Benefits of Routine Screening for Renal Cell Carcinoma of Native Kidney in Renal Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND

Renal-cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common solid organ cancer in kidney transplantation recipients (KTRs).

BACKGROUND

Analyze the incidence, prognosis, and evolution of primitive kidney RCC in KTRs at our institution.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Observational descriptive retrospective study in which all KTRs from January 2000 to December 2022 were included. We performed an annual abdominal ultrasound in all KTRs. Demographic and clinical data were collected. The surgical approach, location, size, histologic type, and tumor grade were analyzed. We assessed the coexistence of risk factors. We reported the appearance of tumors in other locations, changes in immunosuppressants (IS) after the diagnosis, and survival and recurrence rates observed during follow-up.

RESULTS

Eighteen RCCs of native kidneys were diagnosed with an incidence in our population of 1.08%. The majority were men (77.8%), with a mean age of 59.9 years. The pathologic analysis revealed 11 clear cell carcinomas, 6 papillary carcinomas, and 1 chromophobe cell carcinoma. The median tumor size was 2.7 cm. TNM stage was T1aN0M0 in 15 cases. Laparoscopy was performed to remove the tumor in most cases. All our patients underwent changes in IS therapy, with conversion to mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors when possible and reduction of IS in all of them. After a mean follow-up of 78.6 months, survival was 100% without tumor recurrence. Seven of the patients were diagnosed with a new tumor in another location.

CONCLUSION

In our experience, annual abdominal ultrasound in KTRs may be an option for the early detection of RCC in native kidneys.

Impact of physical exercise in patients with chronic kidney disease: Sistematic review and meta-analysis

Physical exercise may offer multiple benefits to patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, it was not traditionally recommended because of the possibility of impairing renal function and increasing proteinuria. The objective of this study is to review the clinical trials on physical exercise in patients with CKD and describe its effect on the progression of kidney disease and other factors associated. Randomized clinical trials (RCT) comparing an intervention that included an exercise component with a control group without physical exercise in non-dialysis patients with CKD from 2007 to 2018 in English and Spanish were included. PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Ovid (Medline) and PEDro databases were used for the search. Effects of physical exercise were summarized by the standardized mean difference (SMD). No differences were found in glomerular filtration rate or proteinuria between the intervention group and the control group: SMD -0.3 (P=.81); SMD 26.6 (P=.82). Positive effects were obtained on peak oxygen consumption: SMD 2.5 (P<.001), functional capacity: SMD 56.6 (P<.001), upper limb strength: SMD 6.8 (P<.001) and hemoglobin: SMD 0.3 (P=.003). An improvement on the quality of life was also evident using the KDQOL-36 survey: SMD 3.56 (P=.02) and the SF-36 survey: SMD 6.66 (P=.02). In conclusion, the practice of low-intensity physical exercise routinely has no negative impact on renal function. On the contrary, it improves aerobic and functional capacity, impacting positively on the quality of life.

Characteristics and Evolution of Renal Transplant Recipients Infected by Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae

BACKGROUND

Renal transplant (RT) recipients are especially susceptible to carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) infections. However, published experience is limited.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the characteristics and evolution of RT recipients with KPC infection in our hospital.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of all RT recipients with KPC infection in our hospital from December 1, 2017 (first case), to July 31, 2019. For each RT recipient infected with KPC, 3 controls were selected.

RESULTS

During the study period, 8 RT recipients presented KPC infection. Seven were detected in the first year post-RT. The most common site of infection was urine. In 2 cases the germ was isolated in blood. The number of patients with diabetes was significantly higher in the group with KPC infection (P = .023), and urologic interventions were more frequent in those patients (P = .039). No differences were found in the immunosuppressive treatment. A total of 62.5 % of patients required readmission after the KPC infection. One patient died of septicemia by KPC. In all these cases, the clone of KPC isolated was KPC ST512.

CONCLUSION

KPC infection is more frequent in the first months after the RT and causes an important number of hospital admissions. It can be cause of death in RT recipients, especially in those with isolation of the germ in blood. Diabetes and urologic interventions were more frequent in this population. The analysis by molecular typing suggests exposure to a common source, highlighting the importance of preventive isolation measures and surveillance for limiting the transmission of this bacteria.

Direct-Acting Antiretroviral Therapy in Renal Transplant Recipients With Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Hepatitis C Virus Coinfection: Report of Our Experience and Literature Review

A minor graft and patient survival are described in renal transplant recipients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection than in recipients infected with only HIV. The high efficacy of direct-acting antivirals could improve the results. The experience reported in renal transplant recipients with coinfection is very limited.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We analyzed the evolution of renal recipients with HIV-HCV coinfection treated with direct-acting antivirals in our center. Clinical, analytical, and microbiological variables were collected before and after treatment.

RESULTS

From 2001 to 2018 we performed 11 renal transplants in patients with HIV infection, and 6 (54.5%) had HIV-HCV coinfection. One patient lost the graft before the development of direct-acting antivirals. Another patient with functioning graft has refused to receive any treatment. Four patients have been treated with direct-acting antivirals. One was treated 18 months before the transplant; 3 received treatment after transplant. All received sofosbuvir-based therapies. All had a sustained virologic response after 12 weeks and an improvement of liver function. In the patients treated after renal transplant, time post transplant at the beginning of treatment was 99.6 (SD, 22.8) months, and follow-up after treatment in all patients was 40.2 (SD, 8.16) months. To modify immunosuppressive regimen was not necessary, although 2 patients required an increase of tacrolimus doses. We do not observe deterioration of renal function. All have maintained a good immunologic and microbiological control without requiring changes in antiretrovirals. We do not observe complications associated with treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Direct-acting antivirals therapy is safe and effective and may offer new possibilities to patients with HIV-HCV coinfection.