cancer in the setting of a renal transplant, one has to be mindful of the limited retropubic space and the need to protect the anastomoses. Other causes include graft rejections, recurrences of primary disease, and calculus formation. It is important to perform a comprehensive evaluation with the aid of an experienced multidisciplinary transplant team.

Uncommun etiology of pediatric Hematuria: urethral lymphangioma

We report a case of urethral cystic lymphangioma. Hematuria is the revealing symptom. Im our knowledge, is the third case described in literature.

Chinese Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Treatment and Research Group Registry VI: Effect of Cigarette Smoking on the Clinical Phenotype of Chinese Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

OBJECTIVES

Our study aimed to investigate the effect of cigarette smoking on the clinical phenotype of patients registered in the Chinese Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Treatment and Research (CSTAR) group registry database, the first online registry of Chinese patients with SLE.

METHODS

A prospective cross-sectional study of Chinese SLE patients was conducted using the CSTAR. Our case-control analysis was performed on age- and gender-matched subjects to explore the potential effect of cigarette smoking on the clinical manifestation of SLE.

RESULTS

Smokers comprised 8.9% (65/730) of patients, and the ratio of females/males was 19/46. Thirty-nine patients were current smokers, and 26 were ex-smokers. Data showed significant differences between smokers and nonsmokers in the following areas: nephropathy (58.5% vs. 39.2%; p = 0.003), microscopic hematuria (30.8% vs. 19.1%; p = 0.025), proteinuria (53.8% vs. 34.4%; p = 0.002), and SLE Disease Activity Index(DAI) scores (12.38±8.95 vs. 9.83±6.81; p = 0.028). After adjusting for age and gender, significant differences between smokers and nonsmokers were found with photosensitivity (35.9% vs. 18%; p = 0.006), nephropathy (59.4% vs. 39.8%; p = 0.011), and proteinuria (54.7% vs. 35.2%). Although smokers tended to have greater disease severity compared with nonsmokers (SLEDAI scores: 12.58±8.89 vs.10.5±7.09), the difference was not significant (p = 0.081).

CONCLUSIONS

Cigarette smoking triggers the development and exacerbation of SLE, especially with respect to renal involvement. Chinese smokers with SLE should be advised to discontinue cigarette use.

Relationship between hospital volume and hemorrhagic complication after percutaneous renal biopsy: results from the Japanese diagnosis procedure combination database

BACKGROUND

Although hemorrhagic complications are major complications of percutaneous renal biopsy (PRB), the relationship between procedure volume and morbidity remains unclear for PRB. The present study investigated the impact of hospital volume on the occurrence of hemorrhagic complications after PRB.

METHODS

Using large claims-based data in the diagnosis procedure combination database in Japan, we identified inpatients with renal disorders who underwent PRB within 4 days after admission during July to December 2007 to 2010. We assessed patient age, sex, clinical syndromes, hemorrhagic complications and diagnoses, and annual hospital volume of PRB divided into quintiles. Multivariate logistic regression analyses fitted with a generalized estimation equation were performed accounting for within-hospital clustering.

RESULTS

A total of 15,191 patients were identified from 942 hospitals. The overall proportion of hemorrhagic complications was 2.1 %, including diagnoses of hemorrhagic events (1.6 %), red blood cell transfusion (0.5 %), and requiring angiography or endovascular procedure (0.1 %). In-hospital deaths attributable to the complications occurred in 0.06 % of the patients. Patients with rapidly progressive nephritic syndrome (odds ratio 3.41, 95 % confidence interval 2.22-5.25) had significantly higher incidence than those with chronic nephritic syndrome. No significant association was observed between hospital volume and hemorrhagic complications, with odds ratios for the low-intermediate, intermediate, intermediate-high, and high-volume groups relative to the low-volume group of 0.74 (0.43-1.26), 1.19 (0.74-1.92), 1.16 (0.67-2.00), and 1.35 (0.78-2.34), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

No significant relationship was observed between hemorrhagic complication incidence and hospital volume regarding PRB.

Clinicopathologic features and treatment outcome of urinary bladder neoplasm

More than ninety percent of bladder neoplasm is Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC). About 85% of patients present with symptom of painless haematuria. However haematuria is quite often intermittent so that a negative result has little meaning in ruling out the presence of bladder cancer. The present study was conducted to observe the natural history of different clinicopathologic stages of bladder cancer after transurethral resection bladder tumor (TURBT), either intravescical chemotherapy (IVC) or immunotherapy with BCG and of other forms of therapy like radio-chemotherapy (RCT) and radical surgery in few cases. A consecutive series of 52 cases with different grades and stages of bladder cancer patients were studied. Those who were noncompliant with surgery were sent for RCT. The age range of the patients was 34 to 75 with mean 53 year. Macroscopic haematuria, flank pain, microscopic haematuria, bladder irritability was found in 43(82.7%), 06(11.5%), 03(5.8%), 32(61.5%) cases respectively and coincidental ureteral TCC with hydronephrosis was found in 04(7.7%) cases for whom radical nephreureterectomy and cystectomy with ileal conduit was done. Amongst the other muscle invasive tumor only three cases were compliant to do radical surgery; rest were advised to consult with oncologist for possible RCT. Superficial bladder cancer was 19(36.5%) and invasive bladder cancer was 33(63.5%). TURBT and IVT were offered for all superficial bladder tumors. Of them 06(31.5%) patients showed recurrence during the study period. More recurrences occur in IVC group (35.7%) than immunotherapy with BCG group (20%) Re-TURBT and stage wise treatment was offered to them. All recurrent cases were G-3 tumor and were multifocal. Recurrence rate is about 30%. Screening program and structured referral system should be developed to have early diagnosis for prompt treatment and best prognosis.

Significance of histological crescent formation in patients with diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis

BACKGROUND

Although crescentic nephritis is not rare in diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis (DPLN), little is known about the clinicopathological features in DPLN with crescents worldwide. This study was undertaken to investigate the clinicopathological features and outcome of Chinese DPLN patients with different degrees of crescents.

METHODS

520 DPLN patients with more than 10% histological crescents (cDPLN) were enrolled in this retrospective study. They were divided into three groups: group 1 (10%≤ crescents <25%, n = 240), group 2 (25%≤ crescents <50%, n = 160), and group 3 (crescents ≥50%, n = 120). Another 100 patients without histological crescents were enrolled as a control group. Clinicopathological features, treatment responses, and outcomes were compared among the four groups.

RESULTS

There were 450 (86.6%) females and 70 (13.4%) males with an average age of 31.7 ± 11.4 years. Compared with the control group, cDPLN patients had shorter lupus nephritis duration (20.7 ± 34.1 vs. 30.4 ± 48.9 months), higher prevalence of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis syndrome (21.8%), and gross hematuria (26.7%). Laboratory findings indicated more severe hypoproteinemia, hyperlipidemia, and renal insufficiency; heavier proteinuria and microscopic hematuria; higher tubular injury parameters, and lower serological activity in crescentic groups. Histologically, cDPLN patients have severe glomerular and tubulointerstitial lesions as well as extensive leukocyte infiltration together with a lesser degree of immune complex deposition. The proportion of death, end-stage renal disease, and treatment failure correlates positively with the degree of histological crescents.

CONCLUSIONS

cDPLN patients with acute onset and short disease duration mostly show severe renal manifestations, less extrarenal organ involvement, lower serological activity, serious capillary necrosis, severe tubulointerstitial inflammation, atrophy and fibrosis, prominent leukocyte infiltration, less glomerular immune complex deposition, poor treatment response, and worse renal outcome.

[Multicenter investigation of therapeutic status of children with IgA nephropathy in China]

OBJECTIVE

Data of general status of clinical presentation and therapy of IgA nephropathy in children in China are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the clinical presentations and treatment status of children with IgA nephropathy in China.

METHOD

The investigation was organized by Chinese Society of Pediatric Nephrology. Thirty five centers from 23 provinces/municipalities of China participated in the study. Children no more than 18 years old who were diagnosed by renal biopsy as IgA nephropathy from July 1, 2008 to June 20, 2011 were included. The data on clinical presentations and treatment methods were collected. Descriptive method was used for data analysis.

RESULT

Totally 1417 children aged from 0.5 to 18 years old were included. The median age was 10.0 years old. Children more than 6 years old accounted for 89.8%. Most of the children presented with hematuria and proteinuria (37.0%), nephrotic syndrome type accounted for 30.6%, isolated hematuria type accounted for 15.8%, acute glomerulonephritis type accounteed for 12.7%, chronic glomerulonephritis type accounted for 1.8%, acute rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis type accounted for 1.3%, isolated proteinuria type accounted for 0.8%. The common drug used for children with hematuria and proteinuria type included angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor(ACEI)/angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARB) (49.6%), oral prednisone (41.4%), intravenous methylprednisolone (20.8%), etc. The therapies with oral prednisone (76.2%), ACEI/ARB (60.5%), cyclophosphamide (40.0%), intravenous methylprednisolone (31.2%) were more often used for children with nephrotic syndrome type.

CONCLUSION

This is the first nationwide investigation on therapy status of children with IgA nephropathy in China. Steroid combined with ACEI/ARB and cyclophosphamide was the main treatment for children with nephrotic syndrome type. The effect of steroid combined with immunosuppressant on other types of IgA nephropathy needs further investigation.

Endovesical leiomyoma of bladder: a case report

Benign mesenchymal tumors cover 0,04-0,5% of all bladder tumors and their major part consists of leiomyomas. Having the smooth muscle tissue origin, these tumors can exhibit intramural, endovesical and extravesical localization in the bladder. Clinically, the irritative and obstructive symptoms, hematuria accompany endovesical leiomyomas. Along side being asymptomatic, intramural and extravesical leiomyomas can sometimes be characterized by mass formation, hematuria, and irritative symptoms, rarely by obstructive symptoms. In the diagnostic process histopathology is of great importance, especially in exclusion of radiologically and cystoscopically indistinguishable lesions. A case of endovesical leiomyoma of bladder in 49 year-old male patient admitted to the hospital with a complaint of hematuria and irritative symptoms is presented. Transurethral resection is performed for the patient with the purpose of treatment and diagnosis, and follow-up with ultrasonography was deemed appropriate once every three months. In the macroscopic examination of the material 4,0 cc of white-and-pink-colored, soft tissue fragments from 0,5 to 1,8 cm in diameter were observed. A well-vascularized tumor tissue composed of spindle cells with uniform and elongated nucleuses and normal urothelial epithelium with no specific features on its surface was observed in the microscopic examination. Recurrence wasn`t observed during 32-month follow-up. As bladder leiomyoma is a rare pathology, generally accepted follow-up scheme for this disease after the treatment isn't reported. For this reason, we did the follow-up of the patient in a minimally invasive way that doesn't comply with the EAU guidelines - ultrasonography of urinary tract was performed on the patient on quarterly basis. After the 32 month-follow-up, no recurrence was seen. As a result, the bladder leiomyoma is a rare, and it requires careful pathological examination. Due to the lack of knowledge about this tumor large scale of studies.

Clinical features associated with a rapid decline in renal function among Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: microscopic hematuria coexisting with diabetic retinopathy

Four patients who exhibited the greatest decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate [12.3-23.5 ml/min/1.73 m(2)/year] among 320 patients with type 2 diabetes and were followed for a median of 6.8 years had several clinical features in common, including marked albuminuria, microhematuria, retinopathy and poor medication adherence.

[Retrospective clinical features and renal pathological analysis of 15 children with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis]

OBJECTIVE

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is a disorder with poor prognosis. This study aimed to improve the diagnosis and treatment of ANCA associated vasculitis of children, to analyze the clinical features, pathological characteristics and the prognosis of children with ANCA-associated vasculitis.

METHOD

Fifteen children with ANCA associated vasculitis who were hospitalized from 2003 to 2012 in our hospital were included. Their data of pre-diagnosis status, clinical manifestations, renal pathology, treatment and prognosis were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULT

Of the 15 children, 11 were girls and 4 boys with a mean age of 10.7 years. Fourteen children were categorized as microscopic polyangitis. The time to diagnosis varied from 0.5 month to 40 months. Hematuria and proteinuria were revealed by urine analysis in all of them, only 6 children complained with gross hematuria or edema of oliguria. Decreased glomerular filtration rate was revealed in 13 children, 8 of whom had a creatinine clearance rate of less than 15 ml/(min·1.73 m(2)). Twelve children underwent renal biopsy, crescent formation was found in 11 children. Most of the crescents were cellular fibrous crescents or fibrous crescents. Six children were diagnosed as crescentic nephritis; the process of rapidly progressive nephritis was only observed in 2 children. Segmental glomerulosclerosis or global glomerulosclerosis were found in 10 children, 3 of them were diagnosed as sclerotic glomerulonephritis. Anemia and pulmonary injury were the most common extra renal manifestations. Other extra renal manifestations included rash, pain joint, gastrointestinal symptoms, abnormal findings of cardiac ultrasonography and headache. Eight children were treated with steroid combined with cyclophosphamide, 4 were treated with steroid and mycophenolate mofetil, 2 were treated with steroid, cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate mofetil, 3 children were treated with plasma exchange. Fourteen children were followed up for 0.5 month to 4 years. The renal function did not recover in children with creatinine clearance rate of less than 30 ml/(min·1.73 m(2)), who showed crescentic glomerulonephritis or sclerotic glomerulonephritis. The children who had creatinine clearance rate of more than 30 ml/(min·1.73 m(2))had better prognosis.

CONCLUSION

More attention should be paid to ANCA-associated vasculitis among school age girls with anemia or pulmonary diseases. The renal damage was serious in children; however, the clinical manifestations were not obvious. Children with a creatinine clearance rate of less than 30 ml/(min·1.73 m(2)) had poor prognosis. Early accurate diagnosis is very important.

[Characteristics of pediatric C3 glomerulopathy with decreased factor H in 3 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To study the characteristics of clinicopathology and prognosis of 3 pediatric cases diagnosed as C3 glomerulopathy, and to improve the understanding of C3 glomerulopathy in children.

METHOD

The medical record, plasma complement C3, Factor H (FH) and its autoantibody, and therapeutic response of the 3 cases were analyzed, and their prognosis were followed up.

RESULT

Of the 3 cases, 2 were male and 1 was female, the age of onset was 9 years, 12 years, 5 years 4 months, the duration from onset to renal biopsy was 3 months, 7 months and 20 days, and the follow-up period were 2.6 years, 8 months and 1.5 years respectively.

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

All the 3 cases showed microscopic hematuria, with or without gross hematuria and proteinuria. Two showed persistently decreased plasma complement C3, in the other one C3 was in normal lower limit, all presented with decreased FH concertration, in 1 case anti-FH antibody was positive. Their clinical diagnosis was post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome (NS) nephritis type, and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis respectively.

PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS

All showed evident deposition of C3 on glomerular basement membrance (GBM) and mesangial region by immunofluorescence (IF) and electron dense deposit in GBM, mesangial region or para-mesangial region by Electron microscopic (EM) examination Treatment and prognosis: The case with NS showed no response to steroid, so steroid was gradually stopped after renal biopsy and replaced by angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor antagonist (ARB). The other two cases were treated with ACEI and renal protective treatment. Of the 3 cases, one gradually showed elevated serum creatinine (Scr) and decreased creatinine clearance rate (Ccr), the other two were normal, but slightly increased indications for early kidney injury.

CONCLUSION

C3 glomerulopathy is characterized by evident C3 deposition under IF. Its clinical and pathological manifestations vary a lot. The decreased plasma C3 and FH suggest that the abnormal regulation of complement system play an importment role in its pathogenesis.

Renal biopsy findings of patients presenting with isolated hematuria: disease associations

BACKGROUND

Most nephrologists have believed that patients with isolated hematuria (IH) generally do not require treatment and have a good prognosis. The aim of this study was to analyze the pathological characteristics and emphasize the importance of renal biopsy for patients with IH.

METHODS

The pathological characteristics of 90 patients with IgA nephropathy confirmed by renal biopsy and presenting with IH were reviewed. We analyzed their pathological features according to the Oxford classification by using light and immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

Total samples included 68 females and 22 males. The age of onset with IH focuses on 20-30 years. At presentation, the focal and/or segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) was the most frequent diagnosis (52.22%). The distribution of hematuria focused on 20-40 thousand. 46.67% of cases had global glomerulosclerosis which excluded the physical glomerular sclerosis, and the incidence of crescent formation was 24.44%. However, the proportion of glomerular sclerosis was mainly concentrated in less than 10%. Direct immunofluorescence showed simple IgA deposition was the most common (43.33%). 46.67% of patients had accompanying complement deposition, and 92.89% had complement 3 deposition. According to the Oxford classification, M(1)S(0)E(0)T(0) accounted for 53.33%. The incidence of M, S, E, and T was 100, 30, 14.44, and 22.22% respectively. 46.67% of patients included two or more pathological lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

FSGS played an important role in patients with IgA nephropathy who presented with IH. For those patients, renal biopsy was a valuable diagnostic tool and should be offered in clinical settings to provide them with maximal potential benefits.