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Objective: The incidence of chronic kidney diseases increases in older individuals, like all other chronic diseases. Renal biopsy provides important guidance in the diagnosis of many kidney diseases. The impact of biopsy on patient management in older individuals is controversial. In this study, we evaluated the patient population of over 65 years of age in our clinic in the last decade, biopsy-related complications, and the effects of biopsy results on clinical evaluation.

Background: Prevalence and characteristics of non-diabetic renal diseases (NDRD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus is different between populations, and seems to be largely dependent on biopsy policies. Aim: To investigate clinical clues for NDRD in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to analyse renal prognosis of patients based on pathological diagnosis. Methods: We retrospectively searched medical records of 115 patients with type 2 diabetes who underwent a renal biopsy between 2004 and 2018. Patients were divided into three groups as diabetic nephropathy (DN), NDRD + DN or NDRD based on histopathological examination. Results: Thirty-six (31.3%) patients had DN, 33 (28.7%) had DN + NDRD and 46 (40%) had NDRD. The absence of diabetic retinopathy, recent onset of diabetes, abnormal disease chronology, and blood haemoglobin was associated with the presence of NDRD in univariate analysis. Abnormal disease chronology which was defined as the presence of acute proteinuria and/or acute kidney injury that are unexpected to be related to evolution of diabetic nepropathy (odds ratio 4.65, 95% confidence interval 1.44-15.00; P = 0.010) and absence of diabetic retinopathy (odds ratio 3.44, 95% confidence interval 1.32-8.98; P = 0.012) were independently associated with the presence of NDRD in multivariate analysis. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis was the most frequent type of NDRD. Diseases that affect tubulointerstitial area were more prevalent in the DN + NDRD group compared to the NDRD group (P = 0.001). Renal survival, which was defined as evolution to end-stage renal disease, was 59.5 +/- 14.4 months, 93.7 +/- 11.7 months and 87.2 +/- 2.6 months for DN, DN + NDRD and NDRD groups, respectively (P = 0.005). Conclusions: Renal biopsy is essential in certain clinical conditions as diagnosis of NDRD is vital for favourable renal survival. DN may facilitate superimposed tubular injury in the presence of toxic insults.

Objective: Granulomatous interstitial nephritis is a rare finding, and etiology differs by geography. We aimed to investigate the distribution of causes of granuloma/granulomata in the kidney and renal survival of these patients in a tertiary care hospital in Western Turkey. Material and Method: Medical records of adults who underwent a kidney biopsy procedure in our institution between January 2000 and June 2019 were reviewed. Pathology reports were searched for biopsies where a granuloma was identified. Results: Nineteen of 1121 (1.7%) kidney biopsies included granuloma, 17 in native kidneys, and 2 in transplants. The majority of indications for native kidney biopsy was a rise in serum creatinine. Etiologies of granuloma included the following: pauci-immune vasculitis (n=11, 64.7%), tuberculosis (n=2, 11.8%), drug-induced (n=2, 11.8%), tubulointerstitial nephritis/uveitis (TINU) syndrome (n=1, 5.9%), and systemic-lupus erythematosus (n=1, 5.9%). Despite treatment, 6 of 11 (54.5%) patients with vasculitis developed end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) during the median follow-up of 16 months. Both of the patients with tuberculosis, and the patient with TINU syndrome developed ESKD months after the kidney biopsy, despite appropriate therapies. The only case with drug-induced granuloma and both cases with allograft kidney granuloma responded well to glucocorticoids, achieving a complete renal recovery. Conclusion: The majority of our series had granuloma in the kidney secondary to vasculitis and renal outcomes appear considerably unfavorable despite treatment, probably related to the primary diagnosis. Multicenter studies are needed to better determine the etiology and outcome of each granuloma etiology at different geographic locations.

Objective: The goal of this study was to identify risk factors among donor characteristics that affect delayed graft function (DGF) in paired kidney transplants.

BackgroundGlomerular immunoglobulin G deposition in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) has been shown to be associated with adverse renal outcomes. Clinical significance of mesangial immunoglobulin M (IgM) deposition in these patients remains to be proven.MethodsOne hundred patients who had a diagnosis of IgAN between 2001 and 2017 were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups based on mesangial IgM deposition status. Groups were compared for demographic, clinical, and pathologic variables at baseline and in follow-up. Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of mesangial IgM positivity on renal survival.ResultsIgM-positive group included 51% of participants. Baseline demographic and clinical parameters were not significantly different between groups. Mesangial IgM deposition was significantly associated with a higher segmental sclerosis score (p=0.008). At last visit, median serum creatinine was higher (p=0.021) and eGFR was lower (p=0.006) in IgM-positive group. Nineteen (19%) of all patients reached the combined primary outcome which includes doubling in serum creatinine or evolution to ESRD. Cumulative renal survival was lower (p=0.001) and resistant disease was more frequent in IgM-positive group (p=0.026). Renal survival at 15years was 94.2% and 59.7% in IgM-negative and IgM-positive groups, respectively (p=0.006). Time-averaged proteinuria (HR 2.9; 95% CI 1.9-4.5; p

Introduction. None of the classification systems in immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy has been widely agreed or implemented by clinicians or pathologists. In order to meet this need, "Oxford Classification System", which is highly reproducible and predictive for clinical course, was developed in 2009. In the present study, we investigated clinical and pathological characteristics of patients with IgA nephropathy based on current classification and the predictivity of crescent presence on prognosis. Methods. The study comprised 40 patients with diagnosis of primary IgA nephropathy on renal biopsy. The biopsy findings and follow-up parameters of patients were retrospectively re-evaluated. Pathological findings were examined based on the Oxford classification system. The presence of crescent formation in the specimens was noted. Results. The presence of crescent formation was predictive of poor prognosis regarding the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), the level of proteinuria, and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Conclusion: Considering the importance of crescent formation in prediction of the clinical course and need for immunosuppressive therapy, it is suggested that crescent presence can be included in this classification system.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to retrospectively investigate and evaluate clinical findings and influencing factors related with graft and patient survival in kidney transplant recipients at Dokuz Eylul University Hospital.

Objectives Reported graft and patient survival rates in amyloidosis after renal transplant differ considerably between studies. Materials and methods Group 1 included 24 patients who had end-stage renal disease secondary to amyloidosis. Group 2 (the control group) included 24 consecutive patients who had kidney disease secondary to various causes other than amyloidosis. Comparisons between groups were made for kidney and patient survival rates and other complications following kidney transplant. We also compared survival rates of patients in group 1 versus another control group that included patients with amyloidosis who were treated with hemodialysis (group 3; n = 25). Results Mean follow-up was 109.5 ± 79.8 months. Biopsy-proven acute rejection and graft failure rates were not significantly different between groups. In group 1 versus group 2, the cumulative 10-year and 20-year patient survival rates were 68.2% versus 86.1% and 36.9% versus 60.3%, respectively (P = .041). Survival was not significantly different in group 1 compared with group 2 and group 3, although patients in group 3 had significantly shorter duration of time to death after the start of renal replacement therapy. Conclusions Patient survival may be lower in kidney transplant recipients with amyloidosis compared with patients with end-stage renal disease due to other causes. However, graft failure and acute rejection rates seem to be similar.

Background : P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transports many chemicals that vary greatly in their structure and function. It is normally expressed in renal proximal tubular cells. We hypothesized that P-gp expression influences light chain excretion. Therefore, we investigated whether renal tubular P-gp expression is altered in patients with plasma cell disorders. Methods : We evaluated renal biopsy specimens from patients with plasma cell disorders (n = 16) and primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (the control group, n = 17). Biopsies were stained with an anti-P-gp antibody. Loss of P-gp expression was determined semi-quantitatively. Groups were compared for loss of P-gp expression, and clinical variables. Results : P-gp expression loss was more severe in patients with plasma cell disorders than it was in those with glomerulonephritis (P = 0.021). In contrast, clinical and histological parameters including serum creatinine, level of urinary protein excretion, and interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy grade were not significantly different between the groups. P-gp expression loss increased with age in patients with plasma cell disorders (P = 0.071). This expression loss was not associated with serum creatinine, the level of urinary protein excretion or the interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy grade. There was no significant association between the severity of P-gp expression loss with the types and serum levels of light chains, isotypes and serum immunoglobulin levels. Conclusion : Renal tubular P-gp expression is significantly down-regulated in patients with plasma cell disorders characterized by nephrotic range proteinuria. Additional studies are needed to determine whether reintroduction of renal tubular P-gp expression would mitigate the proximal tubular injury that is caused by free-light chains.

Introduction. Proteinuria after renal transplantation increases the risk of graft failure and mortality. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and causes of proteinuria in kidney transplant recipients. Methods. All kidney transplant recipients followed up in our clinic were included in the study. As a center protocol 24-hour urine collections were used to quantify protein excretion with 3-month intervals posttransplantation during the first year, and yearly thereafter. The etiology of chronic kidney disease and demographic characteristics of the study group were obtained from outpatient records. Data regarding the immunosuppressive regimens used, 24-hour proteinuria levels and creatinine clearences, new-onset hypertension, new-onset diabetes mellitus, rejection episodes, infections like cytomegalovirus (CMV) and polyoma (BK), and biopsy findings were noted. Results. A total of 260 kidney transplant recipients (97 females, mean age 42.3±12.3 years) were evaluated. Median follow-up period was 36 months; 137 of all transplantations were from living donors. Mean age of donors was 42.7±15 years and 133 were female. Proteinuria with protein excretion ≥300 mg/d was present in 35.4% of patients. The most common cause of biopsy-proven proteinuria was transplant-specific conditions (acute rejection, and borderline changes). Conclusion. The prevalence of proteinuria was 35.4%. The transplant-specific diagnoses were the most likely causes. Even in nonnephrotic ranges it was associated with decreased graft survival.

Primary failure, early thrombosis, and inadequate maturation are the main complications encountered in arteriovenous fistulas. Doppler ultrasonographic assessment of flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) is currently used for the early diagnosis of atherosclerosis. Clinical experience in the use of FMD for preoperative assessment of vasculature is rather limited; therefore, we sought to elucidate the relationship between preoperative FMD and primary failure of the fistula. Thirty-three patients with end-stage renal disease who were admitted to our hospital between January and July 2005 were included in our study. Medical histories were established and the internal diameter, wall thickness, peak systolic flow rate, and resistive index (RI) were measured in the cephalic vein and radial and brachial arteries. Flow-mediated dilatation and nitrate-mediated dilatation (NMD) of the brachial artery were assessed. Fistulas were evaluated 48 hours and 30 days postoperatively. Brachial arterial internal diameter was lower in all fistulas that developed primary failure in 48 hours (0.4 ± 0.07 cm vs. 0.35 ± 0.07 cm, P = 0.016). The radial artery RI was found to be significantly elevated in fistulas with both early (48-hour) and late-term (30-day) failure (0.9 ± 0.08 vs. 0.68 ± 0.3, P = 0.01, and 0.86 ± 0.8 vs. 0.67 ± 0.3, P = 0.038, respectively). The brachial artery peak systolic flow rate was significantly reduced in patients in the radiocephalic fistula group that developed early and late-term failure (42.9 ± 12 cm/sec vs. 68.4 ± 10 cm/sec, P = 0.01, and 44.1 ± 13 cm/sec vs. 57.7 ± 16 cm/sec, P = 0.038, respectively). Our study, constrained by a smaller, older patient group, was unable to show a statistically significant correlation between FMD, NMD, and fistula success. Any single parameter may not be sufficient to assess vascular health preoperatively. A multifactorial approach incorporating parameters evaluating arterial and venous function might be more effective in predicting fistula success. Further studies on larger patient groups may indeed demonstrate the value of these assessments.

Zero-hour graft biopsies are done following post-revascularisation after the vessel anastomosis during the kidney transplantation. We report here two cases of kidney recipients in whom mesangial immunoglobulin A (IgA) deposition was observed in zero-hour graft biopsies.

AIM: Renal replacement therapy (RRT) prolongs survival in patients with end-stage-renal-disease (ESRD). We compared patient survival, number and duration of hospitalization in patients treated with RRT in this study. MATERIAL and METHODS: Two hundred and eighty seven patients (87 hemodialysis (HD), 97 peritoneal dialysis (PD), 103 renal transplant (RT) patients) were enrolled in this study. Patients' data were collected retrospectively from hospital records. RESULTS: HD patients were older and had more comorbid diseases compared to PD and RT patients. Mortality rates were not different between the modalitites. The number and duration of hospitalization episodes were significantly lower in the PD group than that of the other two groups. Survival rates of HD patients were 84%, 55% and 30% for the 1 st, 5 th and 10 th years, respectively while these rates were 93%, 81% and 59% for PD and 95%, 81% and 77% for RT patients. CONCLUSION: PD and RT patients were younger than HD patients and had less comorbid diseases. As a result, the number and duration of hospitalization episodes were significantly lower in the PD group when compared to the others. Survival rates in the RT group were better than that of the HD and PD groups.

The aim of this study is to assess the influence of darbepoetin on the development of peritoneal fibrosis in rats induced by Chlorhexidine gluconate (0.1%) and ethanol (15%) and to determine the effect on peritoneal tissue levels of MMP–2 and TIMP–2, possible important factors in progression of peritoneal fibrosis. Twenty-four female Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups. The first group (CH group) received 3 ml/200g daily intraperitoneal injections of Chlorhexidine gluconate (0.1%) and ethanol (15%) dissolved in saline to induce chemical peritonitis; group 2 (ESA group) received 3 ml/200g daily injections of Chlorhexidine gluconate (0.1%) and ethanol (15%) dissolved in saline and also darbepoetin 12.5 microgr/ per kilogram/ day subcutaneously on the first and seventh days; group 3 (Control group) received intraperitoneal 0.9% saline (3 ml/200g/d) through the right lower quadrant by 21 gauge needle. The study duration was fourteen days. On the fifteenth day rats were sacrificed, parietal peritoneum samples were obtained from the left anterior abdominal wall. Pathological samples were examined using Hematoxyline & Eosin (HE) stains. The thickness, vasculpathy, and inflammation were determined by light microscopy. MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were studied immunohistochemically by monoclonal antibody staining. The activity of MMP-2 on peritoneal tissue was studied by gelatin zymography and TIMP–2 protein level was analysed by ELISA, biochemically. The decrease in thickness of parietal peritoneum in group ESA was statistically significant when compared to CH group (p0.05). Immunohistochemically, darbepoetin was shown to decrease MMP-2 expression on parietal peritoneum in CH group (p0.05). Biochemically the ratio of active MMP–2 to proMMP–2 was more significantly increased in the ESA group than in the CH group (p

Takayasu arteritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects mainly the aorta, main branches of aorta, and pulmonary arteries with unknown etiology. Disease affecting solely the renal arteries is rare. We will present a case that had hypertension, hypokalemia, and metabolic alkalosis where the etiology was type 2 Takayasu arteritis, affecting renal arteries.

Peritoneal fibrosis is almost uniform feature encountered in peritoneal dialysis patients. The transition of epithelial cells to mesenchymal phenotype, neovascularization, and consequently development of peritoneal fibrosis occur due to the involvement of peritoneal membrane by various insults such as uremia itself, peritonitis attacks, and exposure to bio-incompatible peritoneal dialysis fluids. Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antihuman antibody developed against vascular endothelial growth factor and can reduce fibrosis by preventing neovascularization. There has been no study so far that demonstrates the effect of bevacizumab on peritoneal fibrosis in a rat model. A total of 41 female Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups. The control group (C) received 0.9 % isotonic saline (2 ml/day) intraperitoneally (i.p) for 21 days. Chlorhexidine group (CH) received 15 % ethyl alcohol and 0.1 % chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) in saline (2 ml/day) i.p for 21 days. The resting group (R) received CG 2 ml/day i.p for 21 days. The bevacizumab-1 group (B1) received CG 2 ml/day i.p for 21 days and bevacizumab 2.5 mg/kg i.p as a single dose on day 21. The bevacizumab-2 group (B2) received CG 2 ml/day for 21 days and bevacizumab 2.5 mg/kg i.p on day 0 and day 21. The bevacizumab-3 group (B3) received bevacizumab 2.5 mg/kg i.p on day 0 and day 21. Peritoneal samples were taken from the left anterior abdominal wall. The thickness, vascularization, and fibrosis scores in the peritoneal samples were assessed using a light microscope. On histopathological evaluations, peritoneum thicknesses, vascularization scores, and fibrosis significantly decreased in bevacizumab groups B1 and B2. Histopathologically, bevacizumab was proven to attenuate fibrotic process in experimental peritoneal sclerosis model.

Plasma cell diseases ormonoclonal gammopathies are group of disorders which occur as a result ofuncontrolled proliferation of plasma cells and over production ofimmunglobulins. One of the important problems encountered in plasma celldisorders is renal diseases. Herein, we present two different cases of glomerulonephritiswhich are associated with monoclonal gammopathy.study. Both the scale and thedata collection sheet was applied to the students in classess or in a studyenvironment.First case was a 51 year-old-man withanemia, acute renal failure (ARF) and isolated microscopic hematuria whom were referredto nephrology outpatient clinic. He had no history of hypertension (HT),diabetes mellitus (DM), renal disease and nephrotoxic drug usage. Renal biopsywas done and diagnosed as C3 glomerulonephritis (C3GN).Second case was a 69 year-old-man whom hada history of chronic renal failure (CRF), HT, DM and chronic ischemic heartdisease. He had a progressively increased proteinuria for a one year during thenephrology outpatient clinic follow-up. He had nephrotic proteinuria and nohematuria. Atypical proteinuria was considered. Renal biopsy was done anddiagnosed as membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN).Both of the cases were investigated formonoclonal gammopathy during the inpatient clinic follow-up. A sharp band wasdetected in protein electrophoresis and IgG-Kappa monoclonal gammopathy wasobserved in immunfixation in both of the cases. Bone marrow aspiration andbiopsy were done and diagnosed as multiple myeloma.The circulating paraproteins cause adiversity of kidney diseases and they can affect the glomeruli especially. Ifpatient is diagnosed as MPGN or C3GN, secondary reasons including themonoclonal gammopathies must be absolutely investigated., Plazma hücresi hastalıkları veyamonoklonal gammopatiler; plazma hücrelerinin kontrolsüz çoğalması nedeniyleimmünglobulinlerin aşırı üretilmesi sonucu meydana gelen bir grup hastalıktır.Plazma hücresi hastalıklarında karşılaşılan en önemli problemlerden birisi deböbrek hastalıklarıdır. Bu yazıda monoklonal gammopati ile birliktelik gösterenfarklı iki glomerülonefrit olgusu sunulmuştur.İlk olgumuz 51 yaşında ve erkekti.Anemi, akut böbrek yetmezliği (ABY) ve izole mikroskopik hematüri nedeniylenefroloji polikliniğine sevk edildi. Hipertansiyon (HT), diyabetes mellitus(DM), böbrek hastalığı ve nefrotoksik ilaç kullanımı öyküsü yoktu. Böbrekbiyopsisi yapıldı ve C3 glomerülonefriti (C3GN) tanısı konuldu.İkinci olgumuz 69 yaşında ve erkekti.Kronik böbrek yetmezliği (KBY), HT, DM ve kronik iskemik kalp hastalığı öyküsüvardı. Nefroloji poliklinik izleminde son bir yılda proteinüride dikkat çekicibir artış gözlendi. Nefrotik düzeyde proteinürisi vardı, hematürisi yoktu.Atipik proteinüri düşünüldü, böbrek biyopsisi yapıldı ve membranoproliferatifglomerülonefrit (MPGN) tanısı konuldu.Her iki olguda klinik izlemi sırasında MonoklonalGammopati açısından araştırıldı. Her iki olguda da; serum proteinelektroforezinde gamma bölgesinde keskin bant ve immünfiksasyonda IgG-Kappamonoklonal gammopati saptandı. Kemik iliği aspirasyonu ve biyopsisi yapıldı,multipl miyelom tanısı konuldu.Dolaşımdaki paraproteinler çeşitli böbrek hastalıklarına neden olurlarve özellikle glomerülleri etkileyebilirler. Histopatolojik olarak MPGN ve C3GNtanısı konulduğunda monoklonal gammopatilerin de arasında olduğu ikincilnedenler mutlaka araştırılmalıdır.

The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the results of kidney transplantation in patients with renal amyloidosis. We analyzed the results of renal transplantation in 13 amyloidotic transplant recipients compared with those in a control group of 13 nonamyloidotic patients. While the etiology of amyloidosis was rheumatoid arthritis in one patient, in all of the others it was secondary to familial Mediterranean fever. Acute rejection episodes developed once in six and twice in one patient. The renal function in these patients was improved by antirejection treatment. Chronic rejection did not develop in any patient. However six patients (46%) died due to various complications despite functional grafts. The others are still being followed with well-functioning grafts. Among the control group, acute and chronic rejection were diagnosed in three and two patients, respectively: one patient returned to hemodialysis after 26 months of transplantation, while the others are still alive with functional grafts. There was no death in the control group. The 5- and 10-year actuarial patient survival rates of the amyloidosis and control groups were 52.2%, 26.6%, and 100%, 100%, respectively (P = .002). However, the graft survivals of the amyloidosis versus control groups were 100%, 100%, versus 87.5%, 87.5, respectively (P = .47). In conclusion, we observed a high rate of early mortality among recipients with amyloidosis associated with infectious complications. Moreover, patient survivals were lower among amyloidotic renal recipients.

The immune system in renal transplant (Tx), Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) and hemodialysis (HD) patients have been suppressed and antibody response to vaccination is weaker than that of the normal population. Additionally immune response to vaccination also differs from each other in aforementioned three groups resulting from different levels immunosuppression. In the present study, detection of antibody response to influenza vaccine as an indicator of the level of immunity in Tx, CAPD and HD patients was aimedForty-eight patients (17 Tx, 16 CAPD and 15 HD) and 10 healthy adults, as a control group were enrolled into the study. Purified, split-virus, commercial trivalent influenza vaccine (VAXIGRIP--Pasteur Merieux Connaught, single dose of 0.5 ml into the deltoid muscle) containing 15 microg of each hemagglutinin of A/Johannesburg/82/96 (H1N1), A/Nachang/933/95 (H3N2) and B/Harbin/07/94 (B) strains were administered to all subjects. Serum samples were collected before and 1 month after vaccination to determine antibody titers. Hemagglutination-inhibition test (HI) was applied for determination of antibody response. The antibody response against each strain was measured separately. In addition to measurement of antibody response, increments in antibody titer (n-fold increase in titer), proportion of patients with protective antibody levels and seroconversion levels were taken into account. Wilcoxon paired 2 test and Mann-Whitney U test were applied for statistical analysis. p0.05 was accepted as significance level.Significant increases in antibody titers for all three antigens were observed in the study groups after vaccination (p = 0.001). However, the increase in titer of H3N2 was lower in Tx, CAPD and HD patients than that of the control group (1.0-2.0 vs 5.00) (p = 0.01). The proportion of protective antibody titers and seroconvertions were increased after vaccination in all subjects. Proportions of patients with protective antibody titers after vaccination were lower in Tx, CAPD and HD groups in comparison to control group.Although antibody titers in Tx, CAPD and HD patients presented significant increases after vaccination, the proportions of patients with protective antibody titers were lower in comparison to control group. Tx, CAPD and HD patients should be vaccinated every year to be able avoid potential morbidity and mortality of the influenza infection. Trial of high dose vaccination protocols may be useful to increase the proportion of patients with protective antibody levels.

Primary failure, early thrombosis, and inadequate maturation are the main complications encountered in arteriovenous fistulas. Doppler ultrasonographic assessment of flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) is currently used for the early diagnosis of atherosclerosis. Clinical experience in the use of FMD for preoperative assessment of vasculature is rather limited; therefore, we sought to elucidate the relationship between preoperative FMD and primary failure of the fistula. Thirty-three patients with end-stage renal disease who were admitted to our hospital between January and July 2005 were included in our study. Medical histories were established and the internal diameter, wall thickness, peak systolic flow rate, and resistive index (RI) were measured in the cephalic vein and radial and brachial arteries. Flow-mediated dilatation and nitrate-mediated dilatation (NMD) of the brachial artery were assessed. Fistulas were evaluated 48 hours and 30 days postoperatively. Brachial arterial internal diameter was lower in all fistulas that developed primary failure in 48 hours (0.4 ± 0.07 cm vs. 0.35 ± 0.07 cm, P = 0.016). The radial artery RI was found to be significantly elevated in fistulas with both early (48-hour) and late-term (30-day) failure (0.9 ± 0.08 vs. 0.68 ± 0.3, P = 0.01, and 0.86 ± 0.8 vs. 0.67 ± 0.3, P = 0.038, respectively). The brachial artery peak systolic flow rate was significantly reduced in patients in the radiocephalic fistula group that developed early and late-term failure (42.9 ± 12 cm/sec vs. 68.4 ± 10 cm/sec, P = 0.01, and 44.1 ± 13 cm/sec vs. 57.7 ± 16 cm/sec, P = 0.038, respectively). Our study, constrained by a smaller, older patient group, was unable to show a statistically significant correlation between FMD, NMD, and fistula success. Any single parameter may not be sufficient to assess vascular health preoperatively. A multifactorial approach incorporating parameters evaluating arterial and venous function might be more effective in predicting fistula success. Further studies on larger patient groups may indeed demonstrate the value of these assessments.

Acute humoral rejection (AHR) is generally less responsive to conventional anti-rejection treatment with consequent allograft losses. Therapeutic options include antilymphocyte antibody (ATG), intravenous immunglobulin (IVIG), plasmapheresis, or immunoadsorption with protein A together with intensification of immunsuppression with a tacrolimus/mycophenolate mofetil combination. This report describes a transplant recipient who responded to rituximab therapy as treatment for steroid-, ATG-, IVIG-, and plasmapheresis-resistant AHR.

The number of new transplantations has not kept pace with the ever-growing number of patients waiting for a kidney transplant, and there has been a growing shortage of deceased donor kidneys. Previously transplanted organs have been used to increase the donor pool. There is very little data about the reuse of a transplanted kidney. We report a case of successful reuse of a kidney graft after the death of the first recipient with a 3-year follow-up.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the non-infectious complications elf continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) using peritoneal computed tomography (PCT). Twenty symptomatic patients were included in the study. Initially 2000 mi of dialysate fluid was infused into the peritoneal cavity and standard peritoneal computed tomography (SPCT) serial scans with 10 mm thickness were performed from the mid-thoracic region to the genital organs. Afterwards, 100 mi of non-ionic contrast material containing 300 mg/ml iodine was injected through the catheter and was distributed homogeneously in the intra-abdominal dialysate fluid by changing the positions of the patients; after waiting for 2-4, h, the CT scan was repeated as peritoneal contrast computed tomography (PCCT). In patients (n = 20) both SPCT and PCCT revealed 90% (n= 18) pathological findings. But PCCT showed 60% (n = 12) additional pathological findings. We believe that PCT is beneficial for evaluation of non-infectious complications of CAPD. Hut PCCT is superior to SPCT in evaluating non-infectious complications encountered in patients on CAPD treatment.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is common in solid organ transplant recipients and accounts for the majority of graft compromise. Major risk factors include primary exposure to CMV infection at the time of transplantation and the use of antilymphocyte agents such as OKT3 (the monoclonal antibody muromonab-CD3) and antithymocyte globulin. It most often develops during the first 6 months after transplantation. Although current prophylactic strategies and antiviral agents have led to decreased occurrence of CMV disease in early posttransplant period, the incidence of late-onset CMV disease ranges from 2% to 7% even in the patients receiving prophylaxis with oral ganciclovir. The most common presentation of CMV disease in transplant patients is CMV pneumonitis followed by gastrointestinal disease. Hemorrhagic cystitis is a common complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The condition is usually due to cyclophosphamide-based myeloablative regimens and infectious agents. Even in these settings, CMV-induced cases occur only sporadically. Ureteritis and hemorrhagic cystitis due to CMV infection after kidney transplantation is reported very rarely on a case basis in the literature so far. We report here a case of late-onset CMV-induced hemorrhagic cystitis and ureteritis presenting with painful macroscopic hematuria and ureteral obstruction after 4 years of renal transplantation. The diagnosis is pathologically confirmed by the demonstration of immunohistochemical staining specific for CMV in a resected ureteral section. We draw attention to this very particular presentation of CMV hemorrhagic cystitis with ureteral obstruction in order to emphasize atypical presentation of tissue-invasive CMV disease far beyond the timetable for posttransplant CMV infection.

In this retrospective study, 83 patients were accepted. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) group consisting of 37 patients were converted from calcineurin inhibitors (CNI), and the control group included 46 patients (initially CNI-receiving patients). As a control-match of each mTOR inhibitor patient, the succeeding patient with transplantation who continued CNI therapy was chosen. All patients received CNI, MMF, and prednisolone as an immunosuppressive therapy initially. In comparison of two groups, there was no significant difference between sex, donor organ source, donor organ ischemia time, or mismatches. However, mean age between groups was significantly different (mTOR group: 48.3 +/- 12, CNI group: 38.6 +/- 11, p < 0.001). Decision of conversion to mTOR inhibitors in 30 patients was made by biopsy. The reasons for conversion were determined as CNI nephrotoxicity in 15 patients, chronic allograft nephropathy in 15 patients, malignancy in 6 patients, and renal artery stenosis in 1 patient. Basal glomerular filtration rates (GFRs) were markedly lower in mTOR group than in CNI group (38.8 mL/min vs. 72.7 mL/min). At the end of 48-month follow-ups, GFR increased from 38 mL/min to 54 mL/min in mTOR group; however, it decreased to 53 mL/min from 72 mL/min in CNI group. There was no difference left between the two groups in GFR after 4-year follow-up. Hyperlipidemia was higher in mTOR group. Acute rejection rates were similar. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease was more prevalent in CNI group. Graft failure developed due to secondary reasons, causing mortality in both groups. We suggest that conversion to mTOR inhibitors maintains and improves graft functions well.

Pneumocystis pnömonisi (PCP) insanda Pneumocystis jirovecii’nin (P. jirovecii) neden olduğu fırsatçı bir akciğer enfeksiyonudur. Bu çalışmada böbrek transplantasyonu sonrasında pnömoni gelişen 23 yaşında bir erkek olgu sunulmaktadır. Hastanın bronkoalveoler lavaj (BAL) sıvısı örneklerinde Giemsa, metanamin-gümüş ve Toluidin-O boyaları ile P. jirovecii trofozoit ve kistleri saptanmıştır. PCP olarak değerlendirilen hasta 21 günlük trimetoprim-sülfamatoksazol (TMP-SMZ) tedavisine yanıt alınması üzerine taburcu edilmiştir. Transplantasyon sonrası profi laktik tedavi almasına rağmen PCP gelişen bu olgu, etkenin immunsupresyon gelişmiş hastalardaki önemini vurgulamak için sunulmuştur. Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is an opportunistic infection caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii (P. jirovecii) in humans. We reported a 23 yearold male patient who developed pneumonia after renal transplantation. P. jirovecii cysts and trophozoites were detected in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples of the patient by Giemsa, methenamine-silver and Toluidine-O staining. The patient, who was diagnosed as PCP, was discharged as he recovered by 21 days trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) therapy. This case, who developed PCP even though he had received prophylaxis after transplantation, was reported to emphasize the importance of the agent in immunocompromised patients.

Renal transplant recipients should be considered at high risk for development of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (tuberculosis, TB). TB is relatively more frequent among transplant recipients than general population, depending on its epidemicity in the geographic region. Clinical manifestations in this group of patients may be atypical and deserve aggressive investigations for diagnosis. Tuberculin skin test has several limitations regarding diagnosis in chronic renal failure patients. In this retrospective study, we aimed to explore the prevalence and clinical manifestations of TB in renal transplant patients.We retrospectively analyzed the data for TB prevalence, clinical presentations, and patient and graft survivals of total 320 pediatric and adult renal transplant recipients in our center between 1992 and 2010.The prevalence of TB was 2.8%. Five patients received kidney from living-donor related and four from cadaveric donors. Cadaveric-donor patients received antithymocyte globulin for induction, and four patients received pulse steroid for acute rejection. The median duration of time between transplantation and TB was 21 (1-150) months, and between induction/pulse therapy and infection was 5 (1-100) months. The immunosuppressive protocols included prednisolone and cyclosporine/rapamycin with or without mycophenolate mofetil/azathioprine. The major symptoms were fever (77%), cough (66%), and abdominal pain (22%). Extrapulmonary TB with intestinal (2/9), pericardial (1/9), lymph node (1/9), and cerebral (1/9) involvements developed in five patients. One patient had both pulmonary and testicular involvements. All patients received quartet of anti-TB therapy for a median duration of 9 months. One patient died at the second month of therapy because of dissemination of TB, and one patient returned to hemodialysis because of chronic allograft nephropathy.The prevalence of TB was 2.8% in our renal transplant patients. The quartet of anti-TB treatment including rifampicin resulted in success in a majority of patients.

Introduction. The application of mupirocin to the exit-site in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients decreases peritonitis and exit-site infection (ESI) considerably. However, long-term application of mupirocin may result in the development of methicillin- and mupirocin-resistant strains. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of once-a-week vs. thrice-a-week application of mupirocin on mupirocin and methicillin resistance in ID patients. Patients and methods. Thirty-six patients were divided into two groups based on frequency of weekly mupirocin application at the catheter exit-site. In group 1, patients were randomly assigned to apply mupirocin once a week (n = 18), while patients in group 2 applied mupirocin three times a week (n = 18). We obtained cultures from the nares, inguinal area, axillae, and the exit site. The microorganisms reproduced, and the resistance to mupirocin and methicillin were recorded. Three years of follow-up of these patients were also recorded. Results. During the three-year follow-up period, seven episodes (0.26 episodes/patient-years) of ESI and 13 episodes (0.36 episodes/patient-years) of peritonitis were determined in group 1, and one episode of ESI (0.11 episodes/patient-years) and six episodes (0.24 episodes/patient-years) of peritonitis were determined in group 2. The rate of peritonitis and ESI were, respectively, 56% and 92% lower in group 2 when compared to group I (p = 0.041 and p = 0.038, respectively). Throughout three years, a total of 1852 samples were analyzed. In group 1, S. aureus reproduction rate and mupirocin resistance were 2.11% and 0.2%, respectively. In group 2, S. aureus reproduction rate was 0.93%, and no mupirocin resistance was observed. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus was not observed in both groups. Coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CNS) reproduction rate was 70.56% (mupirocin resistance: 59.87% and methicillin resistance: 33.7%) and 72.56% (mupirocin resistance: 64.7% and methicillin resistance: 33.3%) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. No peritonitis and ESI secondary to S. aureus and fungal agents were observed in both groups. Conclusion. The thrice-a-week application of mupirocin seems to be more efficient when compared to once-a-week application of mupirocin. Long-term application of mupirocin may cause the development of mupirocin- and methicillin-resistant strains, especially in CNS, which results in a difficulty for struggling against infections.

Background The observation that long-standing hyperuricemia is associated with chronic tubulointerstitial disease, afferent arteriolopathy, intrarenal vasoconstriction, and increased vascular resistance raises the hypothesis that hyperuricemia might contribute to chronic cyclosporine (CsA) nephropathy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of hyperuricemia on chronic CsA nephropathy. Methods Patients who were treated with CsA-based immunsuppressive regimens and underwent a renal biopsy were enrolled in this case-control study. We retrospectively obtained posttransplant baseline serum creatinine, uric acid (UA), mean serum UA, and creatinine values 3 months prior to biopsy. CsA trough levels, mean blood pressure, diuretic and antihypertensive treatment were recorded. Biopsy specimens showing CsA nephropathy (n = 34) were revaluated by a pathologist to score CsA nephropathy according to recent quantitative criteria for calcineurin inhibitor arteriolopathy as proposed by M.J. Mihatsch. Results As compared with the non-CsA nephropathy group, recipient and donor ages, donor origin and cold ischemia times were similar for the CsA nephropathy group (P > .05). Mean CsA doses, CsA trough (C0), and C2 levels were not different between the groups (P > .05). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, glomerular filtration rate, diuretic usage, and antihypertensive treatment were also similar in CsA nephropathy and non-CsA nephropathy groups (P > .05). Mean serum UA level within 3 months prior to biopsy in the CsA nephropathy and non-CsA nephropathy groups were 7.5 ± 1.4 mg/dL versus 5.7 ± 1.4 mg/dL, respectively (P Conclusion Hyperuricemia seems to exacerbate CsA-induced nephropathy.

Patients with systemic amyloidosis often have symptoms related to impared gastrointestinal motility due to delayed gastric emptying, which results from autonomic nerve or smooth muscle infiltration with amyloid. There is no current report about gastric delaying secondary to amyloidosis due to familial Mediterranean fever. In this report, we have described a renal transplant recipient with delayed gastric emptying secondary to amyloidosis due to familial Mediterranean fever, which improved with erithromycin treatment.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is an important complication and an independent risk factor for acute rejection and recipient morbidity-mortality. The aim of this study was to review the results of CMV disease in renal transplant recipients. Method. We have retrospectively analyzed CMV disease in 120 renal transplant recipients and recorded the demographic features, clinical manifestations, and immunosuppressive regimens. Results. Twenty-nine recipients (24.1%) developed CMV disease after a median interval of 2.8 +/- 2,6 months from transplantation. CMV disease developed in 36.3% of recipients who received basiliximab as induction therapy and 21.4% of recipients who were treated with anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG). The most commonly used immunosuppressive regimen was cyclosporine-A (CsA)based (79.3%). The mean cumulative steroid dose until the diagnosis was 3,600 mg methyl prednisolone per patient. Malaise, fever, and diarrhea were the most common symptoms. Gastritis, pneumonia, and transaminitis were the most commonly seen end-organ involvements. Frequent laboratory findings were leukopenia (34.5%), increased serum creatinine level (34.5%), and leukocytosis (20.7%). We performed renal biopsy to seven patients and detected acute rejection in four patients. In 25 patients, immunosuppressive treatment was modified. Relapsing CMV disease was seen in seven patients. Conclusion. In our study, CMV disease was seen in recipients who were treated with basiliximab, a finding similar to recipients who were treated with ATG.

Since cyclosporine A (CsA) had been used in renal transplant recipients, important improvements in short-term and long-term graft survivals have been detected. In spite of these improvements CsA seems to have several adverse effects. First, CsA leads to nephrotoxicity. Moreover, CsA affects the other organs and systems (skin, liver, nervous system, etc.) and causes, increased risks of infections and malignancies. Hypomagnesemia is one of the side effects of CsA therapy, but it is a rare condition in living related donor renal transplant recipients. It may also cause multi-system dysfunction, especially hypocalcemia and hypokalemia, which cannot be corrected without magnesium therapy. In addition, rhabdomyolysis was detected in animals, but it has not been reported in living related donor renal transplant recipients. In this case report, a living related donor renal transplant recipient who suffered from hypomagnesemia and mild rhabdomyolysis due to CsA therapy will be described and discussed.

In the present study, we prospectively investigated the effects of once- or thrice-weekly prophylactic application of mupirocin to catheter exit sites on Staphylococcus aureus carriage, methicillin and mupirocin resistance, and catheter-related infections in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. We enrolled 36 CAPD patients (men/women: 21/ 15; mean age: 55.1 +/- 1.4 years) in the study. At the start of the study, patients had been on once-weekly mupirocin treatment for 3.1 +/- 2.0 years. They were then randomly assigned to use mupirocin either once weekly (group I; n = 18; men/women: 10/8; age: 55.3 +/- 1.8 years) or thrice weekly (group II; n = 18; men/women: 11/7; age: 55.0 +/- 2.3 years). During the study period, swabs were taken monthly from nares, axillae, the inguinal area, and the catheter exit site. We evaluated a total of 806 samples in the first 6 months of the study. The two study groups were similar in terms of age and sex. In group I, 5 isolations of S. aureus in 3 patients came from initial S. aureus carriers. During the first 6 months of the study, only 2 new S. aureus carriers were detected in group I, for a total of 7 isolations. Mupirocin resistance (MuR) was present in only 1 isolate and methicillin resistance (MeR) was not observed. In group II, no S. aureus carriers were present at the initial evaluation, and we encountered only 1 new S. aureus carrier during the first 6 months of the study. During the same period, MuR and MeR were absent in group II. During the 6 months, we observed 1 exit-site infection and 1 peritonitis episode attributable to coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CNS) in group I. In group II, we observed 1 exit-site infection attributable to CNS. During the first 6 months of the study, once- or thrice-weekly application of mupirocin to the catheter exit site has not led to any significant change in S. aureus carriage, MeR and MuR, or catheter-related infection in our CAPD patients.

Today, low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) are more and more commonly used. They are about to replace standard heparin in certain circumstances. The pharmacokinetics of intraperitoneal standard heparin are well known in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), but data concerning LMWHs are lacking. The present study investigated the pharmacokinetics of intraperitoneal LMWHs in a single dose and compared them with the subcutaneous route in CAPD patients. The study enrolled 8 CAPD patients with a mean age of 47 +/- 14.14 years. All patients had 40 mg enoxaparin added to their night exchange on one day. Blood samples were drawn just before instillation and at 2, 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24 hours after instillation for determination of plasma antifactor Xa activity. After two days of washout, the same patients were given enoxaparin 40 mg subcutaneously, and blood samples were drawn at the same time points. Although no plasma factor Xa activity was seen after intraperitoneal administration, subcutaneous administration resulted in increased plasma factor Xa activity. We conclude that a single dose of intraperitoneal enoxaparin did not cause any change in plasma anti-factor Xa activity. That finding may be due either to an insufficient dose or to nonabsorption.

It is well known that free iron causes oxidant stress to increase. However data concerning whether intravenously (I.V) administered iron in maintenance doses (10-20 mg) gives rise to increased oxidant stress and disturbed erythrocyte deformability (EDEF) in hemodialysis (HD) patients is lacking. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of I.V iron on oxidant stress and EDEF.Thirteen HD patients (10 males, 3 females, mean age: 49.9 +/- 13.4 years), given I.V iron were included in the study. All patients were undergone three consecutive HD session. The first HD session was performed without iron administration (Group 1), whereas in the following sessions the same patients were given 20 mg (Group 2) and 100 mg (Group 3) iron III hydroxide sucrose (Venofer--Abdi Ibrahim) I.V at the end of the dialysis session. In study periods, 7 blood samples were drawn from each patient: before dialysis, at the end of the dialysis (just after the session), 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after each dialysis session. However 15 minute samples were not drawn in the third group, since I.V iron was given by infusion in 30 minutes. EDEF and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) were studied in all samples.When the results of the session without iron were considered, bivariate correlation analysis did not reveal any correlation between MDA and EDEF. When the course of each parameter were considered separately, MDA levels 90 and 120 minutes after HD session were significantly higher than that of the before and just after the HD session (p0.05). Whereas EDEF in 60, 90 and 120 minutes after HD session was found to be worsened when compared to before and just after HD sessions' values (p0.05). When results of the session with 20 mg iron were considered, EDEF and MDA values were not found to be correlated and throughout the course. Although EDEF did not present any significant change, MDA levels 60, 90 and 120 minutes after HD session were found to be significantly higher than that of the 15 and 30 minutes after HD session (p0,05). When results of the session with 100 mg iron were considered, MDA levels 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after HD session were found to be significantly higher than that of the before and just after the HD sessions' (p0,05). EDEF in 90 and 120 minutes after HD session was improved and no correlation between MDA and EDEF was observed. When groups were compared with each other, plasma MDA levels in session with 100 mg iron at the beginning, at the end and 30 minutes after HD were significantly lower than that of the without iron group (p0.05). Similarly MDA levels in session with 100 mg iron at the beginning, at the end, 30 minutes and 120 minutes after HD were significantly lower than that of the 20 mg iron (p0.05). When EDEF values in sessions with 20 mg iron and without iron were considered, only values 60 and 90 minutes after dialysis were significantly improved in 20 mg iron group. The others were statistically similar.In the present study, it was observed that I.V administered iron in 20 and 100 mg doses did not cause additional deteriorating effect on oxidant stress and EDEF was even improved by I.V iron.

Objective: We have conducted the following study to determine the prevalence of premature ejaculation in male hemodialysis patients and its impact on sexual quality of life. Methods: This study was performed in hemodialysis facilities. Patients were asked to complete the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire and also to report their ejaculation status. 98 male hemodialysis patients with normal potency were included in the study. The IIEF domain scores were determined, and the overall and relationship satisfaction rates were calculated for the patients with and without premature ejaculation separately. Results: The mean age was 45.9 (range 30–69) years and the duration of hemodialysis was 37.8 (range 7–84) months. Premature ejaculation was determined in 31 (31.6%) patients. Patients with premature ejaculation experienced significantly lower overall satisfaction scores. Items of satisfaction with overall sexual life and sexual relationship with partner were responded to with a score of ‘moderately satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ in 47 and 53% of patients with premature ejaculation and 84 and 86% of patients without premature ejaculation, respectively. Conclusions: Premature ejaculation is a prevalent disorder in hemodialysis patients and seems to affect the satisfaction rate and sexual quality of life of these patients.

In this study we determine the sexual problems and the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in male hemodialysis patients by means of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). A total of 187 male patients were included in the study. All of the patients who underwent hemodialysis were asked to complete the IIEF questionnaire. The IIEF domain scores were calculated and erectile dysfunction grading was determined on erectile function domain. Patients were also asked to report whether they had disclosed their sexual problems to physicians or not.The mean age was 49.3+/-13.2 y and the duration of hemodialysis was 38.1+/-8.4 months. By means of the IIEF, the prevalence of erectile dysfunction of any degree was 80.7%. The prevalence of any ED for the patients50 y andor=50 y was 74.5% and 86.6%, respectively. The prevalence and the severity of ED was significantly higher in patientsor=50 y. The frequency of intercourse attempts during the last four weeks was 1-2 in 130 (69.5%) of patients. Only 1% of patients disclosed their erectile problems and sought medical assistance prior to our study.Erectile dysfunction is highly prevalent in hemodialysis patients. The prevalence and the severity of ED increased with age. Evaluations for ED should be included in routine assessment of hemodialysis patients.

We investigated the systemic effect of intraperitoneal low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients by measuring plasma total tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) levels, regarding the fact that the levels of plasma TFPI increases 2- to 4-fold after subcutaneous and intravenous administration of unfractioned heparin or LMWH. Eleven men and 6 women who had been on CAPD for 32 26 months and 15 healthy controls were included in the study. After administration of intraperitoneal enoksiparin in dialysate, plasma samples were obtained 4 h later. TFPI levels were significantly higher in CAPD patients (207.8+/-55 ng/ml) compared to the healthy subjects (72.5+/-29 ng/ml) (p

PATIENTS AND METHODSPatientsSixty-seven renal transplantation patients transplanted consecu-tively between April 1992 and December 1999 at our institutionwere enrolled in this retrospective analysis. The study populationwas composed of 46 (69%) males and 21 (31%) females. Theoverall mean age of the population was 34 6 12 years, with therange of 13 to 73 years. The mean duration of the follow-up was 45;8 6 3; 2 months. Fifty-five (80%) patients were adults and the rest(12, 20%) were pediatric patients. Living related and cadavericallografts were transplanted in 45 (67%) and 22 (33%) patients,respectively. All the patients with the exception of two, weretransplanted once. All the kidneys were transplanted into the iliacfossa. Unilateral nephrectomies were performed in two patientswith reflux nephropathy simultaneously with the transplantation.Death and graft loss were the end points. Initiation of renalreplacement therapies and patient loss, even if the graft wasfunctional, were regarded as graft loss.ImmunosuppressionThe same immunosuppression regimen was applied in all patientsand was composed of prednisolone, cyclosporine A, and azathio-prine. Prednisolone 1 mg/kg per day and azathioprine 2.25 mg/kgper day were begun 2 days prior to the planned living relatedtransplantation, and methylprednisolone 15 mg/kg was adminis-tered peroperatively. Oral prednisolone was given in dose of 1.5mg/kg after transplantation and reduced to 0.30 mg/kg/day at tenthpostoperative day, and it was further decreased to 0.20 mg/kg perday after 2 months and to 0.10 to 0.15 mg/kg after the fourthmonth. Azathioprine dose was usually remained stable at 2 mg/kgper day. In case of myelosuppression it decreased further. Cyclo-sporine A in dose of 5 mg/kg/day was started enterally after theserum creatinine level was decreased to 4 mg/dL postoperatively.Later, on dose adjustment was done according to blood levels.During the first 6 months blood levels were usually maintainedbetween 150 and 250 ng/mL and 75 and 150 ng/mL thereafter.Antimicrobial ProphylaxisFor antimicrobial prophylaxis, cefotaxime (2 3 1 g/day) for the first48 hours, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (400/80 mg/d) for 6months, nystatin (100000 U tid) for 3 months, and acyclovir (200mg tid) for 6 months were given. Gancyclovir and anticytomegalo-virus hyperimmunoglobulin were used for cytomegalovirus (CMV)prophylaxis in high-risk patients and for the treatment of CMVdiseases.Acute RejectionDiagnoses of acute rejection episodes were established primarilyon the clinical signs and laboratory findings. Acute rejection wassuspected for at least 25% increment in serum creatine level abovethe baseline. The tru-cut biopsies were performed in eight cases forhistological confirmation.Antirejective therapy protocol consisted of pulse steroid (intra-venous 10 mg/kg methylprednisolone for 3 consecutive days) andantithymocyte globuline (ATG) for unresponsive cases.StatisticsSurvival rates were calculated by means of Kaplan-Meier analysis.Differences between subgroups, which were segregated accordingto age group and organ source, were tested by Gehan test

Dialysis adequacy has gained particular interest for the assessment of the quality of dialysis in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Kt/V is used as a test of dialysis adequacy in HD and CAPD patients. The aim of this study was to compare two different Kt/V methods in CAPD patients. A practical method for the calculation of Kt/V will be suggested at the end of this prospective study. The study group included 28 patients. Each patient received CAPD therapy four times per day. During the study, CAPD dialysate samples for a period of 24 hours were obtained by two different methods. One is a modified method for obtaining samples by the patient at home; the other is the conventional method. For study purposes only, we told the patients using the modified method to bring all the bags to the center (contrary to the aim of the modified method). In the first method (modified method), CAPD patients collected 24-hour dialysate and urine samples at home and brought all of the materials to the hospital. A 10 mm3 dialysate sample was drawn from each CAPD dialysate bag, and then a total of 40 mm3 dialysate was mixed in a beaker. A sample of 10 mm3 of dialysate was taken from the mixture in the beaker, and then this dialysate sample, urine, and 5 mm3 venous blood were sent to the laboratory for urea nitrogen (UN) and creatinine level determinations. In addition to these tests, 24-hour dialysate and urine volumes and the patients’ weight and height were measured, and Kt/V values were calculated. In the second method (classic method), all the bags from the 24-hour period were collected and mixed in a big bucket, and then a 10 mm3 sample was taken. The remaining procedures were the same as for the first method. Mean Kt/V values were calculated separately for the two methods and were found to be 2.48 by the modified method and 2.52 by the classic method. The results of the two methods were compared with the Wilcoxon paired t-test, which showed no statistically significant difference (p = 0.5228). In conclusion, two different Kt/V methods can be used in CAPD patients. However, the modified method is easily performed, and CAPD patients can collect and take the dialysate and urine samples at home, and bring these materials to the renal unit without transportation problems.