Montelukast: a novel therapeutic option in eosinophilic peritonitis

Resolution of severe eosinophilic peritonitis in a patient on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis by changing from Dianeal peritoneal dialysis solution to Stay-Safe Balance solution: a case report

Background

Eosinophilic peritonitis is a well-known complication at the initiation of peritoneal dialysis. It is often due to an allergic reaction to peritoneal dialysis solution or sometimes to the peritoneal dialysis catheter itself. Most cases are self-limiting with expected spontaneous resolution within a few weeks. Treatment is necessary for severe or persistent cases. However, the optimal treatment has not yet been defined. There have been only a few case reports on the use of anti-histamines and/or steroids for the treatment of eosinophilic peritonitis. We reported a case of severe eosinophilic peritonitis successfully treated by switching the brand of peritoneal dialysis fluid (same glucose concentration). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case employing such a treatment strategy.

Case presentation

An eighty-two-year-old man with end-stage renal failure was started on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis with Dianeal® (Baxter) peritoneal dialysis solution. He developed eosinophilic peritonitis 19 days after initiation of peritoneal dialysis. Infectious causes were ruled out by bacterial, fungal and tuberculosis smears and cultures. In view of the persistent and severe symptoms, we intervened by switching from Dianeal® (Baxter) peritoneal dialysis solution to Stay-Safe Balance® (Fresenius) solution with the same glucose concentration. His eosinophilic peritonitis resolved 5 days after switching the peritoneal dialysis solution.

Conclusion

In severe or persistent cases of eosinophilic peritonitis requiring treatment, other than the use of steroids and anti-histamines, switching to a different brand of peritoneal dialysis solution can be considered.

Effectiveness of montelukast for uremic pruritus in hemodialysis patients: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Uremic pruritus (UP) is a common and tormenting symptom in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. An increasing number of studies have been published in recent years to support the effectiveness of montelukast for UP. We will conduct a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate effectiveness of montelukast for UP in hemodialysis patients.

METHODS

The following electronic databases were searched: Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China Science and Technology Journal Database. The range of publication time was from the inception of the database to December 2020. Two reviewers will independently conduct article selection, data collection, and assessment of risk of bias. Any disagreement will be resolved by discussion with the third reviewer. Meta-analysis will be performed by Review Manager 5.3. The Cochrane Collaboration tool will be used to assess the risk of bias.

RESULTS

This study will provide a systematic synthesis of current published data to explore the effectiveness of montelukast for UP in hemodialysis patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review and meta-analysis will provide clinical evidence for the effectiveness of montelukast for UP in hemodialysis patients and inform our understanding of the value of montelukast in improving pruritus symptoms. This study will help clinicians, patients, and policy makers to make better decisions regarding the appropriate role of montelukast as a part of patient management routines.

STUDY REGISTRATION NUMBER

INPLASY2020100043.

Eosinophilia and Kidney Disease: More than Just an Incidental Finding?

Peripheral blood eosinophilia (PBE), defined as 500 eosinophils or above per microliter (µL) blood, is a condition that is not uncommon but often neglected in the management of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), acute kidney injury (AKI), or patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT). The nature of PBE in the context of kidney diseases is predominantly secondary or reactive and has to be distinguished from primary eosinophilic disorders. Nonetheless, the finding of persistent PBE can be a useful clue for the differential diagnosis of underdiagnosed entities and overlapping syndromes, such as eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), acute interstitial nephritis (AIN), or the hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES). For patients on RRT, PBE may be an indicator for bio-incompatibility of the dialysis material, acute allograft rejection, or Strongyloides hyperinfection. In a subset of patients with EGPA, eosinophils might even be the driving force in disease pathogenesis. This improved understanding is already being used to facilitate novel therapeutic options. Mepolizumab has been licensed for the management of EGPA and is applied with the aim to abrogate the underlying immunologic process by blocking interleukin-5. The current article provides an overview of different renal pathologies that are associated with PBE. Further scientific effort is required to understand the exact role and function of eosinophils in these disorders which may pave the way to improved interdisciplinary management of such patients.

Chronic peritoneal dialysis in children

The incidence of end-stage renal disease in children is increasing. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is the modality of choice in many European countries and is increasingly applied worldwide. PD enables children of all ages to be successfully treated while awaiting the ultimate goal of renal transplantation. The advantages of PD over other forms of renal replacement therapy are numerous, in particular the potential for the child to lead a relatively normal life. Indications for commencing PD, the rationale, preparation of family, technical aspects, and management of complications are discussed.

Effects of interleukin-13 and montelukast on the expression of zonula occludens-1 in human podocytes

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate whether pathologic changes in zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) are induced by interleukin-13 (IL-13) in the experimental minimal-change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) model and to determine whether montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, has an effect on ZO-1 restoration in cultured human podocytes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human podocytes cultured on bovine serum albumin-coated plates were treated with different doses of IL-13 and montelukast and then examined for distribution using confocal microscopy and for ZO-1 protein levels using Western blotting.

RESULTS

ZO-1 was internalized and shown to accumulate in the cytoplasm of human podocytes in an IL-13 dose-dependent manner. High doses (50 and 100 ng/mL) of IL-13 decreased the levels of ZO-1 protein at 12 and 24 h (both p<0.01; n=3), which were significantly reversed by a high dose (0.5 μM) montelukast treatment (p<0.01; n=3).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that IL-13 alters the expression of ZO-1, and such alterations in the content and distribution of ZO-1 may be relevant in the pathogenesis of proteinuria in the MCNS model.