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OBJECTIVES: Most of human papilomavirus (HPV) infections are “cleared” by the immune system, however, in cases of immune system suppression infections could lead to development of malignancies. The aim of this study was to find out the frequency of HR-HPV infection in early period after renal transplantation in Latvian recipients receiving immunosuppressive therapy and to follow the progression of the infection up to one year. METHODS: 43 female renal recipients (median age of 48 IQR= 39-58) and 79 practically healthy female individuals (median age of 48 IQR= 42-57) as a control group were enrolled in this investigation. For the detection of HPV infection patients' samples (blood and vaginal swabs) where collected two weeks after transplantation with following collection of six months and one year. Different polymerase chain reactions for HR-HPV genomic sequences detection and commercial ELISA kit for detection of anti-HPV IgG antibodies were used. RESULTS: In this study we show that frequency rate of HR-HPV infection has increased by the one year after transplantation from early stage of immumosuppressive therapy (from 24% to 36%). Also increase of HR-HPV load was detected over the time, showing the highest median viral load at sixth month after transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: From the obtained data follows that it is very important to carefully monitor patients receiving immunosuppression therapy on progression of HR-HPV. In the case of this viral infection presence, immunosuppressive therapy must be attentively adjusted to avoid the HR-HPV infection rapid progression with the subsequent development of CIN or cervical cancer.

Background Human papillomavirus type 18 is the second most common cause of cervical cancer and is found in 7 to 20 % of cases of cervical cancer. The oncogenic potential of high-risk human papillomavirus is associated with expression of early proteins E6 and E7. Due to long-term immunosuppressive therapy, renal transplant recipients have a higher risk of developing persistent human papillomavirus infection. Case presentation A 29-year-old white woman from Latvia with chronic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis received renal allograft transplantation and was prescribed immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine, prednisolone, and mycophenolate mofetil. Two weeks after renal transplantation, her cervical swab was positive for human papillomavirus consensus sequences. After 6 months, quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed a high viral load of 3,630,789 copies/105 cells of high-risk human papillomavirus type 18 and expression of E6 and E7 oncogenes in her cervical swab and urine sample. One year after renal transplantation, the viral load in her cervical swab increased significantly to 7,413,102 copies/105 cells. Messenger ribonucleic acid of human papillomavirus type 18 E6 and E7 oncogenes were also detected. Shortly after this, she had an unsuccessful pregnancy which resulted in a spontaneous abortion at 6/7 weeks. Two months after the abortion her viral load sharply decreased to 39 copies/105 cells. Oncogenes E6 and E7 messenger ribonucleic acid expression was not observed in this period. Conclusions This case report represents data which show that immunosuppressive therapy may increase the risk of developing persistent high-risk human papillomavirus infection with expression of E6 and E7 oncogenes in renal transplant recipients. However, even during this therapy the immune status of a recipient can improve and contribute to human papillomavirus viral load reduction. Spontaneous abortion can be considered a possible contributory factor in human papillomavirus clearance.

The aim of the present study was to describe the current situation of donation after circulatory death (DCD) in the Council of Europe, through a dedicated survey. Of 27 participating countries, only 10 confirmed any DCD activity, the highest one being described in Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom (mainly controlled) and France and Spain (mainly uncontrolled). During 2000-2009, as DCD increased, donation after brain death (DBD) decreased about 20% in the three countries with a predominant controlled DCD activity, while DBD had increased in the majority of European countries. The number of organs recovered and transplanted per DCD increased along time, although it remained substantially lower compared with DBD. During 2000-2008, 5004 organs were transplanted from DCD (4261 kidneys, 505 livers, 157 lungs and 81 pancreas). Short-term outcomes of 2343 kidney recipients from controlled versus 649 from uncontrolled DCD were analyzed: primary non function occurred in 5% vs. 6.4% (P = NS) and delayed graft function in 50.2% vs. 75.7% (P

Objective To assess phosphate-binding efficacy of a new food product, bread with unusually high calcium content (Ca-bread). Design and setting A randomized parallel group trial in the university hospital outpatient dialysis unit. Patients Fifty-three randomly selected uremic patients who met the following inclusion criteria: (1) required maintenance hemodialysis treatment, (2) were not to receive vitamin D throughout the study, (3) were nondiabetic, and (4) were diagnosed with hyperphosphatemia. Intervention Fifty-three patients were randomized into 2 groups: control group (n = 26), which received calcium acetate as a phosphate binder throughout the study, and Ca-bread group (n = 27), which, after a 2-week washout period, received Ca-bread containing 2.5% of elemental calcium (by weight), which served as a phosphate binder. Bread was made using wheat flour, calcium carbonate, and fermented buttermilk. The amount of elemental calcium used as a phosphate binder was similar in both groups. Observation of both groups lasted 14 weeks. Results Mean serum phosphate concentration at randomization was 2.11 ± 0.14 mmol/L in the control group and 2.20 ± 0.13 mmol/L in the Ca-bread group. Mean serum calcium concentration at randomization was 2.12 ± 0.21 mmol/L in the control group and 2.14 ± 0.11 mmol/L in the Ca-bread group. The Ca-bread group patients' predialysis phosphate concentration decreased to a mean of 1.67 ± 0.18 mmol/L ( P P = NS). In the control group, neither value changed significantly from the original readings. After the hemodialysis session, the mean serum calcium concentration in the control group and the Ca-bread group increased by 7.5% and 7.9%, respectively ( P = NS). Mean phosphate concentration simultaneously decreased to nearly 1/2 its original predialysis value in both groups. Ca-bread group patients saw a decrease in the mean phosphate concentration (from predialysis to postdialysis values) that was 13.8% greater than that of the control group ( P = NS). Conclusion A new form of calcium-containing phosphate binder was developed: Ca-bread with an elemental calcium content of 2.5%. Ca-bread allows for effective amelioration of hyperphosphatemia without inducing hypercalcemia. Furthermore, patient compliance may increase if hyperphosphatemia can be treated by consuming bread with an elevated calcium content.

Impact of Subclinical Rejection on Kidney Graft Function During the First Year after Transplantation Introduction. There is no unified opinion about the role of subclinical rejection (SR) in further kidney graft function and the necessity of its treatment. Aim of the Study. The aim of our study is to determine the impact of SR on kidney graft function during the first year after transplantation. Materials and methods. Totally 144 deceased donor kidney transplantations were performed in a single center between January 1, 2007, and March 16, 2009. The study included patients who developed the primary graft function (n=78). Protocol biopsies were performed in 28 patients. The patients were divided into 4 groups: group A - patients, who had no histological signs of rejection on their protocol biopsy; group B - patients with histological signs of rejection who were treated with steroids; group C - patients with histological signs of rejection and with no treatment; group D - patients who were not biopsied. All groups were compared for serum creatinine level, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), number of clinical rejection 1, 3, 6, 12 months after the transplantation. Results. Histological examination revealed that 18 of 28 patients who underwent the protocol biopsy had SR grade from IA to IIA (64.3%). Comparison of the group showed no statistical difference in creatinine level and GFR 12 months after the transplantation (p > 0,05 for all groups). Conclusions. During the first 12 months after transplantation SR does not significantly impact the graft function. However, the graft function was slightly worse in patients with SR and without treatment, and relatively better in patients with SR who were treated by steroids than in patients from others groups. Further follow-up is needed to determine the longer-term results.

The aim of the present study was to describe the current situation of donation after circulatory death (DCD) in the Council of Europe, through a dedicated survey. Of 27 participating countries, only 10 confirmed any DCD activity, the highest one being described in Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom (mainly controlled) and France and Spain (mainly uncontrolled). During 2000-2009, as DCD increased, donation after brain death (DBD) decreased about 20% in the three countries with a predominant controlled DCD activity, while DBD had increased in the majority of European countries. The number of organs recovered and transplanted per DCD increased along time, although it remained substantially lower compared with DBD. During 2000-2008, 5004 organs were transplanted from DCD (4261 kidneys, 505 livers, 157 lungs and 81 pancreas). Short-term outcomes of 2343 kidney recipients from controlled versus 649 from uncontrolled DCD were analyzed: primary non function occurred in 5% vs. 6.4% (P = NS) and delayed graft function in 50.2% vs. 75.7% (P

The situation of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients in central and eastern Europe was very poor for many years during the so called socialistic era. Economical and political liberation resulted in the significant growth of renal replacement facilities in this region. The number of hemodialysis units increased significantly (56%) during the period 1990-1996, and the number of patients treated with this modality has risen by 75%. More dramatic progress was achieved in peritoneal dialysis. The number of units performing this method of renal replacement therapy (RRT) increased by 277% and the number of patients by more than 300%. Not only quantitative but also qualitative changes were observed. More modern hemodialysis machines installed in the vast majority of units allow for the performance of bicarbonate dialysis, controlled ultrafiltration, and sodium profile modeling. Also, a wider choice of biocompatible dialyzers has become available during the last few years. The number of centers performing renal transplantation has increased significantly, but the number of renal transplants has not followed this progress. Despite all the progress, further development of all RRT methods is necessary to achieve acceptance rates comparable to those observed in developed countries.