Search

Glomerulonephritis associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) vasculitis still has a high prevalence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), particularly in patients with advanced renal failure at presentation. This study aims to evaluate the clinical and histo- pathological features of renal involvement and investigate factors associated with ESRD. Patients with renal biopsy-proven ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis were included retrospectively over a period of nine years (June 2007 to March 2016). The renal survival, defined as time to reach ESRD, was evaluated based on clinical parameters, histopathological classification, and renal risk score. A total of 37 patients with crescentic glomerulonephritis were included in the study. The average age was 54 ± 16 years (range: 17-80) and 51.3% were female. Twenty-two patients were diagnosed with microscopic polyangiitis and 15 had granulomatosis with polyangiitis. The median glomerular filtration rate at presentation was 16.73 mL/min/1.73 m2. Thirty-five patients (94.5%) had renal failure at presentation and 23 patients (62.1%) required initial hemodialysis (HD) therapy. The pattern of glomerular injury was categorized as sclerotic in 48.6% of cases, crescentic in 24.3%, mixed in 24.3%, and focal class in 2.7%. Regarding renal risk score, we had five patients with low risk, 17 with intermediate risk and 15 with high risk. ESRD occurred in 47% of intermediate-risk group and 66% of the high risk group. During follow-up, 17 patients (45.9%) developed ESRD. Tobacco addiction (P = 0.02), alveolar hemorrhage (P = 0.04), hypertension (P = 0.04), initial HD (P = 0.04), and sclerotic class (P = 0.004) were associated with ESRD. In our patients, a sclerotic class was associated with a higher risk of ESRD, suggesting that histo- pathological classification is potentially an important parameter to predict outcomes in renal disease secondary to ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Dialysis patients have higher rates of sudden cardiac death. The study of the electrocardiogram could identify patients at risk of developing rhythm disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the electrocardiographic findings before and after the hemodialysis (HD) session and to examine associations of clinical and serum electrolytes with electrocardiogram findings. We conducted a multicentric transversal study, including chronic HD patients during January 2018. Standard 12-lead electrocardiogram was recorded, before and after the HD session. A medical history was documented. It included age, gender, initial nephropathy, and comorbidities. Serum potassium and total serum calcium were measured before a routine HD session. Serum potassium was measured after HD session. Corrected QT for heart rate was calculated using Bazett’s formula. The study included 66 patients. Nineteen patients (28.8%) had hyperkalemia before the HD session and 44 (66.7%) patients had hypokalemia after the HD session. Seventeen patients had prolonged QTc interval (25.7%). On multiple regression analysis, only the prolonged QTc interval was significantly correlated with the serum potassium (P = 0.046).When comparing the mean values of electrocardiogram parameters before and after the HD session, we noted a significant change of heart rate (P = 0.001), R wave (P = 0.016), T wave (P = 0.001), and T/R (P = 0.001) wave. Delta K+ did not correlate with the change in T wave amplitude (r = 0.23, P = 0.59), R wave amplitude (r = –0.16, P = 0.2), T/R wave (r = 0.055, P = 0.65), or QRS duration (r = 0.023, P = 0.85). Delta QTc was correlated to ΔK+. We conclude that usual electrographic manifestations of hyperkalemia are less pronounced in HD patients. Our results confirmed the unstable status of cardiac electrophysiology during HD session.

Background and Aims Fluid status evaluation is essential to adjust the dry weight(DW) in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients. Bioelectric impedance is a non invasive technique. Its contribution in HD population is well demonatrated. The aim of this study is to compare evaluation of fluid status clinically and by bioimpedance analysis. Method It’s a transversal study conducted in December 2018.We included chronic dialysis patients( for more 3 months) having 3 dialysis sessions(DS) a week. Bioimpedance analysis (BIA) was performed before and after DS. Results There were 26 patients with an average age of 51,4 years. Sex ratio was 3,33 . Average period spent in HD was 73,7 months. Vascular access was a native arteriovenous fistula in 24 patients, and a catheter in 2 patients. Seven patients had residual diuresis. Average ultrafiltration rate was 2,82 L (10 mL/Kg/h). Before DS, 20 patients had no clinical signs of fluid overload. Unconformity with BIA was noted in 12 patients, with a subclinical overload in all cases. Six patients had clinical signs of fluid overload (including hypertension (HT) in 5 cases), which was concordant with BIA. After DS, 22 patients reached their DW with a correct hydration status, 2 patients still had clinical signs of fluid overload, and 2 had isolated HTA. BIA revealed the persistence of fluid overload in 10 patients contrasting with the absence of clinical signs of hypervolemia in 8 patients. Patients who kept only HT had a normal hydration status. Conclusion Fluid status is an important adequacy issue in the treatment of renal failure. It’s a modifiable risk factor associated to mortality. Bioimpedance analysis is a great help to precise dry weight that must be integrated into our daily practice.

Background and Aims Current literature suggests the arteriovenous fistula (AVF) to be the preferred type of vascular access for hemodialysis. However, AVFs have significant and potentially deleterious effects on cardiac functions particularly in the setting of preexisting heart disease. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical and echocardiographic evolution after creation of a proximal AVF and a radial AVF. Method We conducted a retrospective descriptive study including all chronic hemodialysis patients through AVF. Group 1 (G1) included patients with proximal AVF and group 2 (G2) patients with radial AVF. Results Twenty-four patients were collected in G1 and the average age was 55 years. G2 included 13 patients with a mean age of 44 years. Systolic blood pressure decreased after AVF creation in both groups (G1: 62.5%, G2: 45%, NS). A dyspnea was noted in 70% of cases of G1 and 38.4% of cases of G2 (NS). The interventricular septum was thickened in 20.8% of cases of G1 and 38.4% of G2 (NS). Left ventricular (LV) dilatation was observed in both groups with LV diastolic telegram diameter increase of 58% in G1 versus 10% in G2 (p = 0.04). A decrease in LV ejection fraction was found in 62.5% in G1 and 46.1% in G2 (p = 0.066). The major cardiac complications in G1 were acute coronary syndrome in 5 patients and atrial fibrillation in 4 cases after an average of 60 months and 35 months, respectively. No cardiac complications were noted in G2. Conclusion AVFs remain the preferred type of vascular access for chronic hemodialysis therapy because they are associated with better long-term patency and fewer complications compared with synthetic grafts. Its seat will depend on the vascular state and the cardiac status of the dialysis patient.

Thalidomide, which is an angiogenesis inhibitor and immunomodulator that reduces tumor necrosis factor-alpha, has regained value in the treatment of multiple myeloma. Serious pulmonary complications due to thalidomide use remain relatively uncommon. We describe a case of bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) due to thalidomide. A 51-year-old man with IgG lambda myeloma was treated with thalidomide and dexamethasone. Seven days after the beginning of chemotherapy, the patient presented a fever and a persistent cough. Auscultation revealed crackles in both pulmonary bases. The chest X-ray showed a diffuse bilateral alveolar-interstitial syndrome. Computed tomography scan revealed bilateral pulmonary involvement, with bilateral interstitial alveolar infiltration and ground-glass pattern consolidations. Pulmonary infection, malignant tumor, and lung involvement of multiple myeloma were excluded through various tests. Thalidomide-induced BOOP was suspected, and the drug was withdrawn and replaced by Melphalan. The patient had complete resolution of his symptoms and radiologic pulmonary involvement on discontinuation of the drug. In the absence of other etiologies, physicians should be cognizant of this potential complication in patients receiving thalidomide who present with respiratory symptoms.

Pellagra usually results from niacin deficiency and presents with the classic triad of dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia. It is most commonly associated with malnutrition and poverty. We report a case of pellagra in a hemodialysis (HD) patient with breast neoplasia, aged 68-years, female, on HD unit for seven years. Her original nephropathy was indeterminate. The patient was followed up for homozygous beta-thalassemia and breast neoplasia with hepatic metastases on chemotherapy. The body mass index of the patient was 18.5 kg/m2. Physical examination showed a thickening of the epidermis with a scaly surface, pigmented, and atrophied areas. We noted neuropsychiatric signs (apathy, irritability, anorexia, and depression) and digestive symptomatology (diarrhea). The laboratory tests revealed hypoproteinemia at 55 g/L, hypoalbuminemia at 21 g/L, and hypocholesterolemia at 0.8 g/L. The diagnosis of pellagra disease was made. Vitamin and protein supplementation was initiated, but the patient committed suicide by puncture of her arteriovenous fistula, causing hemorrhagic shock. Pellagra is usually reported to be associated with malnutrition, chronic alcoholism, and some chemotherapeutic agents. In our patient, pellagra was caused by malnutrition and co-morbidities. Pellagra disease requires multidisciplinary care and can be frequently seen in HD patients due to the associated malnutrition.

Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal infection affects predominately the central nervous system in HIV patients and patients with other immunocompromised states. It has rarely been described in immunocompetent patients. It is a serious infection with a high of mortality rate. We describe a case of a 48-year-old patient diagnosed with lupus nephritis treated with corticosteroids and mycophenolate mofetil who developed central nervous cryptococcosis complicated by septicemia. She died despite the use of antifungals. Cryptococcal infection is an uncommon, but often a fatal complication of systemic lupus erythematosus. Timely diagnosis and effective antifungal therapy could improve its prognosis.

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) is high in patients undergoing chronic dialysis than it is in the general population. The diagnosis of TB is often difficult and extrapulmonary involvement is predominant. This study investigates the spectrum of clinical presentations and outcome in dialysis patients during a nine-year period. TB was diagnosed in 41 patients. Anti-TB drugs, adverse effects of therapy, and outcome were noted. Thirty-eight patients (92.6%) were on hemodialysis and three were on peritoneal dialysis (7.3%). The mean age at diagnosis was 50.8 years and the male/female ratio was 1.16. Four patients had a history of pulmonary TB. Extrapulmonary involvement was observed in 32 (78 %) patients. The bacteriological confirmation was made in 41.46% and histological confirmation was made in 26.83%, and in the rest, the diagnosis was retained on the criterion presumption. Nineteen patients (46.34%) developed adverse effects of antitubercular drugs. Eight patients (19.51%) died during the study from TB or adverse effects of treatment. Low urea reduction ratio and female sex were associated with poor prognosis in our study. The clinical manifestations of TB in patients on dialysis are quite nonspecific, making timely diagnosis difficult, and delaying the initiation of curative treatment, which is a major determinant of the outcome.

Autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a systemic disorder associated with various extrarenal complications. There is little information regarding the occurrence and distribution of cardiovascular abnormalities during the course of ADPKD. The major cardiovascular complications of ADPKD include valvulopathies and vascular ectasia. Aneurysm of the atrial septum (ASA) is a very rare manifestation in ADPKD. A 37-year-old woman who was diagnosed with ADPKD was admitted to our hospital for advanced renal failure. Pelvic computed tomography revealed multiple variable-sized cysts in both kidneys. Trans-thoracic echocardiography showed ASA while the patient was completely asymptomatic.

Obstetric cortical renal necrosis is a serious complication that can lead to chronic renal failure and the need for chronic dialysis. The aim of renal cortical necrosis therapy is to restore hemodynamic stability, institute early dialytic therapy, and treat the underlying cause of the disease. Most cases of renal cortical necrosis do not recover a normal renal function despite intensive care. We describe the course of a patient who was diagnosed with acute renal cortical necrosis in pregnancy treated with hemodialysis for three years but then she recovered her renal function.

The arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the vascular access of the first choice for hemodialysis (HD). Studies on patency of AVF and its affecting factors reveal a high risk for access failure. The aim of this study was to assess the primary and secondary AVF patency and their determinant factors. It was a retrospective, descriptive study conducted in the HD facility of the Nephrology Department in Rabta University Hospital. We included AVF created before December 2009 in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The end of the follow-up was fixed in December 2013. We included 126 AVFs created in 111 patients; 22.5% were aged >65 years, 39.6% were diabetic, 68.5% were hypertensive, and 26.1% had peripheral vascular disease. The primary patency rates were 78% at one year and 42% at five years. The secondary patency rates were 80% at one year and 69% at five years. Multivariate analysis revealed that the factors affecting the primary patency of AVF were: the use of jugular catheter for longer than three months (odds ratio (OR):1.91, P = 0.044) and a C-reactive protein >5 mg/L (OR: 1.7, P = 0.049). Aging (>65 years) (OR: 2.46, P = 0.042), referral time to a nephrologist

Fluoroquinolones are usually well tolerated with a minimum of serious adverse effects; renal toxicity is uncommon. Apart from the renal side effects of ciprofloxacin, we aimed to highlight the renal impact of a ciprofloxacin overdose, and thus conducted a prospective study in the Department of Nephrology at La Rabta Hospital between 2010 and 2015. The cohort database was continually updated until the inclusion of five patients who were subjected to an overdose and who were initially admitted to the medical intensive care unit and then transferred to our department for acute renal failure (ARF) due to ciprofloxacin ingestion requiring urgent hemodialysis. All patients developed ARF after 12–36 h of ingestion. Renal ultrasound was normal in all cases. Twenty-four-hour proteinuria was present but not significant in one case, while microscopic hematuria was present in one case. Treatment consisted of supportive therapy and extrarenal purification by conventional intermittent hemodialysis. Four patients recovered normal renal function within 3 weeks and the remaining patient eventually had chronic kidney failure.

Cocaine is one of the most commonly used illicit drugs with distribution and consumption throughout the world. Acute renal failure associated with rhabdomyolysis, direct vasoconstriction and hemodynamic alteration is well described in patients with cocaine intoxication. Cocaine use is associated with high blood pressure and may rarely induce malignant hypertension associated with thrombotic microangiopathy. We report the case of a patient who developed malignant hypertension associated with thrombotic microangiopathy after chronic consumption of cocaine. A kidney biopsy revealed thrombotic microangiopathy with fibrinoid necrosis of arterioles and glomerular tufts. He required dialysis sessions. Cocaine-mediated endothelial injury and platelet activation may play important pathogenetic roles in cocaine abusers who develop malignant hypertension associated with thrombotic microangiopathy. Clinicians need to be aware of this rare feature of cocaine intoxication.

Introduction : l’hemolyse aigue compliquee d’une insuffisance renale aigue, en particulier la fievre bilieuse hemoglobinurique (FBH), est une complication rare mais grave, consecutive a la prise d’antipaludiques. La FBH se voit actuellement au cours du traitement curatif ou preventif d’un paludisme. Methodes : Mr SK âge de 40 ans sans antecedents pathologiques a sejourne en Afrique (Gabon et Mali) pendant une semaine, ou il a pris le Quinimax comme un traitement antipaludien preventif en deux prises. Une heure apres la deuxieme prise medicamenteuse il presente des vomissements, douleurs abdominales et 3 episodes d’hematurie. L’examen clinique etait sans particularite, les bandelettes urinaires ont montre une faible proteinurie sans hematurie, la biologie a montre une insuffisance renale aigue et une perturbation transitoire du bilan hepatique sans signes d’hemolyse. La goutte epaisse n’a pas montre la presence de Plasmodium falciparium. La ponction biopsie renale a montre une necrose tubulaire aigue. Le diagnostic le plus probable etait une hepatonephrite d’origine immuno allergique, mais l’evolution rapidement favorable etait contre. Resultats : le Quinimax ne peut provoquer une necrose tubulaire aigue que par le biais d’une hemolyse intra vasculaire, un tableau qui peut se voir au cours de la fievre bilieuse hemoglobinurique (FBH). Notre patient a developpe une necrose tubulaire aigue sans stigmates d’hemolyse ni d’infection par le Plasmodium falciparium. Conclusion : notre observation pose la problematique des hemolyses aigues intra vasculaires au cours des traitements antipaludiques. Elle peut se manifester par une hemoglobinurie avec une insuffisance renale aigue au cours du traitement curatif et preventif d’un paludisme et impose l’arret de tout traitement des l’apparition d’un ictere ou d’urines colorees.

Introduction : l’infection a Cytomegalovirus (CMV) chez le patient transplante renal peut mettre en jeu le pronostic vital mais aussi la survie du greffon vu l’augmentation du risque de rejet aigu d’ou l’interet d’une prophylaxie. Methodes : nous rapportons une serie de 61 patients transplantes du rein et mis sous prophylaxie anti –CMV et nous etudions la prevalence de l’infection a CMV dans notre serie. Resultats : la prophylaxie anti–CMV proposee dans notre serie est la Valaciclovir (Zelitrex*) des J1 de greffe renale pendant 3mois si le profil CMV est D+ /R+ ou D-/R+ ou D-/R- et pendant 6 mois si D+/R. Nous realisons la serologie CMV a J1, J7 post greffe renale ainsi qu’au 3 eme mois, 6 eme et 12 eme mois apres la transplantation renale. Pendant la periode de l’etude qui s’etend de Decembre 2011 a Juin 2016, nous avons collige 2 cas d’infection a CMV soit 5%. Comme 1 ere observation; Il s’agissait d’un patient âge de 43 ans transplante renal par un donneur vivant apparente. Le profil CMV etait D+/R+. Apres la transplantation renale le patient a ete mis sous traitement prophylactique par Valaciclovir pris pendant 25 jours puis arrete par le patient. Il presentait 30 jours apres l’arret du Valaciclovir, une diarrhee avec fievre et a la biologie une leucopenie, une CRP elevee et une creatinine a 1,3 mg/dl. Une PCR CMV en temps reel est fortement positive. Le traitement par Ganciclovir a ete instaure avec evolution favorable et PCR CMV negative. A J21 de Ganciclovir on a note une aggravation de la leuco-neutropenie. Apres 12 jours d’arret de Ganciclovir, le taux de globules blancs est revenu a la normale spontanement. La deuxieme observation etait porte sur une Patiente A.N âgee de 41 ans, transplantee renale a partir d’un donneur vivant apparente et un statut serologique D+/R+ mise sous prophylaxie par Valaciclovir pendant 90 jours. Elle a presente une insuffisance renale aigue (IRA) (creatinine passant de 176 µmol/l a 316 µmol/l) a 3 mois post transplantation renale. La biopsie du greffon a montre un rejet aigue humoral Borderline et elle etait mise sous Rituximab et Immunoglobulines intra-veineuses. L’evolution etait marquee par la stagnation de la creatinine. Devant l’IRA, la leucopenie et la thrombopenie une PCR CMV a ete pratiquee revenue positive, et la patiente a ete traitee par Cymevan pendant 21 jours. L’evolution a ete marquee par la normalisation du bilan hematologique et l’amelioration de la fonction renale (creatinine = 132 μmol/l). Dans notre centre, nous preconisons la prophylaxie anti-CMV systematique par Valaciclovir. Le 1er cas d’infection a CMV que nous avons note est survenu chez un patient qui n’avait pas pris le Valaciclovir. Chez la deuxieme patiente, l’infection a CMV est survenue a l’arret de la prophylaxie dans un contexte de forte immunosuppression pour un rejet humoral. Conclusion : le faible effectif et le recul court dans notre etude ne permettent pas de conclure. Des etudes plus larges seront d’un grand apport.

Introduction : l’infection est une cause majeure de morbi-mortalite chez les hemodialyses chroniques. Notre objectif etait de determiner leurs caracteristiques clinico-biologiques, bacteriologiques et evolutives.

We report clinical and renal histological data, treatment modalities and outcome of 43 Tunisian children with biopsy-proven lupus nephritis seen over a 23-year period. There were 39 girls and 4 boys with a mean age of 12.5 years at diagnosis of lupus nephritis and followed for a mean period of 77 months. Renal symptoms included urinary abnormalities in all patients, hypertension in 40% of cases, nephrotic syndrome in 60% of cases and renal failure in 25% of cases. Class IV and class III nephritis were observed in 48.8 % and 30.2 % respectively. Corticosteroids were used in all cases, associated to immunosuppressive therapy in 23%. Overall survival was 86% at 5 years and 74% at 10 and 15 years. Renal survival was 83% at 5 and 10 years and 63% at 15 years. Initial renal failure and tubulointerstitial fibrosis were significantly increased risk for the development of end-stage renal disease in our study group. Renal histological findings provide the basis for treatment recommendations. Timely performed renal biopsy is greatly needed to accurately determine the prognosis and to guide treatment in children lupus nephritis.

Crow-Fukase syndrome, also known as POEMS syndrome, is a rare plasma dyscrasia characterized by monoclonal gammopathy and various combinations of polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy and dermatological changes, and their initials stand for the acronym POEMS. Substantial kidney involvement is rarely related to this disease. Our report is about five patients suffering from the POEMS syndrome with kidney involvement that rapidly progressed to end-stage renal disease. Our report is about three females and two males with a mean age of 60.6 years. Neuropathy was noted in all the cases. Endocrinopathy included hypothyroidism and/or diabetes. Skin changes were noted in one case, and included peri-orbital hyperpigmentation. Monoclonal gammopathy was present in all the cases and was related to multiple myeloma in three cases. Kidney involvement presented in all the five cases. Treatment included Melphalan, Thalidomid, steroids and hemodialysis. Survival was short for three patients, from five to 34 months.

Various adverse reactions may occur after intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy. Although the virulence of attenuated BCG is low, serious complications such as bacterial cystitis, bladder contractures, granulomatous prostatitis, epididymitis, orchitis, and systemic reactions such as fever and malaise have been described. Disseminated granulomatosis such as hepatitis and pneumonitis have also been described, but are rare. We report here the case of a 67-year-old patient who presented with renal granulomatosis with polyangiitis following intravesical BCG therapy for superficial bladder tumor. The biological evaluation revealed the presence of perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies with specificity for antimyeloperoxidase. Renal biopsy specimen revealed pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis with segmental glomerular necrosis, presence of granulomas and no evidence of any caseating necrosis. He received antituberculosis drugs in addition to corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide without any improvement of the renal function.

Renal involvement in Sjogren′s syndrome (SS) is not uncommon and may precede other complaints. Tubulointerstitial nephritis is the most common renal disease in SS and may lead to renal tubular acidosis (RTA), which in turn may cause osteomalacia. Nevertheless, osteomalacia rarely occurs as the first manifestation of a renal tubule disorder due to SS. We herewith describe a 43-year-old woman who was admitted to our hospital for weakness, lumbago and inability to walk. X-ray of the long bones showed extensive demineralization of the bones. Laboratory investigations revealed chronic kidney disease with serum creatinine of 2.3 mg/dL and creatinine clearance of 40 mL/min, hypokalemia (3.2 mmol/L), hypophosphatemia (0.4 mmol/L), hypocalcemia (2.14 mmol/L) and hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis (chlorine: 114 mmol/L; alkaline reserve: 14 mmol/L). The serum alkaline phosphatase levels were elevated. The serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D were low and borderline low, respectively, and the parathyroid hormone level was 70 pg/L. Urinalysis showed inappropriate alkaline urine (urinary PH: 7), glycosuria with normal blood glucose, phosphaturia and uricosuria. These values indicated the presence of both distal and proximal RTA. Our patient reported dryness of the mouth and eyes and Schirmer′s test showed xerophthalmia. An accessory salivary gland biopsy showed changes corresponding to stage IV of Chisholm and Masson score. Kidney biopsy showed diffuse and severe tubulo-interstitial nephritis with dense lymphoplasmocyte infiltrates. Sicca syndrome and renal interstitial infiltrates indicated SS as the underlying cause of the RTA and osteomalacia. The patient received alkalinization, vitamin D (Sterogyl ®), calcium supplements and steroids in an initial dose of 1 mg/kg/day, tapered to 10 mg daily. The prognosis was favorable and the serum creatinine level was 1.7 mg/dL, calcium was 2.2 mmol/L and serum phosphate was 0.9 mmol/L.

Subcutis calcinosis, characterized by abnormal calcium deposits in the skin, is a rare complication of using calcium-containing heparin occurring in patients with advanced renal failure. We report the case of an 83-year-old female, a known case of chronic kidney disease (CKD) for four years with recent worsening of renal failure requiring hospitalization and hemodialysis. She developed subcutis calcinosis following injection of calcium-containing heparin. Biochemical tests showed serum parathormone level at 400 pg/dL, hypercalcemia, elevated calcium-phosphate product and monoclonal gammopathy related to multiple myeloma. She developed firm subcu-taneous nodules in the abdomen and the thighs, the injection sites of Calciparin ® (calcium nadroparin) that was given as a preventive measure against deep vein thrombosis. The diagnosis of subcutis calcinosis was confirmed by the histological examination showing calcium deposit in the dermis and hypodermis. These lesions completely disappeared after discontinuing calcium nadro-parin injections. Subcutis calcinosis caused by injections of calcium-containing heparin is rare, and, to the best our knowledge, not more than 12 cases have been reported in the literature. Pathogenesis is not well established but is attributed to the calcium disorders usually seen in advanced renal failure. Diagnosis is confirmed by histological tests. Outcome is mostly favorable. The main differential diagnosis is calciphylaxis, which has a poor prognosis. Even though rarely reported, we should be aware that CKD patients with elevated calcium-phosphorus product can develop subcutis calcinosis induced by calcium-containing heparin. When it occurs, fortunately and unlike calci-phylaxis, outcome is favorable.

Resume Introduction La povidone iodee est un antiseptique largement utilise surtout en usage cutane. Malgre son innocuite, des cas d’insuffisance renale aigue rentrant dans le cadre d’une toxicite a l’iode ont ete rapportes. Observation Une femme âgee de 37 ans, sans antecedents particuliers etait suivie pour une sterilite primaire de 4 ans. Elle a eu, dans le cadre de l’exploration de cette sterilite, une hysteroscopie avec opacification par de la povidone iodee. En post operatoire immediat, une insuffisance renale aigue oligurique s’est developpee. Apres traitement par diuretiques et 5 seances d’epuration extra renale, l’evolution etait favorable avec declenchement de la diurese a J18 suivi d’une normalisation de la fonction renale. Discussion La toxicite a l’iode est plus importante quand la povidone iodee est administree in situ au contact des muqueuses. L’insuffisance renale aigue est a type de necrose tubulaire aigue comme chez cette patiente. En l’absence d’autre cause, cette insuffisance renale aigue a ete rattachee a la povidone iodee. Conclusion L’insuffisance renale aigue secondaire a la toxicite a l’iode reste possible surtout si la povidone iodee est administree au contact des muqueuses. L’evolution est en general favorable apres l’arret du contact avec cet agent et le traitement symptomatique.

Anemia is a frequent complication in patients with chronic kidney disease. However, human recombinant erythropoietin (rHu-EPO) has revolutionized the management of anemia in chronically dialyzed patients. Epomax ® is a new rHu-EPO alfa manufactured in Tunisia (Medis Laboratories). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of Epomax ® in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients in a phase-III, multicenter, clinical trial. Fiftythree HD patients (mean age 47.7 ± 13 years) who received a stable dose of rHu-EPO (Hemax ® , a rHu-EPO alfa manufactured by Biosidus Laboratories) subcutaneously were switched to Epomax ® via the same route of administration. At baseline, the mean systolic pressure was 132 ± 18 mm Hg and the mean diastolic pressure was 79 ± 8 mm Hg. The mean blood hemoglobin was 10.2 g/dL and the median ferritin level was 667 ng/mL. After a follow-up of 43 days, the mean blood hemoglobin was 10.5 g/dL under the effect of Epomax ® . There was no significant difference in the mean hemoglobin levels between the treatments with both drugs. Few adverse events were reported during the study. We conclude that Epomax ® was effective at maintaining the hemoglobin levels at target concentrations and was well tolerated in HD patients.