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Background: Screening for latent tuberculosis infection using Interferon-Gamma Release Assays is a routine procedure prior to the initiation of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) biotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy. However, indeterminate results are relatively frequent and are an obstacle to treatment initiation. Aim: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the frequency of indeterminate QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus ® test results in Tunisian patients, and to analyze the potential clinico-biological risk factors associated with these indeterminate results. Methods: Whole blood samples from 712 patients being monitored for autoimmune diseases and candidates for anti-TNF biotherapy or switch of immunosuppressive therapy were used to screen for latent tuberculosis infection using the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus ® test. Based on literature background, the following variables were tested for the association with indeterminate results: gender, age, diabetes, immunosuppressive drugs, lymphocyte count, Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, serum albumin, and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Results: The QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus ® test was negative in 572 (80.3%) patients, positive in 106 (14.9%), and indeterminate in 34 (4.8%) cases. Positive results were significantly associated with a family history of confirmed and treated tuberculosis, OR (95% CI) = 52 (20.2–134.3). The use of immunosuppressive drugs and duration of treatment were significantly associated with the occurrence of indeterminate results: OR (95% CI) = 24.5 (5.8–103) and OR (95% CI) = 1.004 (1.002–1.007), respectively. Biologically, lymphopenia, hypoalbuminemia, and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate were significant risk factors for indeterminate results: p = 5 E-6, p = 4.3 E-4, and p = 0.002, respectively. Thus, a multiple logistic regression model based on these three biological parameters enabled us to develop a predictive score for indeterminate results with a sensitivity of 91.2% and a specificity of 99.9%, AUC = 0.9964 (0.9917–1), p = 2.8 E-52. Conclusion: Immunosuppressive therapy, lymphopenia, hypoalbuminemia, and kidney failure appeared to be risk factors for indeterminate QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus ® results.

Background: Although, several studies have assessed the association of the phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) and HLA-DQA1 SNPs with primary membranous nephropathy (PMN), results were inconsistent and between-studies heterogeneity needs to be investigated. Objectives: The aim of this review was to summarize existing data on the contribution of 10 SNPs in the PLA2R and HLA-DQA1 genes to PMN susceptibility and to investigate the between-studies heterogeneity by subgroup analyses and meta-regressions. Design: This study was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Data sources and methods: An electronic literature search for eligible studies among all papers published prior to January 10, 2024, was conducted through PubMed, EMBASE, Web of science and Scopus databases. Meta-analyses together with subgroup analyses and meta-regressions were performed for the 10 following SNPs: rs4664308, rs3749117, rs3749119, rs35771982, rs3828323, rs16844715, rs1511223, rs6757188, rs2715918, and rs2187668. Results: Combined analyses revealed a significant increase in PMN risk conferred by the following alleles: rs4664308*A, rs3749117*T, rs3749119*C, rs35771982*G, rs3828323*C, rs16844715*C, rs1511223*A, rs2715918*A, and rs2187668*A, all P -values

We aimed to investigate the prevalence of the JAK2 V617F mutation in Tunisian patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) and to look for possible associations with diseases’ presentation. In this context, JAK2 V617F polymorphism was detected by PCR-RFLP and direct sequencing in 213 MPN patients (109 with polycythemia vera (PV), 93 with essential thrombocythemia (ET) and 11 with primary myelofibrosis (PMF)), 77 unclassified patients with thrombosis (UPT) and 95 healthy control subjects. The JAK2 V617F mutant allele was present by either PCR-RFLP or direct sequencing in 158 (74.17%) MPN patients while all UPT and controls were negative. Besides, the JAK2 V617F mutation was significantly more frequent in patients with PV 98 (89.9%) than in ET 54 (58.1%) and PMF 6 (54.5%) groups, p

La sarcoïdose est une granulomatose multi viscérale d'étiologie inconnue qui peut revêtir des tableaux cliniques et radiologiques diverses. Les localisations cérébrales bien que rares, peuvent se présenter sous forme pseudo-tumorale trompeuse. Nous rapportons l'observation d'un jeune adulte Tunisien hospitalisé pour hypertension intracrânienne en rapport avec une lésion pseudotumorale radiologique qui a révélé une sarcoïdose systémique.

La maladie céliaque (MC) représente une maladie auto immune touchant plusieurs organes. Elle est souvent révélée par des manifestations digestives avec une malabsorption biologique. Cependant, l'atteinte des séreuses peut exceptionnellement révéler cette entéropathie rendant le diagnostic difficile. Il s'agit du patient JA âgé de 63 ans admis pour exploration de syndrome de malabsorption avec des signes de polysérite à type de pleurésie, péricardite, ascite et hydrocéphalie. Le diagnostic de MC a été porté devant des signes endoscopiques sans arguments sérologiques. L'évolution était partiellement favorable à cause de la mauvaise adhésion au régime sans gluten. Notre observation est le premier cas rapporté d'une polysérite révélant la MC qui devrait être évoquée devant tout syndrome de malabsorption en l'absence de signes évocateurs.

Abstract The ability to accurately predict long-term kidney transplant survival can assist nephrologists in making therapeutic decisions. However, predicting kidney transplantation (KT) outcomes is challenging due to the complexity of the factors involved. Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an increasingly important tool in the prediction of medical outcomes. Our goal was to utilize both conventional and AI-based methods to predict long-term kidney transplant survival. Our study included 407 KTs divided into two groups (group A: with a graft lifespan greater than 5 years and group B: with poor graft survival). We first performed a traditional statistical analysis and then developed predictive models using machine learning (ML) techniques. Donors in group A were significantly younger. The use of Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) was the only immunosuppressive drug that was significantly associated with improved graft survival. The average estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in the 3rd month post-KT was significantly higher in group A. The number of hospital readmissions during the 1st year post-KT was a predictor of graft survival. In terms of early post-transplant complications, delayed graft function (DGF), acute kidney injury (AKI), and acute rejection (AR) were significantly associated with poor graft survival. Among the 35 AI models developed, the best model had an AUC of 89.7% (Se: 91.9%; Sp: 87.5%). It was based on ten variables selected by an ML algorithm, with the most important being hypertension and a history of red-blood-cell transfusion. The use of AI provided us with a robust model enabling fast and precise prediction of 5-year graft survival using early and easily collectible variables. Our model can be used as a decision-support tool to early detect graft status.

Abstract Unexplained deep vein thrombosis may justify screening for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐associated vasculitis as it can be an unusual presentation of this disease.

The World Health Organization estimates that 3% of the general population is infected with this virus. Hepatitis C remains the main viral infection in dialysis patients, and the severity of this infection is the risk of developing cirrhosis or hepatocarcinoma. We aim to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C in dialysis patients, to calculate the rate of hepatitis C virus (HCV) seroconversion, and to identify the risk factors for seroconversion. This is a nationwide multicenter observational study including all dialysis patients regardless of age and gender. Those with acute renal failure and vacationers were excluded from the study. We included 185 centers including 176 hemodialysis (HD) centers and nine peritoneal dialysis (PD) centers with a total number of patients at 11,238, a number of HCV-positive patients at 402, and a number of functional machines at 3139. The mean age of a patient was 55.6 years (range: 18-65), and sex ratio was 0.9. The prevalence of HCV-positive patients is 3.6%; it is higher in private centers with an average of 2.7 compared to 1.18 in public centers with a significant difference (P = 0.009). The prevalence of HCV-positive patients was significantly higher in HD centers compared to PD centers, in centers where the number of generators was >15 and when the number of patients per center is >70. One hundred and fifty-six patients seroconverted after dialysis, i.e., a prevalence of seroconversion at 1.3% with a mean delay of 6.052 ± 5.3 years. Our study shows a lower prevalence of HCV seroconversion than that reported in the literature; this requires a national survey to be carried out by homogenizing virological diagnostic kits and treating infected patients to eradicate this infection in dialysis patients.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) treated by hemodialysis (HD) is a worldwide major public health problem. Its incidence is getting higher and higher, leading to an alarming social and economic impact. The survival of these patients is significantly low, especially during the first year of treatment. The purpose of our study was to identify the epidemiological and clinico-biological characteristics of patients at the HD initiation and to reveal the predictive factors of mortality at three months and one year of HD. This is a prospective, analytical, and descriptive study dealing with 229 patients with an end-stage renal disease (ESRD), followed up in the Nephrology Department of Charles Nicolle Hospital and La Rabta Hospital in Tunisia, that was started HD between January and June 2017. A multivariate logistic regression analysis allowed us to identify the independent predictors of mortality at three months and one year. The average age was 60.2 ± 15.3 years, with a gender ratio of 1.41. Seventy-eight percent of patients had more than two comorbidities, 59% had diabetes, and 88% had hypertension. Diabetic nephropathy was the leading etiology of kidney disease (48.9%), while 11% of nephropathies were of unknown etiology. Only 58% were early referred to a nephrologist. The average glomerular filtration rate at HD initiation was 6.06 ± 2.33 mL/min/1.73 m2. Hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia were noted, respectively, in 60.8% and 84.9% of cases. Anemia was objectified in 98.6% of cases. HD was started in an emergency in 56.8% of cases. One of the most urgent indications was acute pulmonary edema (APE) for 43.8% of patients. Only 10.5% of patients had functional arteriovenous fistula at the dialysis initiation. Patients were hemodialyzed one, two, or three sessions per week, respectively, in 23.2%, 26.6%, and 50.2% of cases. The crude mortality rate was 25% and 13% in, respectively, one year and three months of HD. On multivariate analysis, we identified heart failure and insufficient dialysis dose per week as predictive factors of mortality at the 1st year of HD. C-reactive protein more than 21 mg/L, insufficient dialysis per week, modified Charlson Comorbidity Index less than 6, and APE at the dialysis initiation were identified as predictive factors of three-month mortality. Despite the short period of study, this work revealed the alarming conditions of patients at HD initiation. This critical situation is due to the delay in CKD diagnosis, the late nephrologist referral, and the lack of preparation before HD initiation.

The elderly population has significantly increased in the world. Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is one manifestation of glomerular nephropathy in the elderly. The objective of our study is to determine NS particularities in the elderly and to identify the factors predicting progression to chronic end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This is a retrospective and descriptive study, carried out between January 1, 1975 and December 31, 2017. It includes participants aged 65 years old or over hospitalized for NS. A multivariate study was carried out and the dependent variable was the evolution to ESRD. We studied 115 patients with an average age of 71 ±5 years (65–83) and a sex ratio (male/female) of 1.7. Twenty-three percent of patients were diabetic. The median proteinuria was 4.7 g/L (3–19.5). NS was impure in 89.5% of patients. Renal biopsy was performed in 45 patients (39.13%). NS was secondary in 65.2% of cases mainly to amyloidosis (35.6%). Idiopathic nephropathy was dominated by membranous nephropathy (9.5%). Treatment was etiopathogenic in only 18 patients (15.6%). At the end of follow-up, 15.8% of patients achieved complete or partial remission and 56.6% progressed to ESRD. The multivariate study found as independent risk factors of progression to ESRD: uremia >17 mmol/L [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 33.2 (1.3–837.7); P

Abstract Proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits is a new disorder with undefined treatment modalities. We propose cyclophosphamide‐bortezomib‐dexamethasone and autologous stem cell transplantation as a therapeutic protocol.

Abstract Renal involvement in Niemann‐Pick disease type B is very rare. Kidney check‐up and renal biopsy should be performed in any patient presented with hypertension and kidney disease. Histology identifies the lesion, the prognosis, and guide treatment.

Renal tubular involvement in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) often described with renal tubular acidosis, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, or rarely with Fanconi syndrome. SS presenting with clinical features of Bartter's syndrome or Gitelman's syndrome is rare. We report a case of a female patient who presented an acquired Bartter syndrome with a primary SS.

Light-chain deposition disease (LCDD) reoccurs almost invariably after renal transplantation, leading to early graft loss. We report a case of LCDD with monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance diagnosed in the post-transplant period in a 28-year-old male and we discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in the clinical course.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) are commonly prescribed drugs for blood pressure (BP) control and renal protection. The use of ACEI is not associated with an increased risk of acute pancreatitis and ACEI-induced angioedema is rare. A 36-year-old woman presented with vomiting, headache, and aphasia. Her BP was 220/100 mm Hg. urine analysis revealed proteinuria (2+), hematuria (3+). Serum creatinine level was at 1125 μmol/L. She had anemia with 6.1 g/dL of hemoglobin and thrombocytopenia (61,000/mm3). Renal histology revealed lesions of thrombotic microangiopathy. The diagnosis of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome was made by the complement factor I deficiency. Plasma exchanges could not be done. She was placed on peritoneal dialysis for renal insufficiency. We introduced an ACE (captopril) for the treatment of high BP. Twelve-hours after taking the first dose, she experienced severe epigastric pain and two episodes of vomiting. Serum lipase was 560 IU/L, and abdominal computed tomography showed Stage B pancreatitis. Twenty-four hours later, the patient developed marked edema of the neck region without dyspnea or dysphonia. Cervical ultrasound revealed the infiltration of the subcutaneous tissues. Captopril was stopped with the progressive disappearance of the edema. Serum lipase was 350 IU/L and then normalized at the end of the 4th day. Clinicians should be careful about widely used drugs and their side effects. ACEI can cause potentially life-threatening complications such as angioedema and acute pancreatitis. Possibly, there could be a common mechanism for the onset of pancreatitis and angioedema under ACEI.

Renal involvement is rare in systemic sarcoidosis. Among renal manifestations, tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) is the most commonly reported finding. We conducted the current study to investigate the clinical, laboratory, and histological features and to analyze the outcome of TIN due to sarcoidosis. We present a retrospective, single-center study of patients followed for sarcoidosis and presenting with TIN related to this systemic disease. Twenty-four patients were assessed (22 females/2 males). The mean age at diagnosis of TIN was 46.3 years. Extrarenal manifestations were dominated by thoracic involvement (95.8%), peripheral lymph nodes (54.2%), and skin lesions (33.3%). The mean proteinuria level was 0.68 g/24 h. Renal failure was diagnosed in 83.3% of cases with a median estimated glomerular filtration rate at 14.3 mL/min/1.73 m2. Nine patients presented with hypercalcemia and 12 patients with hypercalciuria. Renal biopsy was performed in 58.3% of cases. Six of the 14 patients presented with noncaseating granulomatous interstitial nephritis and eight with interstitial nephritis without granuloma. Granulomatous infiltration of renal parenchyma was complicated by vasculitis in two cases. Corticosteroid therapy was used in all patients. On follow-up analysis, four patients progressed to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) after a mean duration at 45.5 months. In the remaining patients, kidney function statistically significantly improved after one month of treatment compared to the time when the diagnosis was initially established (P = 0.031). We found that the predictive factors of progression to ESRD were multiorgan involvement (P = 0.032), advanced fibrosis F3 (P = 0.0006), and extensive interstitial granulomas (P = 0.007) and these were independently correlated with ESRD. Corticosteroid therapy seems to be effective in sarcoid TIN, but some degree of persistent renal failure is possible which can be predicted from both histologic findings and initial response to steroid therapy.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common hereditary renal disease, which usually manifests in adulthood. It is characterized by the development of multiple cysts in the kidneys and many other extrarenal manifestations. We aimed to determine the factors that contribute to the progression of ADPKD to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In a retrospective multicentric study, we reviewed the records of 569 patients with ADPKD, hospitalized at a nephrology department or followed up at the outpatient department of university and regional hospitals, covering the north and center of the country, during the period 1969–2016. The mean age of the study patients was 48.54 ± 13.68 years and 14% were young adults (40 years (P = 0.009), hematuria (P = 0.034), hemoglobin >14 g/dL (P = 0.0013), high uric acid level (P = 0.001), and leukocyturia (P = 0.02). Death occurred in 59 cases (10.3%), mostly caused by infections (44.1%). In our study, ADPKD was lately diagnosed in most cases. Family screening is important, which will enable early detection and management of the complications associated with ADPKD.

BackgroundPrimary membranous nephritis (PMN) is an autoimmune disease induced by the deposit of antibodies (Ab) to the phospholipase receptor A2 receptor (PLA2R) on podocytes. In this context, we aimed to assess the relationships between anti-PLA2R Ab, PLA2R rs4664308 SNP, PLA2R mRNA levels and PMN susceptibility and outcome.MethodsSixty-eight PMN patients, 30 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with secondary MN and 30 healthy control subjects served for anti-PLA2R Ab measurement by ELISA and PLA2R rs4664308 SNP genotyping by a commercial real-time PCR. Twenty patients with tubulo-interstitial nephritis (TIN) were used as controls for renal PLA2R mRNA quantification in PMN patients from kidney biopsies. PLA2R mRNA quantification was carried-out by real-time PCR after RNA extraction.ResultsForty-three (63.2%) PMN patients received initial therapy consisting of alternating monthly cycles of corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide. Twelve (17.6%) patients had resistant PMN to initial therapy and were consecutively treated by cyclosporine or tacrolimus. Anti-PLA2R Ab were positive in 54 (79.4%) PMN patients, while all SLE patients and controls were negative, pConclusionAnti-PLA2R Ab and renal PLA2R mRNA could be useful markers for PMN outcome predicting. The PLA2R rs6446308 SNP is associated with PMN susceptibility in Tunisians.

Secondary renal amyloidosis (RA) is the most common type of renal involvement in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). We assessed the epidemiologic and clinico-biological profile of AS patients with RA, to analyze treatment modalities and prognostic aspects, and to determine predictive factors of RA during AS. This was a retrospective study including 13 cases of RA among 212 cases who presented with AS, during the period from 1978 to 2006. The median age of the patients at the time of diagnosing AS was 47 years (range: 19–67). There were 11 males and two females. RA onset was diagnosed after a mean follow-up of 144.6 months (range: 10–505) from the AS diagnosis. We noted erosive peripheral arthritis, lumbar stiffness with bamboo spine, and coxitis in 23.1%, 76.9%, and 30.8% of cases, respectively. Nephrotic syndrome was found in eight patients (61.5%). At the time of diagnosing RA, six patients had renal failure. Amyloid deposits were histologically proven by salivary gland biopsy in six cases (46.1%) and by renal biopsy in seven cases (53.8%). Four patients received a long-course treatment with colchicine but with a good outcome only in two cases. In our series, AS was more severe among patients with RA. Four predictive factors of RA were identified: smoking (P = 0.04), erosive peripheral arthritis (P = 0.002), bamboo spine (P = 0.001), and biologic indicators of inflammation (P = 0.0001). High erythrocyte sedimentation rate was identified as the only independent risk factor of RA during AS (P = 0.0001). Renal function as well as urinalysis should be monitored at regular intervals to detect early renal involvement during AS.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the major complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The diagnosis of DN is mostly clinical. Kidney biopsy is indicated only if nondiabetic renal disease (NDRD) is suspected. This study is aimed to assess the prevalence of NDRD and to determine predictor and prognostic factors of DN, NDRD. It was a retrospective analytic study including T2DM patients in whom renal biopsies were performed at our department from 1988 to 2014. Seventy-five patients were included. Mean age was 52.7 years with sex ratio at 1.56. Renal biopsy findings were isolated NDRD in 33 cases, NDRD superimposed on DN in 24 cases, and isolated DN in 18 cases. Most common NDRD found were focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (21%) and membranous nephropathy (19%). Multivariate analysis showed that the absence of ischemic heart disease [odds ratio (OR) = 0.178, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.041–0.762], absence of peripheral vascular disease (OR = 0.173, 95% CI = 0.045–0.669), and presence of hematuria (OR = 7.200, 95%CI = 0.886–58.531) were independent predictors of NDRD. 24 patients reached end-stage renal disease 55% in DN group, 16% in DN associated to NDRD group, and 30% in NDRD group. The prevalence of NDRD found in our study confirmed usefulness of renal biopsy in patients with T2DM, especially in those without degenerative complications, hypertension, and insulin therapy.

Mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has decreased with the advent of immunosuppressive therapy and the development of hemodialysis. This study aims to evaluate the survival rate, factors of poor prognosis, and causes of death in SLE in a Tunisian series. The records of all SLE patients followed up in a single center during 1974–2014 were reviewed. The causes of death were identified. Prognostic factors of survival were analyzed by multivariate analysis using the comparison of the survival rates by the log-rank test. Two hundred ninety-nine patients with SLE were included (274 women, 25 men) aged meanly of 27.52 years at diagnosis. The death occurred in 50 cases (16.7%). The mean age at death was 28.46 years (14–69 years). The patient survival rates at 5, 10, and 20 years were 83.8%, 78.6%, and 56.7%, respectively. The leading causes of death were active SLE (50%) and infectious complications (36%). Independent factors of poor prognosis identified by multivariate analysis were myocarditis (P = 0.029), splenomegaly (P = 0.0015), and worsening of renal function (P = 0.004). Remission was identified as a protective factor (P = 0.047). Our study shows that renal disease remains the primary cause and the main predictor of death in SLE, which is consistent with the literature data.

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that affects mostly the lungs and lymph glands. Renal involvement is rare and especially vasculitis. We report a case who presented an acute kidney failure and had sarcoidosis with vasculitis and nodular splenic involvement. A 35-year-old woman presenting a Lofgren syndrome was hospitalized for acute renal failure with cervical lymphadenopathy without other clinical findings. Laboratory data disclosed elevated angiotensin converting enzyme serum level. Abdominal ultrasound showed a multinodular spleen. Renal histology revealed granulomatous interstitial nephritis with necrotizing vasculitis. Outcome was favorable after the institution of high dose corticosteroids along with cyclophosphamide. Renal involvement is rare in sarcoidosis. However, the diagnostic delay should be avoided to improve the outcome.

This is a retrospective cohort study over 20 years (1990–2013) that included all patients with biopsy-proven lupus nephritis (LN) followed up at our nephrology department. We aimed to determine the clinicobiologic predictors of flare-up of LN. Flare was defined as an increase in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity index (SLEDAI) score of at least four points. Clinical manifestations and laboratory parameters were assessed and the SLEDAI score was determined for each patient. We included patients with SLE who fulfilled at least four of the American College of Rheumatology criteria for the classification of SLE. A total of 249 patients including 227 females and 22 males with a median age at diagnosis of 34.32 years (range 16–69) were studied. The mean follow-up duration was 122.4 ± 27 months. Renal symptoms included hypertension in 40%, nephrotic syndrome in 30%, and renal failure in 69.4% of the cases. Class IV and class III nephritis (ISN/RPS) were observed in 44.9% and 24% of the patients, respectively. On univariate analysis, flare predictors were age

The chordoma is a benign cartilaginous tumor whose sphenoidale localization is exceptional. This tumor has considerable difficulties of both diagnosis and treatment. We report the observation of a Tunisian adult who presented features of hypopituitarism set wrongly on account of a prolactinoma.

La néphropathie de la vascularite à IgA conditionne le pronostic de cette affection chez l’adulte. Le but de notre étude était d’étudier les caractéristiques cliniques de cette atteinte rénale chez l’adulte et d’identifier les facteurs de pronostic rénal. Il s’agit d’une étude monocentrique rétrospective portant sur les patients ayant une vascularite à IgA (purpura rhumatoïde) (critères de l’EULAR) avec une atteinte rénale prouvée histologiquement et classée selon la classification de Pillebout. Nous avons analysé la survie rénale et identifier les facteurs de pronostic rénal. Vingt cinq patients ont été inclus (genre ratio M/F = 2,57) d’âge moyen au diagnostic du purpura rhumatoïde de 35,76 ans. Un purpura était présent dans 100% des cas avec une atteinte articulaire dans 28%. Une insuffisance rénale était présente dans 44% des cas. La classification histologique la plus fréquente était la classe II. Une rémission clinique a été observée dans 44% des cas et une évolution vers le stade terminal de l’insuffisance rénale chronique dans 36% des cas. La survie rénale à 195 mois était de 57%. Les facteurs pronostiques identifiés étaient l’atteinte digestive (p = 0,022), l’insuffisance rénale initiale (p = 0,0004), la classification glomérulaire (p = 0001) et la sévérité des lésions histologiques, le traitement par bloqueurs du système rénine angiotensine (p = 0,01) et les échanges plasmatiques (p = 0,03). Notre étude montre que l’atteinte rénale au cours des vascularites à IgA peut être relativement sévère avec un mauvais pronostic rénal. L’identification des facteurs pronostiques cliniques et histologiques pourrait guider l’élaboration d’études thérapeutiques prospectives.

Interleukin-17 (IL-17), a cytokine mainly secreted by Th17 cells, seems to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Functional genetic polymorphisms in IL-17 and its receptor genes can influence either qualitatively or quantitatively their functions. Therefore, we aimed to study the impact of IL17-A and IL17RC polymorphisms on plasma level of IL-17 and RA susceptibility and severity.In this context, IL-17A*rs2275913 and IL-17RC*rs708567 polymorphisms were investigated together with the quantification of IL17 plasma level in 115 RA patients and 91 healthy control subjects matched in age, sex and ethnic origin.There were no statistically significant associations between IL-17A and IL-17RC studied polymorphisms and RA susceptibility. In contrast, IL-17A plasma levels were significantly higher in patients (55.07 pg/ml) comparatively to controls (4.75 pg/ml), p

Malgré les progrès réalisés dans le traitement de l'nsuffisance rénale chronique, l'accès vasculaire reste le maillon faible dans la thérapie de suppléance extrarénale et la principale source de morbidité chez les patients hémodialysés. Nous rapportons l'observation d'une jeune patiente ayant une insuffisance rénale chronique secondaire à une néphropathie vasculaire en hémodialyse périodique, confrontée précocement à un épuisement de son capital vasculaire, en raison de thromboses itératives des fistules artério-veineuses et l'échec de la dialyse péritonéale. Un déficit en protéine C a été objectivé. Elle a bénéficié de la mise en place d'un cathéter tunnelisé au niveau de l'oreillette droite par thoracotomie antéro-latérale droite à travers la veine cave inférieure non fonctionnel au bout de trois mois de son utilisation. Elle est depuis dialysée par ponction des veines jugulaires externes.

The impact of delayed graft function (DGF) on the outcome of renal transplantation remains controversial. We analyzed the risk factors for DGF and its impact on graft and patient survival. A total of 354 renal transplants performed between June 1986 and April 2000 were analyzed. Variables analyzed included donor and recipient age, method and duration of renal replacement therapy, HLA mismatch, cold and warm ischemia times, biopsy-confirmed acute rejection, length of stay in the hospital, serum creatinine at the end of first hospitalization as well as graft and patient survival at one, three, five and ten years. The study patients were divided into two groups: patients with DGF (G1) and those without DGF (G2). DGF occurred in 50 patients (14.1%), and it was seen more frequently in patients transplanted from deceased donors (60% vs. 40%, P

In the Maghreb, organ failure constitutes a major public health problem, especially given the increasing number of patients with chronic renal failure and the high cost of care. In this study, we attempted to seek the recommendations, through a questionnaire, of various officials related to organ transplantation as well as leaders of ethics committees and religious groups in different countries of the Maghreb. The objective was to improve the rate of organ donation and transplantation. We received 36 replies (62%) within the prescribed time limit. In our survey, 83% of the respondents felt that living donor transplantation should be promoted initially, followed gradually by measures to increase cadaver donor transplantation to achieve a target of about 30 transplants with cadaver kidney donors per million inhabitants. To expand the donor pool, 83% of the respondents proposed to expand the family circle to include the spouse and inlaws. To improve the cadaver donation activity, one should improve the organizational aspects to ensure at least 50 renal transplantations per year (100%) and provide material motivation to the treatment team proportional to the activity of organ donation and transplantation. Finally, 93% of the respondents suggested suitable moral motivation of the donors.

Kidney transplantation remains the best treatment option of end-stage renal disease. Kidney donations are of particular interest with the currently increasing practice of living-donor transplantation. The purpose of this study was to analyze retrospectively the general health status as well as renal and cardiovascular consequences of living-related kidney donation. A total of 549 living-related kidney donors had donated their kidneys between 1986 and 2007. We attempted to contact all donors to determine short- and long-term outcome following kidney donation. All kidney donors who responded underwent detailed clinical and biochemical evaluation. The data were compared with age-matched health tables of the Tunisian general population. In all, 284 donors (52%) had a complete evaluation. They included 117 men and 167 women with a mean age of 42 ± 12 years. The major peri-operative complications that occurred in these donors included four cases of pneumothorax, six cases of surgical site infection, one case of phlebitis and one case of pulmonary embolism. None of the study cases died. The median length of hospital stay after donor nephrectomy was 6.5 days (range: 3-28 days). The median follow-up period was eight years. The mean creatinine clearance after donation was 90.4 ± 25 mL/min in men and 81.5 ± 27.2 mL/min in women. Proteinuria was >300 mg/24 h in 17 cases (5.9%). Fifty-eight (20.4%) donors became hypertensive and 19.6% of the men and 37.2% of the women became obese. Diabetes mellitus developed in 24 (8.4%), and was more common in patients who had significant weight gain. Our study suggests that kidney donors have minimal adverse effects on overall health status. Regular follow-up identifies at-risk populations and potentially modifiable factors. Creation of a national registry of living donors and their monitoring are an absolute necessity.

Cette étude a pour objectif d'évaluer la fréquence des facteurs de risque cardiovasculaires au cours du lupus et de préciser leur prévalence. Etude rétrospective portant sur 250 patients ayant un lupus, diagnostiqué selon les critères de l'ACR, hospitalisés entre 1970 et 2013. Les données cliniques et para cliniques ont été recueillies à partir des observations médicales. Il s'agit de 228 femmes et 22 hommes d'âge moyen au diagnostic du lupus de 30, 32 ans (extrêmes: 16-69). La durée moyenne du suivi des patients était de 64 mois (extrêmes: 7 jours- 382mois). Quatre vingt dix patients (36%) étaient hypertendus, 74% avaient une hypercholestérolémie et 22% étaient diabétiques. Pour les autres facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire traditionnels, un âge = 50 ans a été retrouvé dans 40% des cas, le sexe masculin dans 8% des cas, l'obésité dans 76% des cas et le tabagisme dans 11% des cas. Les facteurs de risque surajoutés sont représentés par la présence des anticorps antiphospholipides (47% des cas), la néphropathie lupique (49% des cas), l'insuffisance rénale (42% des cas), la corticothérapie au long cours (74% des cas) et la chronicité de la maladie dans 35% des cas. Les complications cardiovasculaires retrouvées dans notre série étaient: les accidents vasculaires cérébraux (2%) et l'insuffisance coronarienne (5,6%). Devant l'importance du risque cardiovasculaire au cours du lupus, une surveillance rapprochée des facteurs de risque cardio-vasculaires semble primordiale chez les lupiques.

La péritonite infectieuse (PI) est la principale complication de la dialyse péritonéale (DP). L'objectif de notre travail était de déterminer l'écologie bactérienne des PI et d'adapter l'antibiothérapie selon les germes isolés et les résistances observées. Étude rétrospective effectuée chez tous les enfants traités par DP et ayant présenté une PI dans le service de pédiatrie de l'hôpital Charles Nicolle de Tunis (2004-2013). Au total, 61 ont développé 97 PI. L'incidence des PI était de 0,75 épisode/patient-année. La culture du LDP était négative dans 40 cas. Les Gram Positif ont été notés dans 56% des cas avec prédominance du Staphylococcus aureus. Les Gram négatif étaient retrouvés en seconde position (40%) représentés principalement par le Klebsiella pneumoniae et le Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Des souches de Staphylocoque méticilline résistant étaient isolées dans 21,4%. Les bactéries à Gram positif étaient résistantes aux céphalosporines de première génération dans 25% des cas et aucune résistance à la vancomycine n'avait été décelée. Les bactéries à Gram négatif avaient une résistance globale de 38% avec des souches -lactamase à spectre élargi (BLSE). L'antibiothérapie empirique devra couvrir les germes à Gram positif par la vancomycine et les germes à Gram négatif par la ceftazidime.

Microscopic polyangiitis is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis of the small vessels. Its typical clinical manifestations are rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and alveolar hemorrhage. We describe a 30-year-old woman with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Seven years later, she presented with partial loss of motor and sensory function in both lower limbs with sphincter dysfunction. This is the first reported case of epidural inflammation ascribed to microscopic poly-angiitis. Possible mechanisms include auto-immune disease.

La grossesse chez les patientes transplantées rénales est à risque de complications maternelles mais surtout fétales. Le risque de survenue de rejet aigue ou chronique inhérent à la grossesse est faible. L'objectif de notre étude était de rapporter les grossesses survenues chez nos transplantées rénales, leurs aspects évolutifs et une revue de la littérature. L'âge moyen des patientes au moment de la transplantation rénale était de 28,5 ans. Le traitement immunosuppresseur d'entretien a associé une corticothérapie, l'azathioprine et/ou la ciclosporine A. Le délai moyen entre la transplantation rénale et la découverte de la grossesse était de 6,5 ans. L'âge moyen au moment de la conception était de 33,8 ans. Il n'ya pas eu de modifications du traitement immunosuppresseur au cours de la grossesse. La créatininémie moyenne au cours de la grossesse était stable à 104,8 mol/l avec une créatininémie supérieure à 150 mol/l dans 2 cas. Les complications maternelles au cours de la grossesse étaient une hypertension artérielle gravidique dans 3 cas, une protéinurie dans 3 cas, une ascension de la créatininémie au 7ème mois dans 2 cas, une cholestase hépatique gravidique dans 2 cas et une hyperuricémie dans 4 cas. Une prématurité était observée dans 3 cas en rapport avec une rupture prématurée des membranes, des contractions utérines sur utérus cicatriciel et des signes de prééclampsie dans le troisième cas. Après l'accouchement, Une hypertension artérielle était observée chez 3 patientes. On n'a pas noté de rejet aigu chez nos patientes. La créatininémie moyenne était de 195,3 ,mol/l (74- 553 mol/l). Le développement statural et psychomoteur était normal pour 9 enfants. La bonne évolution des grossesses chez les patientes transplantées rénales une planification et un suivi régulier.