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Kidney involvement appears to be frequent in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Despite this, information concerning renal involvement in COVID-19 is still scarce. Several mechanisms appear to be involved in the complex relationship between the virus and the kidney. Also, different morphological patterns have been described in the kidneys of patients with COVID-19. For some authors, however, this association may be just a coincidence. To investigate this issue, we propose assessing renal morphology associated with COVID-19 at the renal pathology reference center of federal university hospitals in Brazil. Data will come from a consortium involving 17 federal university hospitals belonging to Empresa Brasileira de Serviços Hospitalares (EBSERH) network, as well as some state hospitals and an autopsy center. All biopsies will be sent to the referral center for renal pathology of the EBSERH network. The data will include patients who had coronavirus disease, both alive and deceased, with or without pre-existing kidney disease. Kidney biopsies will be analyzed by light, fluorescence, and electron microscopy. Furthermore, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for various inflammatory cells (i.e., cells expressing CD3, CD20, CD4, CD8, CD138, CD68, and CD57) as well as angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) will be performed on paraffinized tissue sections. In addition to ultrastructural assays, in situ hybridization (ISH), IHC and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) will be used to detect Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in renal tissue. For the patients diagnosed with Collapsing Glomerulopathy, peripheral blood will be collected for apolipoprotein L-1 (APOL1) genotyping. For patients with thrombotic microangiopathy, thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13 (ADAMTS13), antiphospholipid, and complement panel will be performed. The setting of this study is Brazil, which is second behind the United States in highest confirmed cases and deaths. With this complete approach, we hope to help define the spectrum and impact, whether immediate or long-term, of kidney injury caused by SARS-CoV-2.

Background Bone and mineral disorders commonly affect kidney transplant (KTx) recipients and have been associated with a high risk of fracture. Bisphosphonates may prevent or treat bone loss in such patients, but there is concern that these drugs might induce adynamic bone disease (ABD). Methods In an open label, randomized trial to assess the safety and efficacy of zoledronate for preventing bone loss in the first year after kidney transplant, we randomized 34 patients before transplant to receive zoledronate or no treatment. We used dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT), and bone biopsies to evaluate changes in bone in the 32 evaluable participants between the time of KTx and 12 months post-transplant. Results Both groups of patients experienced decreased bone turnover after KTx, but zoledronate itself did not affect this outcome. Unlike previous studies, DXA showed no post-transplant bone loss in either group; we instead observed an increase of bone mineral density in both lumbar spine and total hip sites, with a significant positive effect of zoledronate. However, bone biopsies showed post-transplant impairment of trabecular connectivity (and no benefit from zoledronate); HR-pQCT detected trabecular bone loss at the peripheral skeleton, which zoledronate partially attenuated. Conclusions Current immunosuppressive regimens do not contribute to post-transplant central skeleton trabecular bone loss, and zoledronate does not induce ABD. Because fractures in transplant recipients are most commonly peripheral fractures, clinicians should consider bisphosphonate use in patients at high fracture risk who have evidence of significantly low bone mass at these sites at the time of KTx.

Results from bone biopsy and high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) were compared in 31 CKD patients. There was an agreement mainly for cortical compartment that may represent a perspective on the fracture risk assessment. HR-pQCT also provided some clues on the turnover status, which warrants further studies. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are at high risk of bone disease. Although bone biopsy is considered the best method to evaluate bone disease, it is expensive and not always available. Here we have compared, for the first time, data obtained from bone biopsy and HR-pQCT in a sample of CKD patients on dialysis. HR-pQCT and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) were performed in 31 CKD patients (30 on dialysis). Biopsies were analyzed by quantitative histomorphometry, and classified according to TMV. We have found an inverse correlation between radius cortical density measured by HR-pQCT, with serum, as well as histomorphometric bone remodeling markers. Trabecular density and BV/TV measured through HR-pQCT in the distal radius correlated with trabecular and mineralized trabecular bone volume. Trabecular number, separation, and thickness obtained from HR-pQCT and from bone biopsy correlated with each other. Patients with cortical porosity on bone histomorphometry presented lower cortical density at the distal radius. Cortical density at radius was higher while bone alkaline phosphatase was lower in patients with low turnover. Combined, these parameters could identify the turnover status better than individually. There was an agreement between HR-pQCT and bone biopsy parameters, particularly in cortical compartment, which may point to a new perspective on the fracture risk assessment for CKD patients. Besides classical bone resorption markers, HR-pQCT provided some clues on the turnover status by measurements of cortical density at radius, although the significance of this finding warrants further studies.

In an attempt to clarify the mechanisms of post-transplant bone disease we investigated the bone content and gene expression of several bone-related proteins. After a successful kidney transplant, the content of sclerostin in bone biopsies was found to be increased as measured by immunohistochemistry, multiplex assay, and gene expression despite a concomitant decrease of sclerostin in the serum. The phosphorylation of beta-catenin was increased, confirming Wnt pathway inhibition, an effect accompanied by an increase of the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL) and a decrease of osteoprotegerin protein levels in both serum and bone. Thus, changes in circulating biomarkers after kidney transplantation cannot be easily extrapolated to concomitant changes occurring in the bone. Hence, overall treatment decisions post kidney transplant should not be based on serum biochemistry alone.

Introduction In the intensive care unit (ICU), mortality is considered higher among renal transplant recipients than among nontransplantation patients. However, data regarding severe complications after kidney transplantation are scarce. Materials and Methods In this study, we evaluated all consecutive renal transplant recipients admitted to our ICU between July 2012 and July 2013 (n = 70), comparing their outcomes with those of a control group of nontransplantation patients admitted during the same period (n = 153). Among the transplant recipients, we compared survivors and nonsurvivors to identify predictors of ICU mortality. Results The mean age of the transplant recipients was 52 ± 13 years. Of the 70 transplant recipients, 18 (25%) required mechanical ventilation, 28 (40%) required inotropic support, and 27 (39%) required hemodialysis, all of which are factors that worsen the prognosis significantly. Twenty-two (31%) of the transplant recipients died in the ICU and 17 (24%) died within 30 days after ICU discharge, rates similar to those observed for the control group. Conclusions We observed similar mortality between recipient and control groups, albeit the mortality was higher in the clinical group. In the multivariate model, the need for mechanical ventilation and the need for hemodialysis were independently associated with mortality.

Chronic kidney disease--mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) is a complex syndrome influenced by various factors, such as age, CKD etiology, uremic toxins, and dialysis modality. Although extensively studied in hemodialysis (HD) patients, only a few studies exist for peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Since most of these older studies contain no bone biopsy data, we studied the pattern of renal osteodystrophy in 41 prevalent PD patients. The most common presentation was adynamic bone disease (49%). There was a significant inverse association between serum sclerostin (a Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor that decreases osteoblast action and bone formation) and the bone formation rate. Bone alkaline phosphatase had the best sensitivity and specificity to detect both high- and low-turnover diseases. The comparison between nondiabetic PD and HD patients, matched by age, gender, parathyroid hormone level, and length of dialysis, revealed low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, worse bone mineralization, and low bone turnover in the nondiabetic PD group. Thus, adynamic bone disease was the most frequent type of renal osteodystrophy in PD patients. Sclerostin seems to participate in the pathophysiology of adynamic bone disease and bone alkaline phosphatase was the best serum marker of bone turnover in these patients.

The trabecular bone score (TBS) is a novel tool using grayscale variograms of the lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) to assess trabecular bone microarchitecture. Studies in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) suggest it may be helpful in assessing fracture risk. However, TBS has not been validated as a measure of trabecular architecture against transiliac bone biopsy with histomorphometry in CKD patients. We hypothesized that TBS would reflect trabecular architecture at the iliac crest in CKD patients. We obtained tetracycline double labeled transiliac crest bone biopsy, areal BMD of the spine, total hip, femoral neck (FN) and spine TBS by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and cortical and trabecular volumetric density and microarchitecture by high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) in CKD patients from two centers: twenty-two patients from Columbia University Medical Center, USA and thirty patients from Hospital das Clinicas - Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil. Two patients were excluded for outlier status. Univariate and multivariate relationships between TBS and measures from DXA, HR-pQCT and histomorphometry were determined. Patients were 50.2 ± 15.8 years old, 23 (46%) were men, and 33 (66%) were on dialysis. TBS was1.31 in 21 (42%) patients and 22%, 14% and 10% had T-scores ≤ -2.5 at spine, FN and total hip respectively. In univariate regression, TBS was significantly associated with trabecular bone volume (BV/TV), trabecular width (Tb.Wi), trabecular spacing, cortical width but not with trabecular number or cortical porosity. FN Z-score and height were also associated with cancellous BV/TV and Tb.Wi, In multivariate analysis, TBS remained an independent predictor of BV/TV and Tb.Wi. There were no relationships between TBS and dynamic parameters from histomorphometry. These data suggest that TBS reflected trabecular microarchitecture and cortical width measured by bone biopsy in CKD patients. Future studies should address its utility in the identification of CKD patients who may benefit from fracture prevention strategies.

Purpose Osteoblasts and adipocytes are derived from mesenchymal stem cells. An imbalance in the differentiation of these lineages could affect the preservation of bone integrity. Several studies have suggested the importance of this imbalance in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis after kidney transplant (KT), but the role of bone marrow adiposity in this process is not well known, and if the treatment with the anti-absorptive (zoledronic acid-ZA) drugs could attenuate bone loss. Thus, our objective was compare bone marrow adiposity, osteoblasts and osteocytes before and after KT, verify an association between bone remodeling process (Turnover, Volume, and Mineralization—TMV classification), the osteocyte sclerostin expression to evaluate if there is a role of Wnt pathway, as well as the effect of ZA on these cells. Methods We studied 29 new living-donor KT patients. One group received ZA at the time of KT plus cholecalciferol for twelve months, and the other group received only cholecalciferol. Bone biopsies were performed at baseline and after 12 months of treatment. Histomorphometric evaluation was performed in bone and bone marrow adipocytes. Sclerostin (Scl) expression in osteocytes was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results Some bone marrow adiposity parameters were increased before KT. After KT, some of them remained increased and they worsened with the use of ZA. In the baseline, lower bone Volume and Turnover, were associated with increased bone marrow adiposity parameters (some of them). After KT, both groups showed the same associations. Osteocyte Scl expression after KT decreased with the use of ZA. We observed also an inverse association between bone adiposity parameters and lower osteocyte sclerostin expression 12 months after KT. Conclusion In conclusion, the present study suggests that KT fails to normalize bone marrow adiposity, and it even gets worse with the use of ZA. Moreover, bone marrow adiposity is inversely associated with bone Volume and Turnover, which seems to be accentuated by the antiresorptive therapy.

Background Among kidney transplant recipients (KTRs), tuberculosis is one of the most common opportunistic infections and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to describe the incidence, clinical features, and prognosis of tuberculosis in KTRs. Methods Retrospective single-center observational study involving all cases of tuberculosis in KTRs between 2000 and 2010. Results Of the 1549 KTRs evaluated, 43 (2.8%) developed tuberculosis, translating to an annual incidence of 803 cases/100 000 patients, considerably higher than that reported for the general population of Brazil. The median time to tuberculosis (TB) onset after transplantation was 196 d (range, 19–3626 d). Of the KTRs with tuberculosis, 67% became infected within the first year post-transplant, 74% had pulmonary tuberculosis, and 7% had a previous history of active tuberculosis. No tuberculosis prophylaxis was employed before or after transplantation. The most common symptoms were fever (in 79%), cough (in 35%), and dyspnea (in 16%). The median time from the onset of symptoms to the start of treatment was 28 d. The median duration of antituberculosis therapy was 196 d. In 15 patients (35%), the immunosuppressive therapy was reduced, and the incidence of acute rejection was higher in patients with tuberculosis than in those without (44% vs. 28%). Mortality during tuberculosis treatment was 12% (5 cases), and all five deaths were attributed to tuberculosis. Ten-yr death-censored graft survival and patient survival were similar between patients with tuberculosis and those without. Conclusion Among KTRs, symptoms of tuberculosis are often attenuated, which leads to delayed diagnosis, and tuberculosis-related mortality remains high.

Distúrbios do metabolismo mineral e da remodelação óssea são complicações comuns que afetam pacientes após o transplante renal e representam importantes causas de morbidade e mortalidade. Estas alterações esqueléticas são resultantes de uma complexa interposição de fatores, incluindo uma resolução incompleta das alterações minerais e ósseas devido ao funcionamento deficiente do enxerto, a ação de drogas imunossupressoras e a presença de fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de osteoporose que acometem a população geral. Bisfosfonatos podem prevenir ou atenuar a perda óssea após o transplante renal. Receptores de transplante renal com doador vivo foram randomizados para tratamento com dose única de 5 mg de ácido zoledrônico após o transplante associado à suplementação de colecalciferol ou com apenas colecalciferol. Realizamos densitometrias (DXA), microtomografias (HRpQCT) e biópsias ósseas à época do transplante e ao final dos 12 meses do estudo, e avaliamos a correlação entre estas técnicas invasivas e não invasivas. Houve uma boa concordância entre a HR-pQCT e a biópsia óssea transilíaca com relação ao compartimento cortical. No osso trabecular, embora estatisticamente significantes e maiores do que as descritas na população geral, as correlações entre os dois métodos foram apenas de moderada intensidade. Os pacientes não perderam tanta massa óssea quanto era esperado. Houve um aumento da densidade mineral óssea (DMO) medida por DXA no fêmur total em ambos os grupos, mas na coluna lombar apenas nos pacientes que receberam ácido zoledrônico. Por HR-pQCT do rádio, observou-se que esta diferença de DMO em favor do grupo ácido zoledrônico foi evidenciada na região cortical. A análise histomorfométrica das biópsias ósseas demonstrou uma diminuição na porosidade e aumento da espessura cortical, mais evidente nos pacientes que receberam ácido zoledrônico. Os pacientes do grupo ácido zoledrônico apresentaram supressão dos parâmetros de formação e reabsorção óssea; entretanto, não houve um risco aumentado de desenvolvimento de doença óssea adinâmica (DOA) ou defeito de mineralização, quando comparados com o grupo controle. Os benefícios observados sobre osso cortical, aliados a um perfil de segurança favorável e à possibilidade de prevenir fraturas, fazem com que ainda haja espaço para o uso dos bisfosfonatos após o transplante renal. Mais estudos são necessários até que o uso profilático de bisfosfonatos seja recomendado para prevenir a perda óssea em receptores de transplante de rim Bone and mineral disorders occur frequently in kidney transplant recipients and are associated with a high risk of fracture, morbidity, and mortality. Post-transplantation bone disease results from the evolution of preexisting renal osteodystrophy, use of glucocorticoids and other immunosuppressive drugs and other risk factors for osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates may prevent or ameliorate the bone loss after kidney transplantation. We randomly assigned 34 new living-donor kidney recipients to either 5 mg of zoledronic acid plus cholecalciferol or cholecalciferol alone for 12 months. We obtained bone mineral density (BMD) by DXA, microcomputed tomography (HR-pQCT) and bone biopsies at the time of kidney transplant and after 12 months of protocol treatment. Correlations between invasive and noninvasive techniques that assesses trabecular and cortical bone microarchitecture were made. There was a good agreement between HR-pQCT and transiliac bone biopsies regarding cortical compartment. Conversely, in trabecular bone, despite being statistically significant and greater than that described for the general population, the correlations between both methods were modest. The expected decrease in BMD after kidney transplantation did not occurred. On the contrary, there was an increase in BMD at total femur in both groups, and at lumbar spine in the zoledronic acid group. HR-pQCT data showed that this gain of bone mass in zoledronic acid group was in cortical bone. The bone histomorphometric analysis demonstrated a decrease in cortical porosity and increase in cortical width, more evident in zoledronic acid group. Bone turnover markers decreased in both groups, however there was no risk of adynamic bone disease or mineralization defect with zoledronic acid. The benefits observed on cortical bone, combined with a favorable safety profile and the ability to prevent fractures suggest that there is still room for the use of bisphosphonates after kidney transplantation. Further studies are needed before the use of prophylactic bisphosphonates to attenuate bone loss can be recommended in kidney transplant recipients

Objective: To evaluate clinicopathological features and treatment response in patients with lupus nephritis (LN), comparing the childhood- and late-onset forms of the disease. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical presentation, treatment and evolution in patients diagnosed with LN by renal biopsy between 1999 and 2008. Patients were grouped by age—≤18 years ( n = 23); and ≥50 years ( n = 13)—and were followed for the first year of treatment. Results: The baseline features of the childhood- and late-onset groups, respectively, were as follows: mean age, 15 ± 2 and 54 ± 5 years; female gender, 87% and 92%; hypertension, 87% and 77%; Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index, 29 ± 9 and 17 ± 7 ( p = 0.002); estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), 86 ± 66 and 70 ± 18 ml/min; concurrent SLE/LN diagnosis, 90% and 15% ( p 10%), 39% and 61% ( p = 0.08). Treatment consisted mainly of methylprednisolone, prednisone and intravenous cyclophosphamide, average cumulative doses being similar between the groups. After 12 months of treatment, the eGFR in the younger and older patients was 116 ± 62 and 78 ± 20 ml/min, respectively ( p = 0.005). Three of the younger patients progressed to dialysis at 12 months, compared with none of the older patients. Conclusion: Childhood-onset LN seems to be more severe than is late-onset LN.

INTRODUÇÃO: No contexto atual da elevada escassez de órgãos para o transplante renal e do reconhecimento cada vez maior da rejeição crônica mediada por anticorpos anti-HLA como uma importante causa de perda do enxerto, uma contínua demonstração da boa evolução a longo prazo de transplantes renais com doadores vivos não aparentados (DVNA) é de suma importância. OBJETIVOS: Analisar a sobrevida do enxerto e dos pacientes transplantados com DVNA, e compará-la com doadores vivos aparentados (DVA). MÉTODOS: Foram analisados 389 primeiros transplantes renais com doador vivo realizados em um único centro, entre janeiro de 1998 e dezembro de 2007, 281 com DVA e 108 com DVNA. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença significativa na sobrevida dos pacientes (89,1% vs. 84,7%, p = 0,40) e do enxerto (81,1% vs. 68,9%, p = 0,77), em 10 anos de seguimento, entre DVA e DVNA, respectivamente. Na análise multivariada do modelo de regressão proporcional de Cox, a reatividade contra painel (PRA) > 10% e a ocorrência de rejeição aguda no 1º ano após o transplante foram os únicos preditores independentes de perda do enxerto (OR 2,54, IC 95% 1,35 - 4,78; p < 0,05 e OR 4,1, IC 95% 2,04 -4,78; p < 0,05, respectivamente). CONCLUSÃO: Transplantes renais com DVNA representam uma importante fonte de órgãos para suprir uma crescente demanda, com resultados semelhantes aos transplantes com DVA, independente da compatibilidade HLA. INTRODUCTION: In the current era of scarcity of kidneys available for transplantation, and chronic anti-HLA-mediated rejection as a main cause of graft loss, continuous demonstration of the long-term survival of grafts from living unrelated kidney donors (LURD) is paramount. OBJECTIVE: Analyze long-term kidney graft and patient outcomes using LURD, and compare them with living related donors (LRD). METHODS: We analyzed the 389 first renal transplantations performed with a living donor (281 LRD and 108 LURD), in a single center, from January 1998 through December 2007. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between LRD and LURD as refers to patient survival (89.1% vs. 84.7%, p = 0.40, respectively) and graft survival (81.1% vs. 68.9%, p = 0.77, respectively), 10 years post-transplantation. On Cox proportional regression model of multivariate analysis, panel reactive antibodies (PRA) > 10% and the occurrence of acute rejection in the first year posttransplantation were the only independent predictors of graft loss (HR 2.54, 95% CI 1.35 -4.78; p < 0.05 and HR 4.1, 95% CI 2.04 - 4.78; p < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: LURD are an important source of organs for renal transplantation, with results similar to those obtained with LRD, regardless of HLA matching.

The majority of severe hypersensitivity reactions in hemodialysis patients have occurred due to sensitization to ethylene oxide or to nonbiocompatible membrane dialyzers. The use of polysulfone dialyzers rarely causes hypersensitivity reactions. In the present study, we describe a case of severe life-threatening reactions induced by polysulfone dialyzers (from different manufacturers subjected to a variety of sterilization methods), which occurred after 9 sessions of hemodialysis with the same prescription, exemplifying the complexity of such reactions.

Posttransplant thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA)/hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) can occur as a recurrent or de novo disease.A retrospective single-center observational study was applied in order to examine the incidence and outcomes of de novo TMA/HUS among transplantations performed between 2000 and 2010. Recurrent HUS or antibody-mediated rejections were excluded.Seventeen (1.1%) among 1549 kidney transplant recipients fulfilled criteria for de novo TMA. The mean follow-up was 572 days (range, 69-1769). Maintenance immunosuppression was prednisone, tacrolimus (TAC), and mycophenolic acid in 14 (82%) patients. Mean age at onset was 40 ± 15 years, and serum creatinine was 6.1 ± 4.1 mg/dL. TMA occurred at a median of 25 days (range, 1-1755) after transplantation. Nine (53%) patients developed TMA within 1 month of transplantation and only 12% after 1 year. Clinical features were anemia (hemoglobin10 g/dL) in 9 (53%) patients, thrombocytopenia in 7 (41%), and increased lactate dehydrogenase in 12 (70%). Decreased haptoglobin was observed in 64% and schistocytes in 35%. Calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) withdrawal or reduction was the first step in the management of 10/15 (66%) patients, and 6 (35%) received fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and/or plasmapheresis. TAC was successfully reintroduced in six patients after a median of 17 days. Eight (47%) patients needed dialytic support after TMA diagnosis and 75% remained on dialysis. At 4 years of follow-up, death-censored graft survival was worse for TMA group (43.0% versus 85.6%, log-rank = 0.001; hazard ratio = 3.74) and there was no difference in patient survival (53.1% versus 82.2%, log-rank = 0.24).De novo TMA after kidney transplantation is a rare but severe condition with poor graft outcomes. This syndrome may not be fully manifested, and clinical suspicion is essential for early diagnosis and treatment, based mainly in CNI withdrawal and FFP infusions and/or plasmapheresis.

Imatinib mesylate is an anticancer agent that selectively inhibits protein kinases involved in the pathophysiology of cancer. It is now the first-line therapy for patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and is generally well tolerated. Here, we describe a case of a patient receiving imatinib for CML. The patient developed renal failure accompanied by severe hypophosphataemia, hypokalaemia and hypomagnesaemia. We discuss the pathophysiological characteristics of imatinib-induced renal injury, and we demonstrate that these electrolyte disturbances were caused by increased urinary excretion of phosphate and potassium. Early diagnosis and correction of imatinib-induced renal injury and electrolyte disorders can improve clinical outcomes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of donor and recipient characteristics on duration of delayed graft function (DGF) and 1-year serum creatinine (SCr), as a surrogate endpoint for allograft survival. Methods: We reviewed 120 first cadaver kidney transplants carried out consecutively at our center to examine the effect on 1-year SCr of the presence and duration of DGF. Results: DGF rate was 68%, with a median duration of 12 days (range, 1-61). Forty-four (38%) patients presented DGF lasting 12 or more days (prolonged DGF group). Mean donor age was 43 ± 13 years, 37% had hypertension and in 59% the cause of brain death was cardiovascular accident. The mean cold ischemia time was 23 ± 5 hours. Twenty-seven (23%) donors were classified as expanded-criteria donors according to OPTN criteria. The mean recipient age was 51 ± 15 years. The recipients median time in dialysis was 43 months (range, 1-269) and 25% of them had panel reactive antibodies > 0%. Patients with prolonged DGF presented higher 1-year SCr in comparison with patients without DGF (1.7 vs. 1.3 mg/dL, respectively, p = 0.03). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the only significant factor contributing to the occurrence of prolonged DGF was the presence of vascular lesions in the kidney allograft at time of transplantation (HR 3.6, 95% CI 1.2-10.2; p = 0.02). Conclusion: The presence of vasculopathy in the kidney allograft at time of transplantation was identified as an important factor independently associated with prolonged DGF. Prolonged DGF negatively impacts 1-year graft function.

Haemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) is a rare and potentially lethal condition characterized by pancytopoenia, fever, organomegaly and widespread proliferation of macrophages phagocytosing blood elements. Among the triggers of this syndrome, excessive immunosuppression in a context of acute rejection has been rarely reported, although it might be underdiagnosed. Here, we report the case of a kidney transplant recipient with allograft dysfunction due to chronic antibody-mediated rejection treated with antithymocyte globulin and plasmapheresis. The patient developed high fever, pancytopoenia, diarrhoea and respiratory symptoms with no apparent infectious or neoplastic cause, despite an extensive work-up. Haemophagocytosis was found in bone marrow examination, along with hyperferritinaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia. The clinical profile improved after treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and reduction of the basal immunosuppression.

The diagnosis of a catecholamine-secreting pheochromocytoma is always suggested by occurrence of severe and symptomatic paroxysmal hypertension. However, in most patients this diagnosis is not confirmed, despite extensive investigation. 1 Traditionally, besides pheochromocytoma, the differential diagnosis in cases of paroxysmal hypertension associated with catecholamine excess should include cocaine use, antiparkinsonian drugs, obstructive sleep apnoea and baroreflex failure. 2 Nonetheless, when the paroxysmal hypertension is associated not only with catecholamine excess, but also with neurologic signs, a very rare differential diagnosis should also be considered: a brainstem tumour mimicking pheochromocytoma. 3―5 .