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Objectives: In this study, we investigated whether SARS-CoV-2 stimulates autoantibody production., Methods: The study included 91 patients hospitalized due to COVID 19, with no previous history of immunological diseases. Immunofluorescence assays were performed to detect antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs), along with tests for specific autoantibodies., Results: The median age (57% male) was 74 years (range 38-95 years). Autoantibodies were positive in 67 (74%), ANA in 65 (71%), and ANCA in 11 (12%) patients. Female gender (p = 0.01), age (p = 0.005), and Charlson comorbidity index (p = 0.004) were significant predictors for the development of ANA/ANCA antibodies (p = 0.004). Nuclear mitotic apparatus (NuMA)-like, positivity was the strongest predictor of acute kidney injury (AKI), together with noninvasive ventilation and eGFR (χ 2  = 49.01, P < 0.001)., Conclusion: Positive autoantibodies in a large proportion of patients suggest a role of autoimmunity in the pathophysiology of acute COVID-19 disease. NuMA was the strongest predictor of AKI., (© 2023 International Society for Apheresis and Japanese Society for Apheresis.)

Current knowledge on histopathological changes occurring after COVID-19 in transplanted kidneys is limited. Herein, we present renal allograft pathology findings in patients recovered from COVID-19. Six patients underwent indication biopsy, and one required allograft nephrectomy after acute COVID-19. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, and laboratory findings were recorded. The histopathological analysis included light microscopy, immunostaining, and electron microscopy. Five patients were hospitalized for acute COVID-19, and all were diagnosed with imaging-confirmed pneumonia, one requiring mechanical ventilation, and two requiring dialysis. Two patients had mild form. Histopathologic examination of renal allograft specimens revealed collapsing, perihilar, tip-lesion and secondary FSGS in one patient each. One patient had borderline acute cellular rejection, and two had chronic antibody-mediated rejection. Histopathologic changes of glomerular tufts were accompanied by acute tubular injury in four patients. None of our patients had signs of viral inclusions in kidney cells. One patient died and one remained dialysis-dependent after the good initial response to treatment. Patients with collapsing and perihilar FSGS had further progression of their chronic allograft nephropathy still without need for dialysis. In conclusion, diverse kidney pathology may be found in SARS-CoV-2-infected renal transplant patients. It seems that viral infection may affect the immune system with triggering of glomerular diseases, while the acute tubular injury is of multifactorial etiology. Direct viral effect is less likely., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The aim of the current study was to determine whether plasmapheresis in combination with chemotherapy could significantly remove free light chains (FLC) in multiple myeloma (MM) patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) and therefore improve renal recovery and patient survival. During the study period, 29 patients with MM and AKI presented to our unit and were treated with two different therapy modalities (plasmapheresis with chemotherapy or bortezomib). At the end of treatment, a significant decrease of FLCs was present in the group treated with plasmapheresis compared to the bortezomib group. Patients treated with plasmapheresis had similar survival compared to patients treated with bortezomib. There was a significantly higher decrease of FLCs and longer survival in patients treated with three or more plasmapheresis sessions than in patients treated with two plasmapheresis sessions. Plasmapheresis therapy still remains a useful and effective method in the treatment of AKI in MM patients. Plasmapheresis significantly reduces FLCs compared to bortezomib especially with higher number of plasma exchange sessions but it must be combined with other chemotherapy agents in order to prolong renal recovery and therefore patient survival., (© 2017 International Society for Apheresis, Japanese Society for Apheresis, and Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy.)

We hypothesized that patients with sepsis and AKI, especially patients without preserved renal function, and treated with continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF), have lower risk for mortality than patients treated with continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH). Patients were included if they fulfilled the diagnosis of severe sepsis or septic shock, suffered AKI and received continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in intensive care unit. There were 62 patients treated by CVVH and 75 treated by CVVHDF. Mean survival time was longer in CVVHDF group with oliguric/anuric patients than in CVVH group. CVVH, and not classic risk factors, was associated with higher overall mortality in oliguric/anuric patients. In the linear regression model, hourly urine output was the strongest and positive predictor of longer survival. CVVHDF is according to our results a CRRT modality of choice for the treatment and lower mortality of septic patients with AKI where renal function is no longer preserved. CRRT has been associated with improved renal recovery, but it should be started earlier in AKI evolution with still preserved hourly urine output which is the most sensitive and prognostic marker of survival in septic patients with AKI.