Association of thrombotic microangiopathy and intimal hyperplasia with bleeding post-renal biopsy in antiphospholipid antibody-positive patients

Is per-protocol kidney biopsy required in lupus nephritis?

Baseline kidney biopsy is recommended in lupus nephritis (LN). Biopsy allows to classify different forms of LN and differentiate other forms of renal involvement, such as tubulo-interstitial nephritis or thrombotic microangiopathy. The indications for repeat biopsy are more controversial. Some authors feel that good clinical monitoring is sufficient to assess prognosis and make therapeutic decisions. Based on the recently demonstrated discordance between clinical and histological response, some physicians recommend per-protocol biopsies either at 6 months in stable patients to verify the response to induction therapy, or after one-to-two years to assess treatment efficacy and tune the duration of maintenance therapy. Others recommend repeating kidney biopsy in case of incomplete response or to discriminate between active and chronic lesions. By definition, a per-protocol kidney biopsy differs from a repeat biopsy in that the former is foreseen at fixed timepoints, regardless of the clinical response. Although any decision should always consider the patient's overall clinical condition, there are no doubts that repeat kidney biopsy represents a useful tool in difficult cases to evaluate treatment response, modulate treatment intensity, and predict long-term renal outcome both in quiescent lupus and during flares. How to harmonize per-protocol biopsies in the LN course remains challenging.

The estimated prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies and criteria-antiphospholipid syndrome in subjects with renal thrombotic microangiopathy

BACKGROUND

While the prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in venous and arterial thrombotic events had already been estimated by previous studies, the prevalence of aPL in subjects with Thrombotic Microangiopathy (TMA) is still not fully elucidated. Thus, we conducted a systematic review to estimate the frequency of aPL in subjects with biopsy-proven renal TMA.

METHODS

We conducted in the PubMed database a search for English-language studies investigating the presence of aPL in subjects with biopsy-proven renal TMA from January 1985 to December 2022. Keywords used in the search included: 'antiphospholipid syndrome', 'antiphospholipid antibodies' and 'thrombotic microangiopathy'. Cohorts of HUS patients were excluded due to the risk of over-estimating the prevalence of aPL in these populations. The median frequency for positive aPL including anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), antibodies against β2-glycoprotein-I (anti-β2GPI) and lupus anticoagulant (LA) was then calculated.

RESULTS

522 articles were identified through the literature search. Six studies, assessing the prevalence of aPL in 211 subjects with renal TMA, were retrieved. The overall aPL prevalence was estimated as 24.4% (range 22-56). The estimated prevalence of aCL (IgG/IgM), anti-β2GPI, (IgG/IgM) and LA was 4.0% (range 3-27), 4.0% (range 3-16) and 18.9% (range 13-25), respectively. APS was diagnosed in 16.3% (range 11-29) of the patients. Of note, a high level of heterogeneity was observed when comparing the reported aPL profiles for each study.

CONCLUSIONS

This comprehensive systematic analysis of studies investigating the prevalence of aPL in renal TMA showed that, despite the high heterogeneity of the included studies, aPL are present in about one case out of four renal-TMA cases.

Retroperitoneal Hemorrhage Due to Spontaneous Renal Rupture as the First Presentation of Antiphospholipid Syndrome: A Case Report

Spontaneous renal rupture (SRR) with retroperitoneal hemorrhage is an extremely rare medical emergency and is rather challenging for the surgical team. Management of SRR often requires surgical intervention and nephrectomy as it is life-threatening. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS) is an autoimmune disease that affects several organs, including kidneys, causing significant abnormalities. Current data suggest that APLS can result in renal artery stenosis, renal vein thrombosis, arterial hypertension, thrombotic microangiopathy, and antiphospholipid syndrome nephropathy where there is renal involvement. Here, we report the case of a 49-year-old man who presented to the Emergency Department with sudden-onset abdominal pain in the context of retroperitoneal bleeding due to SRR. The patient developed hemodynamic instability and underwent a total nephrectomy. The surgical specimen revealed APLS-related lesions. Serological tests confirmed the diagnosis of APLS, which was managed with acenocoumarol and hydroxychloroquine. Since then, he has not experienced any thromboembolic or hemorrhagic episodes. This article aims to present for the first time a case of SRR as the first presentation of APLS as well as to analyze the possible associated mechanisms.

Prognostic factors for the development of systemic lupus erythematosus in patients with immune thrombocytopenia

BACKGROUND

Patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) have a risk of developing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We sought to examine the clinical characteristics of patients with primary ITP who later developed SLE and identified the risk factors for the development of SLE.

METHODS

We retrospectively examined patients who were diagnosed with primary ITP at a tertiary hospital between August 2001 and November 2019. We compared the clinical characteristics according to the development of SLE. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with the development of SLE.

RESULTS

Of 130 patients with primary ITP, 10 (7.7%) were later diagnosed with SLE during follow-up (median, 30 months [IQR, 15.5-105]). The presence of skin bleeding, organ bleeding, lymphocytopenia, anemia, and antinuclear antibody (ANA) positivity (≥ 1:160) were more common among patients who later developed SLE than did those who did not develop SLE. Multivariate analysis showed that young age (< 40 years; odds ratio [OR], 6.307 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.114-34.908]; P = 0.035), organ bleeding (OR, 13.672 [95% CI, 2.437-76.689]; P = 0.003), and ANA positivity (1:160; OR, 6.638 [95% CI, 1.399-31.504]; P = 0.017) were significantly associated with the development of SLE.

CONCLUSIONS

Young age (< 40 years), organ bleeding, and ANA positivity (≥ 1:160) were risk factors for the development of SLE in patients with primary ITP. Close follow-up is needed to detect the development of SLE in patients with ITP and the abovementioned risk factors.

Increased risk of acute and chronic microvascular renal lesions associated with antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Microvascular renal lesions have been described in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), however their association with aPL is inconsistent among studies. Therefore, our objective was to investigate associations between microvascular renal lesions and aPL among systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.

METHODS

Studies were selected if they included SLE patients with and without aPL positivity with a description of kidney biopsy identifying acute and/or chronic microvascular renal lesions as well as lupus nephritis. Data sources were Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, hand search, congress abstracts, and reference lists of studies, without language restrictions. Risk estimates were independently extracted by 2 investigators. Pooled effect estimates were obtained by using the Mantel-Haenszel method (random effects).

RESULTS

Of 1860 identified records obtained between 1991 and 2021, 35 published studies (10 cohorts, 7 case-control, 18 cross-sectional) met inclusion criteria, including 3035 SLE patients according to American College of Rheumatology criteria and 454 cases of microvascular renal lesions. Frequency of microvascular renal lesions in aPL-positive vs. aPL-negative SLE patients was 31.3% vs. 10.4%, respectively. The overall pooled odds ratios (OR) for microvascular renal lesions in aPL-positive vs. aPL-negative SLE patients was 3.03 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.25-4.09). The risk of microvascular renal lesions was the highest for lupus anticoagulant (OR = 4.84 [95% CI, 2.93 to 8.02]) and IgG anticardiolipin antibodies (OR = 3.12 [95% CI,1.08-9.02]) while the association with anti-β₂-glycoprotein I antibodies (OR = 1.88 [95% CI, 0.25-14.14]) did not reach statistical significance. Furthermore, aPL were not associated with any classes of lupus nephritis.

CONCLUSION

In SLE patients, aPL-positivity is associated with a significant 3- to 5-fold increased risk for specific microvascular renal lesions. This risk is mainly driven by lupus anticoagulant and IgG anticardiolipin antibodies. Our results support the inclusion of microvascular renal lesions as new criteria for definite antiphospholipid syndrome.

Controversies in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus 2021: Changing the Paradigm in the Management of Lupus Nephritis

ABSTRACT

Lupus nephritis (LN) affects about a third of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Although the use of conventional therapy has significantly improved the prognosis of LN, the response to treatment remains suboptimal, with high rates of relapse and the occurrence of end-stage kidney disease. The implementation of new diagnostic and treatment strategies aimed at improving these outcomes represents a necessary paradigm shift in the management of LN.Herein, we discuss different points of view regarding these still unresolved issues; these comments represent a debate that took place during the virtual congress of the Pan American League of Associations for Rheumatology (PANLAR) and which was organized by the PANLAR Lupus Study Group, GLADEL (Grupo Latino Americano De Estudio del Lupus) on August 15, 2021.

Safety of procuring research tissue during a clinically indicated kidney biopsy from patients with lupus: data from the Accelerating Medicines Partnership RA/SLE Network

Objectives

In lupus nephritis the pathological diagnosis from tissue retrieved during kidney biopsy drives treatment and management. Despite recent approval of new drugs, complete remission rates remain well under aspirational levels, necessitating identification of new therapeutic targets by greater dissection of the pathways to tissue inflammation and injury. This study assessed the safety of kidney biopsies in patients with SLE enrolled in the Accelerating Medicines Partnership, a consortium formed to molecularly deconstruct nephritis.

Methods

475 patients with SLE across 15 clinical sites in the USA consented to obtain tissue for research purposes during a clinically indicated kidney biopsy. Adverse events (AEs) were documented for 30 days following the procedure and were determined to be related or unrelated by all site investigators. Serious AEs were defined according to the National Institutes of Health reporting guidelines.

Results

34 patients (7.2%) experienced a procedure-related AE: 30 with haematoma, 2 with jets, 1 with pain and 1 with an arteriovenous fistula. Eighteen (3.8%) experienced a serious AE requiring hospitalisation; four patients (0.8%) required a blood transfusion related to the kidney biopsy. At one site where the number of cores retrieved during the biopsy was recorded, the mean was 3.4 for those who experienced a related AE (n=9) and 3.07 for those who did not experience any AE (n=140). All related AEs resolved.

Conclusions

Procurement of research tissue should be considered feasible, accompanied by a complication risk likely no greater than that incurred for standard clinical purposes. In the quest for targeted treatments personalised based on molecular findings, enhanced diagnostics beyond histology will likely be required.

Primary Anti-phospholipid Antibody Syndrome Presenting as Acute Nephritic Syndrome

Primary anti-phospholipid antibody (APLA) syndrome in males most commonly presents with clinical manifestations of venous thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, and pulmonary embolism. Although most present with acute symptoms following arterial thrombosis, diagnosis following evaluation for elevated renal function tests and hypertension is less common. We report here a case of a 22-year-old man who presented with acute nephritic syndrome following an acute febrile illness. He was detected to have altered renal function tests with serum creatinine of 1.6 mg/dL (141.4 μmol/L), microscopic hematuria, and proteinuria along with hypertension. His 24-h urine protein was 1700 g/day. He was planned for a kidney biopsy. Subsequent evaluations revealed an isolated elevation of activated partial thromboplastin time. Further evaluation revealed positive APLA syndrome. He underwent kidney biopsy later which showed mesangial hypercellularity with no involvement of the renal parenchymal vasculature. The reported case is an unusual presentation of primary APLA syndrome with acute nephritic syndrome.

Spontaneous perirenal hemorrhage in systemic lupus erythematosus: a rare case report and literature review

Background

Spontaneous perirenal hemorrhage is relatively uncommon but may be life-threatening. There are some challenges in early diagnosis due to the lack of specific presentations.

Case presentation

We report a case of spontaneous perirenal hemorrhage in a newly diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus patient who initially presented with non-specific flank pain. Weakness and unstable vital signs were noted on admission. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed a sizable perirenal hematoma over the left retroperitoneal cavity. Renal arteriography identified active extravasation of contrast media from a distant branch of the left renal artery, and selective embolization effectively obliterated the bleeding spot. After cessation of bleeding, the patient received intensive immunosuppressive therapy for acute kidney injury and encephalopathy due to lupus. Her mental status recovered successfully, and she was withdrawn from short-term hemodialysis.

Conclusions

Spontaneous perirenal hemorrhage in the condition of systemic lupus erythematosus was a rare clinical entity with life-threatening potential. Early accurate diagnosis of spontaneous renal hemorrhage requires both detailed clinical examination and radiologic studies. Interventional embolization is essential and effective for both diagnosis and treatment. A high index of suspicion is necessary to avoid missing this potentially fatal syndrome, especially in patients with an increased risk of bleeding.

Abdominal arterial lesions associated with antiphospholipid antibodies: A comparative cross sectional magnetic resonance angiography study

INTRODUCTION

Case reports and small case series suggest that stenotic lesions of the renal, coeliac and mesenteric arteries may occur in the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) resulting in clinical consequences such as hypertension and abdominal angina.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of stenotic lesions in arteries arising from the middle aorta in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) compared with healthy, hypertensive and atherosclerotic controls.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a cross-sectional comparative radiological study using magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) we assessed 5 groups of subjects for the prevalence of stenotic lesions in arteries arising from the middle aorta: APS/aPL positive, healthy renal donors, patients with hypertension, patients with atherosclerosis defined radiologically and patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and vasculitis who were negative for aPL. All subjects underwent MRA in suspended respiration and images were assessed by 2 senior radiologists blinded to the clinical details.

RESULTS

In the atherosclerosis group, vascular stenotic lesions were more prevalent (71%) than in any other group (p≤ 0.000002). The prevalence of all stenotic lesions in aPL positive patients (33%) was significantly higher than in the renal donors (18%) and hypertensive patients (19%) (p≤ 0.009). Renal artery stenosis was significantly more prevalent in aPL positive patients than in renal donors (p≤ 0.0006) but similar to the prevalence in hypertensive patients. Coeliac and/or mesenteric lesions were significantly more common in aPL positive patients vs hypertensive patients (p≤ 0.001). Stenoses did not correlate with traditional risk factors.

CONCLUSION

Arterial stenotic lesions in arteries arising from the middle aorta were highly prevalent in atherosclerotic subjects and were more common in aPL positive patients than hypertensive patients and healthy renal donors.

Safety and effectiveness of transjugular renal biopsy for systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome patients taking antithrombotics

BACKGROUND

Renal biopsy is the cornerstone of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) nephritis and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) nephropathy management. However, transcutaneous renal biopsy (TCRB) is hampered by the antithrombotic treatment frequently prescribed for those diseases. Transjugular renal biopsy (TJRB) offers an attractive alternative for patients at increased risk of bleeding. The primary objective of the study was to describe the safety profile and diagnostic performance of TJRB in SLE and APS patients.

METHODS

All SLE and/or APS patients who underwent a renal biopsy in our department (between January 2004 and October 2016) were retrospectively reviewed. Major complications were death, haemostasis nephrectomy, renal artery embolization, red blood cell transfusion, sepsis and vascular thrombosis; macroscopic haematuria, symptomatic perirenal/retroperitoneal bleeding and renal arteriovenous fistula without artery embolization were considered as minor complications.

RESULTS

Two hundred and fifty-six TJRBs-119 without antithrombotics (untreated), 69 under aspirin and 68 on anticoagulants and 54 TCRBs without antithrombotics-were analysed. Their major and minor complication rates, respectively, did not differ significantly for the four groups: 0 and 8% for untreated TJRBs, 1 and 6% for aspirin-treated, 6 and 10% for anticoagulant-treated and 2 and 2% for TCRBs. The number of glomeruli sampled and the biopsy contribution to establishing a histological diagnosis was similar for the four groups.

CONCLUSIONS

TJRBs obtained from SLE and APS patients taking antithrombotics had diagnostic yields and safety profiles similar to those of untreated TCRBs. Thus, TJRB should be considered for SLE and APS patients at risk of bleeding.

Serum uric acid as a predictor for nephritis in Egyptian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

Lupus nephritis (LN) is closely associated with hyperuricemia, and uric acid is considered a risk factor for renal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study aimed to examine the association between serum uric acid (SUA) level and LN development and progression in SLE patients with normal renal function.

METHODS

A total of 60 SLE patients with normal renal function from Ain Shams University Hospital were selected and assigned to group 1 (30 patients with LN) and group 2 (30 patients without LN). All patients were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, disease activity assessment based on SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) and renal SLEDAI (SLEDAI-R) scores, and laboratory investigations, including as SUA, complete blood count, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, urine analysis, protein/creatinine ratio, 24-h urinary protein excretion, Antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-dsDNA antibody, and serum complement (C3, C4).

RESULTS

Disease duration, SLEDAI score, and SUA level were higher in group 1 than in group 2 (p < 0.001). SUA level was positively correlated with SLEDAI and SLEDAI-R scores, proteinuria, urinary casts, renal biopsy class, disease activity and chronicity indices, BUN level, and serum creatinine level but was negatively correlated with creatinine clearance (p < 0.05). SUA was a predictor of LN development in SLE patients (sensitivity, 83.3%; specificity, 70%).

CONCLUSION

SUA is associated with the development of lupus nephritis in patients with normal kidney function also SUA in-dependently correlated with disease activity and chronicity in LN.

An update on the management of antiphospholipid syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by recurrent venous or arterial thrombosis with or without pregnancy morbidity in the presence of persistent antiphospholipid (aPL) autoantibodies. Anticoagulation has, until now, formed the cornerstone of treatment but a significant proportion of patients continue to experience thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity despite this treatment. Thrombosis is the most common cause of mortality and accounts for two fifths of deaths. Direct oral anticoagulant drugs represent an attractive alternative to conventional vitamin K antagonist drugs but emerging evidence suggests these may not be suitable for high-risk patients with thrombotic APS. Laboratory studies and case reports of the successful use of different classes of drugs in APS is increasing our understanding of the other pathophysiological mechanisms which may contribute to the high morbidity of APS. This review summarizes current accepted anticoagulant treatment for APS and examines other potential drugs such as immunomodulating agents, statins and novel agents such as sirolimus and defibrotide.

Lupus nephritis

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a form of glomerulonephritis that constitutes one of the most severe organ manifestations of the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Most patients with SLE who develop LN do so within 5 years of an SLE diagnosis and, in many cases, LN is the presenting manifestation resulting in the diagnosis of SLE. Understanding of the genetic and pathogenetic basis of LN has improved substantially over the past few decades. Treatment of LN usually involves immunosuppressive therapy, typically with mycophenolate mofetil or cyclophosphamide and with glucocorticoids, although these treatments are not uniformly effective. Despite increased knowledge of disease pathogenesis and improved treatment options, LN remains a substantial cause of morbidity and death among patients with SLE. Within 10 years of an initial SLE diagnosis, 5-20% of patients with LN develop end-stage kidney disease, and the multiple comorbidities associated with immunosuppressive treatment, including infections, osteoporosis and cardiovascular and reproductive effects, remain a concern. Clearly, early and accurate diagnosis of LN and prompt initiation of therapy are of vital importance to improve outcomes in patients with SLE.

Soluble TNF-R1, VEGF and other cytokines as markers of disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis

Background

Current non-invasive methods of assessing disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are of limited sensitivity and specificity. Testing includes acute phase markers, autoantibodies and complement levels. Although measurements of dsDNA antibodies and complement C3/C4 levels are routine, they remain of limited value. Improved blood and urine markers may help in early detection of flare, distinction between flare and chronic damage, and monitoring response to therapy.

Methods

A total of 87 patients with SLE were tested for the following cytokines in serum and urine: monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor 1 (sTNF-R1), interferon-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), monocyte inhibitory protein 1α (MIP-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Patients attending the Lupus Unit at St Thomas’ Hospital, London, UK were divided into active lupus nephritis (LN), inactive LN and non-renal SLE groups based on their renal pathology and SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI). Cytokine testing was performed using the FIDIS multiplex bead assay.

Results

The mean level of serum sTNF-R1 was higher in the active LN group compared with both inactive LN and non-renal SLE groups ( p < 0.001). For urine measurements there were significant differences between active LN and non-renal SLE for VEGF ( p = 0.016), after statistical correction for multiple testing. Both urinary and serum sTNF-R1 and IP-10 levels correlated with SLEDAI scores ( p < 0.001), while serum VEGF correlated weakly with SLEDAI ( p = 0.025). The optimum combination for differentiating active from inactive LN patients was serum VEGF, sTNF-R1, MCP-1 and glomerular filtration rate plus urinary sTNF-R1 and protein-creatinine ratio.

Conclusion

These results indicate that for active LN, sTNF-R1 could be a useful serum cytokine marker, with potential for VEGF in the urine. This study has confirmed the ability of the multiplex bead technique to detect cytokines in a good analytical range, including very low and high levels, in both serum and urine. Combining serum and urine markers provided additional sensitivity in distinguishing active from inactive LN.

Renal Involvement in Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome is a complex autoimmune disease, characterized by the presence of vascular thrombosis, obstetric, hematologic, cutaneous, and cardiac manifestations. Renal disease in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome was not recognized in the first descriptions of the disease, but later on, the renal manifestations of the syndrome have been investigated widely. Renal manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome conform a wide spectrum of diverse renal syndromes. Hypertension is one of the most frequent, but less commonly recognized renal alteration. It can be difficult to control as its origin is renovascular. Renal vascular thrombosis can be arterial or venous. Other alterations are renal infarction and vascular thrombosis in arterial territories. Venous thrombosis can be present in primary and secondary antiphospholipid syndrome; it presents with worsening of previous proteinuria or de novo nephrotic syndrome, hypertension and renal failure. Antiphospholipid syndrome nephropathy is a vascular disease that affects glomerular tuft, interstitial vessels, and peritubular vessels; histopathology characterizes the renal lesions as acute or chronic, the classic finding is thrombotic microangiopathy, that leads to fibrosis, tubule thyroidization, focal cortical atrophy, and glomerular sclerosis. Antiphospholipid syndrome nephropathy can also complicate patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, and there is vast information supporting the worse renal prognosis in this group of patients with the classic histopathologic lesions. Treatment consists of anticoagulation, as for other thrombotic manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome. There is some evidence of glomerulonephritis as an isolated lesion in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome. The most frequently reported glomerulonephritis is membranous; with some reports suggesting that immunosuppressive treatment may be effective. Patients with end stage renal disease commonly are positive for antiphospholipid antibodies, but it is not clear what is the role of aPL in this setting. Patients with vascular access may have complications in the presence of antibodies so that anticoagulation is recommended. Patients ongoing renal transplant with persistent antiphospholipid antibody positivity may have early and late graft failure.

Risk of complications of ultrasound-guided renal biopsy for adult and pediatric patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective The objective of this paper is to identify the risk of complications of real-time ultrasound-guided renal biopsy in adult and pediatric patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Materials and methods This retrospective study examined outcomes of 296 renal biopsy procedures in 275 SLE patients. Imaging-confirmed symptomatic hematoma was regarded as a major complication when intervention (blood transfusion, angiographic embolization, or surgery) was required or as a minor complication otherwise. Clinical and laboratory data were compared between groups with or without complications after initial or subsequent renal biopsy. Binary logistic regressions were used to evaluate complication risk of initial renal biopsy. Results Overall complication rate of initial renal biopsy was 8.7% (major: 2.9%, minor: 5.8%). Three patients expired from pulmonary hemorrhage, thrombotic microangiopathy, and pneumonia. Pediatric SLE patients tended to have a higher rate of major complications (12.5%) than adult patients (2.3%). According to multivariable analysis results, elevated serum creatinine (SCr) level (OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.17-1.81 per mg/dl), prolonged prothrombin time (PT) (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.05-4.62 per second), and thrombocytopenia (OR 4.3; 95% CI 1.56-11.9) increased overall complication risk of initial renal biopsy. Age < 18 years (OR 8.43; 95% CI 1.21-58.8), thrombocytopenia (OR 16.4; 95% CI 2.44-110.5), and elevated SCr level (OR 1.97; 95% CI 1.36-2.86 per md/dl) increased risk of major complications. Thrombocytopenia, prolonged PT, and elevated SCr level were associated with complications after subsequent renal biopsy (all p = 0.01). Conclusions SLE patients, particularly patients under 18 years old or with elevated SCr level, prolonged PT, or thrombocytopenia, have an increased risk of complications after initial or subsequent renal biopsy.

Use of eculizumab in a systemic lupus erythemathosus patient presenting thrombotic microangiopathy and heterozygous deletion in CFHR1-CFHR3. A case report and systematic review

The association of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been described in 0.5 to 10% of cases, and patients present worse outcome. TMA is described as the association of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and an organ injury, frequently the kidney. This study describes a successful case of use of eculizumab in a patient with SLE and TMA refractory to standard therapy, and provides a literature review. Case description and search in PubMed and MEDLINE using systemic lupus erythemathous and/or antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and eculizumab retrieved 15 case reports. Eighteen-year-old female presented acute renal failure and TMA and was diagnosed with SLE. Steroids and IV cyclophosphamide were started together with plasma exchange. After 55 days, she still persisted with microangiopathic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and anuria, and eculizumab was introduced. She had rapid improvement in hematological parameters, and dialysis was discontinued 25 days after the first dose. Genetic analysis showed large heterozygous deletion encompassing the entire CFHR1 and CFHR3, a finding previously associated with patients presenting atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome (aHUS). Twenty patients who received eculizumab with SLE and/or APS have been published to date: 11 were female and mean age at presentation was 31 years. Seven out of the 20 patients presented only SLE, 5 patients only APS and 8 patients both SLE and APS. Eighteen patients underwent plasma exchange, with a mean of 20 (4-120) sessions per patient. Thirteen patients received rituximab. Hematological response was evident in 100% and kidney recovery in 85% of patients. The terminal complement blockade with eculizumab is an optional treatment for patients with SLE and/or APS presenting TMA and refractory to current immunosuppression therapies. Genetic testing may help recognize patients with aHUS and SLE/APS and therefore help to determine length of treatment with eculizumab.

Kidney disease in primary anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome

APS is an autoimmune disease defined by the presence of arterial or venous thrombotic events and/or pregnancy morbidity in patients who test positive for aPL. APS can be isolated (primary APS) or associated with other autoimmune diseases. The kidney is a major target organ in APS, and renal thrombosis can occur at any level within the vasculature of the kidney (renal arteries, intrarenal vasculature and renal veins). Histological findings vary widely, including ischaemic glomeruli and thrombotic lesions without glomerular or arterial immune deposits on immunofluorescence. Renal involvement in patients with definite APS is treated with long-term anticoagulants as warfarin, but new treatments are being tried. The aim of this article is to review the links between primary APS and kidney disease.

The clinical significance of antiphospholipid antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is the association of thrombosis and/or pregnancy morbidity with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Thirty to forty percent of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients are tested positive for aPL, which may have an impact on the SLE presentation, management, and prognosis. Compared with SLE patients without aPL, those with aPL have a higher prevalence of thrombosis, pregnancy morbidity, valve disease, pulmonary hypertension, livedo reticularis, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, acute/chronic renal vascular lesions, and moderate/severe cognitive impairment; worse quality of life; and higher risk of organ damage. The use of low-dose aspirin (LDA) is controversial for primary thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity prevention because of the lack of strong prospective controlled data. Similarly, the use of anticoagulation is controversial for patients with an aPL-related nephropathy. Until further studies are available, physicians should discuss the risk/benefits of LDA or anticoagulation as well as the available literature with patients.

Biomarkers for kidney involvement in pediatric lupus

Lupus nephritis (LN), the renal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus, is currently diagnosed by histopathology obtained by percutaneous renal biopsy and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in both adults and children. LN is more prevalent and severe in children, requiring aggressive and prolonged immunosuppression. The consequences of the diagnosis and its treatment have devastating long-term effects on the growth, well-being and quality of life of affected children. The paucity of reliable clinical indicators of the presence and severity of renal involvement have contributed to a halt in the reduction of progression to end-stage renal disease in recent years. Here, we discuss the recent development of biomarkers in the management of LN and their role as therapeutic targets.

Antiphospholipid syndrome: an update

BACKGROUND

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) or 'Hughes syndrome' is a prothrombotic disease characterized by thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). More than three decades have passed, and experts are still uncovering new pieces of this disease complex pathogenesis and management.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched in literature using MEDLINE and PubMed databases focusing on the latest development on disease pathogenesis, risk assessment of thrombosis and treatment of APS.

RESULTS

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT-mTORC pathway was most recently identified to have a crucial role in activating inflammation among endothelial vessel wall causing vascular lesions in APS. Additionally, new variables are being implemented to assess the risk of thrombosis in patients with APS. Global APS Score (GAPSS) utilizes cardiovascular risk factors and new autoimmune antibodies as part of the score assessment and is the most valid so far. It can be a promising tool in the future for prediction of thrombosis. Anticoagulation remains the cornerstone in APS; however, many new potential therapeutic agents are developing and are currently under investigation.

CONCLUSIONS

The most recent advances in pathogenesis, risk stratification and treatment provide a platform for high yield studies with the ultimate goal of providing the optimal management to patients with APS.

Renal involvement in antiphospholipid syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease defined by the presence of arterial or venous thrombotic events and/or pregnancy morbidity in patients who test positive for antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs). APS can be isolated (known as primary APS) or associated with other autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; known as secondary APS). The kidney is a major target organ in APS and renal thrombosis can occur at any level within the vasculature of the kidney (renal arteries, intrarenal arteries, glomerular capillaries and renal veins); events reflect the site and size of the involved vessels. Histological findings vary widely, including ischaemic glomeruli and thrombotic lesions without glomerular or arterial immune deposits on immunofluorescence. Renal prognosis is affected by the presence of aPLs in patients with lupus nephritis and can be poor. In patients with SLE and aPLs, biopsy should be performed because inflammatory and thrombotic lesions require different therapeutic approaches. Renal involvement in patients with definite APS is treated by anticoagulation with long-term warfarin. The range of renal manifestations associated with APS is broadening and, therefore, aPLs have increasing relevance in end-stage renal disease, transplantation and pregnancy.