Detection of inflammation following renal ischemia by magnetic resonance imaging

BACKGROUND

Determining the disease culprits in human acute renal failure (ARF) has been difficult because of the paucity of renal biopsies and the lack of noninvasive methods to determine the location or cause of renal injury. Recently, ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) particles have been used to detect inflammation in animal models. Therefore, we tested if USPIO enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could detect inflammation in ischemic ARF in rats.

METHODS

Rats were subjected to 40 or 60 minutes of bilateral ischemia or injected with mercuric chloride. MR images were obtained before and 24 hours after USPIO injection, and the signal intensity decrease in the outer medulla was measured. Cells containing iron particles were identified by iron staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Leukocytes were identified by ED-1 and chloracetate esterase staining.

RESULTS

Injection of USPIO particles caused a black band to appear in the outer medulla at 48, 72, and 120 hours after ischemia. This band was not detected in normal animals, 24 hours after ischemia, or 48 hours after mercuric chloride injection. The signal intensity change in the outer medulla correlated with serum creatinine and the number of iron particle containing cells. Most infiltrating cells were macrophages, and iron particles were present inside lysosomes of macrophages. USPIO injection did not alter renal function in normal or ischemic animals.

CONCLUSION

USPIO-enhanced MRI could detect inflammation noninvasively from 48 hours after 40 or 60 minutes of renal ischemia in rats. This method might be useful to understand the pathogenesis of human ARF and to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory agents.

Polyomavirus in kidney and kidney-pancreas transplant recipients

PURPOSE

To report the incidence and clinical characteristics of polyomavirus (PV) nephritis in kidney (KTX) and kidney-pancreas transplant (KPTX) recipients.

METHODS

Single center retrospective analysis of all cases of PV nephritis in KTX and KPTX patients transplanted between 1994 and 1999.

RESULTS

Thirteen (5 KTX and 8 KPTX) patients (2.1%) had PV nephritis diagnosed on multiple biopsies (n = 22) among 504 KTX and 106 KPTX recipients. The incidence of PV nephritis was higher in cadaver donor transplants (2.6% cadaver vs. 0.7% living donors), after KPTX (1% KTX vs. 7.5% KPTX), in males (3.3% male vs. 0.7% female), and in diabetic patients (4.4% diabetic vs. 0.8% nondiabetic). The mean time to diagnosis of PV nephritis was 18 (range 6-48) months after KTX and 17 (range 9-31) months after KPTX. Three KTX patients and 5 KPTX patients had calcineurin inhibitor toxicity on biopsy prior to developing PV nephritis. Reduction in immunosuppression occurred in 100% of KTX and 63% of KPTX patients. Three patients (23%) developed rejection within 3 months of diagnosis of PV, 1 after a reduction in immunosuppression. Despite multiple antiviral treatment regimens, renal allograft failure requiring dialysis occurred in 60% of KTX and 50% of KPTX patients. All KPTX patients remain insulin independent and 2 were successfully retransplanted with living donor kidneys. 2 patients (15%) died but there was no mortality directly related to the virus.

CONCLUSIONS

Polyomavirus nephritis may be increasing in incidence and appears to be unresponsive to either conventional antiviral agents or a reduction in immunosuppression. Most of our cases occurred in male diabetic patients undergoing cadaveric donor transplantation and were preceded by biopsy-proven nephrotoxicity. Further studies are needed to better define the pathogenesis of PV and effective antiviral treatment.

Treatment of refractory BK virus-associated nephropathy with cidofovir

BK virus-associated nephropathy (BKVN) has become recognized as an important cause of allograft dysfunction in renal transplant recipients and despite reduction in immunosuppression, 30-40% of recipients ultimately progress to allograft loss. Cidofovir is an antiviral agent that demonstrates in vitro activity against murine polyomavirus and has been proposed for treatment of BKVN in renal allograft recipients. We describe the clinical course, renal function, serial renal histology and urine and blood viral load measurements in two consecutive patients with refractory BKVN who were treated with low-dose cidofovir (0.25 mg/kg IV). In each case, renal dysfunction and BK viral load progressed despite reduced immunosuppression, and persistent BK virus infection was documented in serial renal allograft biopsy specimens. Administration of low-dose cidofovir was associated with clearance of BK virus DNA from blood and allograft, and stabilization of renal function in both patients, without significant toxicity. These preliminary data suggest that low-dose cidofovir may be tolerated, even among renal transplant recipients with significant renal dysfunction due to BKVN. Prospective, controlled trials are warranted to further define the optimal dose, toxicity and potential role of cidofovir in renal transplant recipients with BK virus nephropathy.

[Paratuberculous nephritis]

The paper shows tuberculous origin of bilateral diffuse nephritis in many patients. Etiology of nephritis can be proved using standard skin tests with microbal allergens, tuberculin in particular. Nephritis etiology can be proved by the presence of general reaction 1-2 days after introduction of the allergen. Local reaction alone indirectly evidence the nature of nephritis. In 72 patients with acute diffuse glomerulonephritis local reactions to Mantoux, Pirquet tests appeared positive in 69 of 72 patients. Focal and general reactions to these tests were documented in half (n = 36) patients. This group of paratuberculous nephritis consisted of seriously ill patients, all cases with common symptoms of nephritis (edemas, hypertension, hematuria) and all cases with changes in serous cavities. Tuberculosis foci in the chest were small or absent. In mild cases the recovery occurred after standard nonspecific treatment. Antituberculous chemotherapy was effective in severe and long-standing nephritis. In one case of lethal outcome paratuberculous nature of nephritis was proved morphologically. Streptococcal, staphylococcal allergy in skin tests was absent or mild, failed to produce general and focal reactions and therefore could not be considered as an etiological factor of acute nephritis in our patients.

Pathogenesis and management of polyomavirus infection in transplant recipients

Polyomaviruses (JC virus [JCV], BK virus [BKV], and simian virus 40 [SV40]) establish subclinical and persistent infections and share the capacity for reactivation from latency in their host under immunosuppression. JCV establishes latency mainly in the kidney, and its reactivation results in the development of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. BKV causes infection in the kidney and the urinary tract, and its activation causes a number of disorders, including nephropathy and hemorrhagic cystitis. Recent studies have reported SV40 in the allografts of children who received renal transplants and in the urine, blood, and kidneys of adults with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, which is a cause of end-stage renal disease and an indication for kidney transplantation. Clinical syndromes related to polyomavirus infection are summarized in the present review, and strategies for the management of patients who receive transplants are discussed.

Hematuria: an algorithmic approach to finding the cause

Many conditions can cause hematuria, but the differential diagnosis can be simplified with a systematic approach. We discuss the common causes of hematuria and how to evaluate it.

Histopathology, ultrastructure, and clinical phenotypes in thin glomerular basement membrane disease variants

Recent genetic studies indicate that Alport syndrome and thin glomerular basement membrane disease (TMD) may both be due to COL4A3, COL4A4, and COL4A5 mutations, but there is continuing uncertainty concerning the diagnosis and management of patients without classic family history and symptoms. We examined kidney pathology and collagen alpha 3 to alpha 5(IV) expression in a series of 16 patients who presented with overlapping signs between TMD and Alport nephritis. All patients presented with hematuria, and 11 also had proteinuria, of whom 5 had nephrotic range proteinuria. Only 9 had family history of hematuria. In 9 of 16 (60%) we found premature glomerulosclerosis in the renal biopsies. Three of 16 had predominantly wide, lamellated glomerullar basement membranes (GBM), and in these, alpha 3 to alpha 5(IV) was absent in glomeruli or skin, diagnostic of Alport nephritis. One patient (12) had a very wide GBM with intramembranous lucencies but no lamellation. Skin biopsy was collagen alpha 5(IV) positive. Nine of 16 patients had predominantly thin GBM by electron microscopy, and 3 had thin and slightly lamellated GBM. Collagen alpha 3 to alpha 5(IV) expression in the kidney or skin biopsy was present in all of the latter 12 patients. Three patients had end-stage renal disease, 7 patients had hypertension, and 1 patient had chronic renal failure. We found that of the 16 patients with presumed TMD, 3 had X-linked Alport nephritis, 2 appeared to have autosomal recessive Alport nephritis, and the remaining patients had either an Alport or a TMD variant. The latter had histologic and/or clinical evidence of progressive renal disease, including premature glomerulosclerosis, hypertension, sustained proteinuria, and either thin or slight GBM lamellation focally, and preserved alpha 3 to alpha 5(IV) expression. These patients have a TMD variant, but an Alport variant with a potentially transmissible severe defect different from benign hematuria cannot be excluded.

The technological edge

New bench-top instrumentation and novel spin-trapping assays open up the way to diagnosing and monitoring a range of conditions associated with rheumatoid arthritis and renal disease.

[Infantile acute lobar nephritis]

INTRODUCTION

Acute lobar nephronia is a focal interstitial inflammation of the kidney healing well on conservative therapy.

OBJECTIVE

Authors call attention on this rare pathological entity and emphasize the role of the imaging modalities in making the diagnosis. Short literature review is also given.

PATIENT AND METHODS

An 11 months old babyboy presented with febrile seizure and palpable right flank mass. Abdominal sonography and CT were done.

RESULTS

Urine analysis gave evidence of upper urinary tract infection. Hyperechogenic solid mass in the right kidney was seen on sonography. Diagnosis of infection suspected on sonography has been confirmed by abdominal CT scan and possibility of tumor has been ruled out. Acute lobar nephronia was diagnosed and the patient has been treated successfully with antibiotics.

CONCLUSION

Acute lobar nephronia may mimic both abscess and tumor. Differential diagnosis is very important because treatment of acute lobar nephronia is nonsurgical.

[Renal biopsy: standard procedure of modern nephrology]

For more than 50 years, renal biopsy has been an important diagnostic procedure in modern nephrology. Increasing perfection of the biopsy technique has made the procedure very safe, with rare complications and few contraindications. Improved histological diagnostics and broader therapeutic possibilities have significantly expanded the indications. The most important indications are acute renal failure, proteinuria > 1 g/d (or 3 g/d) and nephritic urinary sediment. Complications with renal grafts provide additional indications for a renal biopsy. In addition, diabetes and monosymptomatic urinfindings (isolated haematuria) as well as pregnancy induced nephropathy are indications for a renal biopsy. The procedure is performed ambulatory or during a short hospital stay and the patient can usually be discharged after a monitoring period of eight hours.

[A pediatric case of acute focal bacterial nephritis; comparison with the reports in Japanese child cases]

We report an 8-year-old boy with acute focal bacterial nephritis (AFBN). At the age of 3 months, he had a history of urinary tract infection and vesicoureteral reflux. He was admitted to our hospital because of high fever and costovertebral angle pain. Although acute pyelonephritis was suspected, neither pyuria nor cultures of blood and urine were positive. An initial ultrasonogram (US) of his kidneys was normal except for bilateral hydronephrosis. Two days later, however, a computed tomography (CT) revealed a poorly enhanced mass in the upper pole of the right kidney. Similar findings were also observed by US. Under the diagnosis of AFBN, he received antibiotics for 3 weeks. Voiding cystourethrogram showed both-sided vesicoureteral reflux and he underwent an operation. At present the mass of the kidney still remains, albeit its size tends to decrease. We suggest that an early examination of US or enhanced CT is necessary in cases with fever of unknown origin, considering the possibility of AFBN even if neither pyuria nor cultures of urine are positive.

[Acute lobar nephronia. Report of 3 new cases]

We present three patients, aged 4, 6 and 8 years old, with a diagnosis of urinary tract infection. In all patients, initial ultrasonographic studies revealed a single area of acute lobar nephronia (ALN). The patients underwent renal scintigraphy with dimercaptosuccinic acid-99mTc (DMSA Tc 99m), which showed multiple foci with below normal uptake in both kidneys of two patients, consistent with bilateral multifocal bacterial nephritis. Although this entity has been reported together with ALN in adults, very few pediatric cases have been reported. We emphasize the diagnostic value of ultrasonography and renal scintigraphy.

[Spurious renal tumor: acute lobar nephronia]

OBJECTIVE

To report a case of acute lobar nephronia, an unusual form of localized renal infection, and review the literature with special reference to the clinical features, ultrasound and CT findings that distinguish this condition from other renal masses (abscess, infected cyst and renal carcinoma).

METHODS/RESULTS

A female patient presented at the emergency services with symptoms and signs compatible with pyelonephritis. An admission abdominal ultrasound scan demonstrated a solid mass in the left inferior renal pole. CT showed a renal mass with peripheral enhancement after infusion of contrast and central striation. Blood and urine analyses were compatible with renal infection. Acute lobar nephronia was suspected and antibiotic treatment was administered. Control ultrasound and CT examinations performed one month after instituting antibiotic treatment showed the mass had disappeared.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute lobar nephronia should be considered in all patients with a renal mass detected during an episode of urinary infection. Correlation of the clinical and radiological findings, and resolution of the mass with appropriate antibiotic therapy will confirm the diagnosis.

Cerebral vasculitis in Henoch-Schönlein purpura: a case report with sequential magnetic resonance imaging changes and treated with plasmapheresis alone

Neurological complications are rare during the course of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP). We report a 7-year-old girl with HSP who presented with seizures, loss of vision and disturbance of consciousness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed high signal intensity in the gray and white matter over the left parietal and both occipital lobes, compatible with MRI findings of cerebral vasculitis. The eye fundi revealed multiple branches of retinal artery occlusion. Intravenous pulse methylprednisolone (MTP) followed by oral steroid therapy was initially administered for HSP nephritis. Cerebral vasculitis developed 10 days post-MTP treatment, with progressive worsening of consciousness. Oral steroid was discontinued and plasmapheresis was performed alone. Her level of consciousness dramatically improved after plasmapheresis. The brain MRI and eye fundi findings were consistent with her clinical improvement. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of MRI abnormalities and multiple retinal artery branch occlusion of cerebral vasculitis in a patient with HSP that was successfully treated by plasmapheresis alone. In conclusion, we propose that plasmapheresis may be used as a first-line therapy or rescue therapy for cerebral vasculitis in HSP.

Nephrotoxic nephritis and obstructive nephropathy: evaluation with MR imaging enhanced with ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide-preliminary findings in a rat model

PURPOSE

To evaluate the role of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging enhanced with ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) in the evaluation and differentiation of different types of nephropathies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two experimental rat models of nephropathies were studied: a model of nephrotoxic nephritis induced by means of intravenous injection of sheep anti-rat glomerular basement membrane serum (n = 43) and a model of obstructive nephropathy (n = 6). Imaging sessions were performed with a spectrometer operating at 4.7 T with fast low-angle shot, or FLASH, sequences. Signal intensity was measured in each kidney compartment before and 24 hours after intravenous injection of USPIO (90 micromol of iron per kilogram of body weight). MR findings were compared with histologic data and urine protein levels.

RESULTS

In the nephrotoxic nephritis model 24 hours after injection of USPIO, a significant signal intensity decrease (P: <.05) was present only in the cortex where the glomerular lesions were located. In the obstructive nephropathy model, the signal intensity decrease (P: <.05) was located in all kidney compartments in response to diffuse interstitial lesions. The decrease in signal intensity was due to iron uptake by either macrophages or mesangial cells gaining endocytic activity and was correlated, in the nephrotoxic nephritis model, to the degree of proteinuria.

CONCLUSION

Twenty-four-hour delayed USPIO-enhanced MR imaging may help identify and differentiate various types of nephropathies.

Inflammation and microalbuminuria in nondiabetic and type 2 diabetic subjects: The Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study

BACKGROUND

Microalbuminuria is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but the underlying pathomechanisms are still poorly understood. A relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP), a sensitive marker of inflammation, and atherosclerotic disease has been reported recently.

METHODS

We hypothesized that microalbuminuria might be associated with chronic inflammation and investigated the relationship of urinary albumin excretion, as assessed from the albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), in an untimed morning urine specimen, and two inflammatory markers (CRP and fibrinogen) in the large, triethnic population of the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS). After exclusion of subjects with macroalbuminuria, 1481 subjects were studied.

RESULTS

Both inflammatory markers were related to urinary ACR (r = 0.17 for CRP and r = 0.14 for fibrinogen, both P = 0.0001), an association that remained significant after adjustment for demographic variables, diabetic status, smoking, and use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (P < 0.01). Mean levels of CRP and fibrinogen were elevated in microalbuminuric (N = 262) versus normoalbuminuric (N = 1219) subjects (5.37 +/- 0.47 vs. 3.80 +/- 0.15 mg/L and 295.7 +/- 4. 0 vs. 278.2 +/- 1.6 mg/dL, both P < 0.0001). The associations were consistent among nondiabetic and type 2 diabetic subjects and among the three ethnic groups of the IRAS (non-Hispanic whites, blacks, Hispanics). In a logistic regression model, fibrinogen was independently associated with microalbuminuria (P = 0.047), along with hypertension, female gender, waist circumference, and fasting blood glucose, while CRP was not independently related to microalbuminuria in this model (P = 0.26).

CONCLUSION

We have shown an association of CRP and fibrinogen with urinary albumin excretion in the microalbuminuric range in type 2 diabetic and nondiabetic individuals. Chronic inflammation therefore emerges as a potential mediator between microalbuminuria and macrovascular disease.

Renal function and blood pressure five years after puumala virus-induced nephropathy

BACKGROUND

Nephropathia epidemica (NE) is a mild form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome caused by Puumala hantavirus. Its long-term prognosis is considered favorable. Some reports suggest, however, that a previous hantavirus infection increases the risk of hypertension.

METHODS

We studied 46 previously healthy subjects (26 males and 20 females, mean age of 44 years) who had serologically confirmed NE three to seven years previously, and 38 healthy, seronegative controls (22 males and 16 females, mean age of 44 years). Ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) was monitored. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) were determined by 51CrEDTA and 131I-hippurate clearances, respectively. The filtration fraction (FF) was calculated. Quantitative 24-hour urinary protein excretion (UprotE) and timed overnight urinary excretion of alpha1-microglobulin were measured.

RESULTS

The NE patients had a higher mean ambulatory systolic BP than the controls (123 +/- 13 vs. 117 +/- 9 mm Hg, P = 0. 008). GFR and FF were increased in patients compared with controls (GFR, 120 +/- 20 vs. 109 +/- 14 mL/min/1.73 m2, P = 0.006; FF, 19 +/- 3 vs. 18 +/- 3%, P = 0.030), but ERPF did not differ between the groups. The patients also had higher UPE than the controls (median 0. 18 g/day, range 0.12 to 0.38 vs. median 0.14 g/day, range 0.09 to 0. 24, P < 0.001, respectively). The overnight urinary excretion rate of alpha1-microglobulin exceeded 7 microg/min in nine patients.

CONCLUSION

Three to seven years after NE, the patients had higher GFR and FF, more proteinuria, and higher ambulatory systolic BP compared with the healthy controls. NE may thus cause mild renal lesions and alterations in BP in some patients.

Focal bacterial nephritis (lobar nephronia) presenting as renal mass

A focal infection of the kidney can cause a diagnostic dilemma by mimicking a neoplasm. We describe a case of focal bacterial nephritis (acute lobar nephronia) caused by Escherichia coli in which the diagnosis was confirmed only after surgical exploration. Although the patient had fever on admission, urine and blood cultures were negative and fine needle aspiration of the kidney could not rule out a well-differentiated carcinoma.