Krishna Chaitanya Gunda, Gerry George Mathew, S Balasubramanian, K S Sunil Kumar
{"title":"Clinical implications of serum anti-PLA2R levels and glomerular PLA2R deposits in primary membranous nephropathy.","authors":"Krishna Chaitanya Gunda, Gerry George Mathew, S Balasubramanian, K S Sunil Kumar","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction.</b> The clinical implications of serum anti-PLA2R with glomerular PLA2R deposits in primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) is scarcely reported. Hence the study was designed to demonstrate the prevalence of serum anti-PLA2R levels and PLA2R staining in glomeruli in PMN and the clinical implications of the two parameters. <b>Objectives.</b> Investigate the prevalence of anti PLA2R positivity in PMN. Ascertain correlation between serum anti-PLA2R levels and glomerular staining for PLA2R with clinical and lab parameters in PMN. <b>Patients and Methods.</b> Fifty PMN patients during the period from October 2017 to December 2018 were included. Labs were done and eGFR was calculated as per MDRD 6. Anti-PLA2R titres were done in all patients. Titres more than 20 RU/ml were considered positive. Glomerular staining for PLA2R was graded on fresh frozen tissue by immunofluorescence technique. <b>Results.</b> Anti-PLA2R antibody positivity and glomerular PLA2R deposition was observed in 42% (21/50) and 86% (43/50) patients respectively. 79.3% (23/29) had positive glomerular PLA2R deposition with negative serum anti PLA2R. Positive correlation were observed between serum PLA2R antibody and serum creatinine (p = 0.0001) and urine protein-creatinine ratio levels with tissue PLA2R staining grades (p = 0.04). Negative association was found between serum albumin (p = 0.026) and tissue PLA2R staining grades. <b>Conclusion.</b> Serum anti-PLA2R wasn't a sensitive marker of primary membranous nephropathy in our study group emphasising the need to consider a compendium of serological markers for diagnosis of primary membranous nephropathy and to rely more on glomerular deposition of PLA2R as a better clinical indicator for PMN.</p>","PeriodicalId":12553,"journal":{"name":"Giornale italiano di nefrologia : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di nefrologia","volume":"41 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140858273","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fabrizio Cristiano, Vittore Verratti, Ginevra Di Matteo, Stefania Fulle, Jenny Cristiano, Benito D'Angelo, Ludovico Caravelli, Cosima Posari, Alessandra Schiazza, Alessandra Piano
{"title":"[Steroid-Dependent Nephrotic Syndrome Due to Minimal Change Glomerulonephritis Treated with Rituximab].","authors":"Fabrizio Cristiano, Vittore Verratti, Ginevra Di Matteo, Stefania Fulle, Jenny Cristiano, Benito D'Angelo, Ludovico Caravelli, Cosima Posari, Alessandra Schiazza, Alessandra Piano","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>47-year-old woman suffering from minimal lesion glomerulonephritis previously undergone high-dose steroid therapy and subjected to exacerbations of nephrotic syndrome after therapy discontinuation. It was decided to initiate off-label treatment with Rituximab at a dosage of 375 mg/m2 administred at zero-time, one-month and three months with good therapeutic response and resolution of the clinical laboratory picture. The therapy was well tolerated and had no side effects. This scheme could be an alternative to the conventional therapeutic scheme with steroids or other classes of immunosuppressive drugs, especially in order to avoid problems related to prolonged exposure to steroid therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":12553,"journal":{"name":"Giornale italiano di nefrologia : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di nefrologia","volume":"41 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139996108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The future of peritoneal dialysis.","authors":"Valerio Vizzardi","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12553,"journal":{"name":"Giornale italiano di nefrologia : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di nefrologia","volume":"41 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139996032","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lilio Hu, Paolo Ferdinando Bruno, Sara Signorotti, Marco Ruggeri, Veronica Sgarlato, Fulvia Zanchelli, Lucia Neri, Antonio Giudicissi, Giovanni Mosconi
{"title":"Use of CFTR Modulators for Cystic Fibrosis in a Patient with Liver Transplant and ESRD on Hemodialysis.","authors":"Lilio Hu, Paolo Ferdinando Bruno, Sara Signorotti, Marco Ruggeri, Veronica Sgarlato, Fulvia Zanchelli, Lucia Neri, Antonio Giudicissi, Giovanni Mosconi","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations of the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most recent therapeutic approach to cystic fibrosis aims to correct structural and functional abnormalities of CFTR protein. CFTR modulators including ivacaftor-tezacaftor-elexacaftor are used in patients with F508del mutation, with clinical improvement. To date, there are no experiences of CFTR modulator therapy in cystic fibrosis patients with organ transplantation and severe renal impairment. We report the case of a patient diagnosed with cystic fibrosis with F508del mutation, who underwent liver transplantation at the age of 19 and started hemodialysis at the age of 24 due to end-stage renal disease secondary to membranous glomerulonephritis. She was treated with Kaftrio (ivacaftor-tezacaftor-elexacaftor) with clinical benefits on appetite, improvement of body mass index, and reduction of pulmonary exacerbations. A reduction of dosage to 75% of the standard dose was required due to alterations of the liver function. <b>Conclusions.</b> Use of CFTR modulators in patient with cystic fibrosis, liver transplant and end-stage renal disease could be considered safe but a clinical and laboratoristic monitoring of hepatic function is needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":12553,"journal":{"name":"Giornale italiano di nefrologia : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di nefrologia","volume":"41 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139996033","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marco Taurisano, Andrea Mancini, Filomena D'elia, Giuseppe Gernone, Cosma Cortese
{"title":"[Calcified Fibrin Sheath After Stuck Catheter Removal: Case Report and Literature Review].","authors":"Marco Taurisano, Andrea Mancini, Filomena D'elia, Giuseppe Gernone, Cosma Cortese","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The prevalence of central venous catheters (CVC) in hemodialysis patients is around 20-30%. In this scenario, complications related to the use of the CVC are commonly observed, requiring active management by nephrologists. These include infectious complications as well as those related to CVC malfunction. Among the latter, the formation of a fibrin sheath around the catheter linked to foreign body reaction could cause CVC malfunction in various ways. Even after the removal of the catheter, the fibrin sheath can remain inside the vascular lumen (ghost fibrin sheath) and rarely undergo calcification. We describe the clinical case of a hemodialysis patient who, following the removal of a malfunctioning, stuck CVC, presented a calcified tubular structure in the lumen of the superior vena cava, diagnosed as calcified fibrin sheath (CFS). This rare occurrence, described in the literature in 8 other cases, although rare, is certainly underdiagnosed and can lead to complications such as sepsis resulting from CFS, pulmonary embolisms, and vascular thrombosis. Therapeutic approaches should be considered only in symptomatic cases and involve an invasive surgical approach.</p>","PeriodicalId":12553,"journal":{"name":"Giornale italiano di nefrologia : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di nefrologia","volume":"41 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139996105","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Role of the Opinions of the Nephrologist and Structural Factors in Dialysis Modality Selection. Results of a Peritoneal Dialysis Study Group Questionnaire.","authors":"Loris Neri, Giusto Viglino, Valerio Vizzardi, Silvia Porreca, Claudio Mastropaolo, Giancarlo Marinangeli, Gianfranca Cabiddu","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background.</b> The use of PD depends on economic, structural and organizational factors. The nephrologist's opinion is that peritoneal dialysis is less used than it shold be. In Italy, PD is not carried out in private Centers, but neither is it in around one third of Public Centers. The aim of this study was to investigate the opinions of nephrologists on PD in Public Centers only, thereby nullifying the influence of the economic factors. <b>Materials and Methods.</b> The investigation was carried out by means of an online questionnaire (Qs) via mail, and during meetings and Congresses in 2006-07. The Qs investigated the characteristics of the Centers, the nephrologists interviewed, and opinions on the various aspects of the choice of Renal Replacement Therapy Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) (26 questions). Responses were received from 454 nephrologists in 270 public Centers. Among these, 205 centers (370 Qs) report PD (PD-YES), 36 (42 Qs) do not (PD-NO) and 29 (42 Qs) do not use it but send patients selected for PD to other Centers (PD-TRANSF). <b>Results.</b> The PD-NO and PD-TRANSF Centers are significantly smaller, with greater availability of beds. In the PD-YES Centers the presence of a pre-dialysis pathway, early referral and nurses dedicated solely to PD are associated with a higher use of PD. The nephrologists in the PD-NO Centers rate PD more negatively in terms of both clinical and non-clinical factors. The belief that more than 40% of patients can do either PD or HD differs among the nephrologists in the PD-YES (74.3%), PD-TRANSF (45.2%) and PD-NO (28.6%) Centers. Likewise, the belief that PD can be used as a first treatment in more than 30% of cases differs among the nephrologists in PD-YES (49.2%), PD-TRANSF (33.3%) and PD-NO (14.3%) Centers. <b>Conclusions.</b> The use of PD in Public Centers is conditioned by both structural and organizational factors, and by the opinions of nephrologists on the use and effectiveness of the technique.</p>","PeriodicalId":12553,"journal":{"name":"Giornale italiano di nefrologia : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di nefrologia","volume":"41 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139996113","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gianmarco Borriello, Michelangelo Nigro, Pierluigi D'Angiò, Simona Laurino, Andrea Gigliotti, Davide Viggiano, Giuseppe Gigliotti
{"title":"[Examination of Urinary Sediment in a Patient with Lupus-Like HIV-Associated Immune Complex Kidney Disease (HIVICK) - Case Report and Review of the Literature].","authors":"Gianmarco Borriello, Michelangelo Nigro, Pierluigi D'Angiò, Simona Laurino, Andrea Gigliotti, Davide Viggiano, Giuseppe Gigliotti","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Renal involvement is very common in patients with HIV infection. The phenotype varies from the most frequently \"collapsing\" variant of focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) to \"lupus-like HIV-immune complex kidney disease\" (HIVICK). The latter is characterized by a histological picture that recalls lupus nephropathy. Through a clinical case, we underline the importance of urinary sediment analysis in patients with suspected glomerulopathy. Findings such as the characteristic cells that show the typical appearance of Herpes virus (HSV) infection or LE cells have significantly supported the diagnosis of HIVICK. In light of the present observations, we suggest systematically carrying out a cytological examination of the urinary sediment to confirm diagnostic hypotheses of rare pathologies.</p>","PeriodicalId":12553,"journal":{"name":"Giornale italiano di nefrologia : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di nefrologia","volume":"41 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139996106","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Advanced Care Planning (ACP) and Hemodialysis: a Pilot Project for the Application of Italian Law 219/2017 in Dialysis Units].","authors":"Cristina Tantardini, Clara Pelizzari","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The law 219/2017 is the first Italian law about advanced care planning (ACP). ACP is an important part of the therapeutic relationship between patients and doctors: thanks to ACP patients can think and discuss about end of life decisions, considering clinical aspects, but also psychological, cultural, social and ethical issues. Patients prepare themselves in advance because of the possibility of future cognitive impairment, can identify a surrogate decision maker and make end-life decisions according to their goals and values. End-stage kidney disease (ESRD) is often characterized by important symptoms, psychological suffering and social disadvantage, and patients affected by ESRD often have slow physical and cognitive decline. Despite this, access to palliative care is reduced for these patients as compared to patients affected by other end-stage organ failures. This is the reason why we want to explore the possibility of applying APC to ESRD patients. This pilot study, regarding three patients from the Dialysis Unit of ASST Crema in Italy, has been conducted to verify the applicability of the law 219/2017 in Dialysis Units. It shows that we have to deeply investigate this issue from both sanitary workers' and patients' and families' points of view. We need more studies with a larger number of patients and a longer period of follow-up, but we also need to teach sanitary workers how to approach APC and to teach people what APC is and why it's so important for everyone.</p>","PeriodicalId":12553,"journal":{"name":"Giornale italiano di nefrologia : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di nefrologia","volume":"41 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139996103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Emanuela de Pascale, Gaia Marinelli, Pietro Iulianiello, Rossana Matrisciano, Davide Viggiano, Corrado Pluvio
{"title":"[Apheresis Techniques for the Treatment of Hyperbilirubinemia in the Nephrology Unit].","authors":"Emanuela de Pascale, Gaia Marinelli, Pietro Iulianiello, Rossana Matrisciano, Davide Viggiano, Corrado Pluvio","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Therapeutic apheresis is an important hematological and nephrological method for conditions with altered plasma composition. It is also indicated for the removal of protein-bound molecules, such as bilirubin. Several techniques can remove these compounds, such as the extracorporeal circulation molecular adsorption system (MARS), plasma exchange (PEX), and plasma adsorption and perfusion (PAP). Here we report our experience in the comparison between MARS, PEX and PAP, since current guidelines do not specify which method is the most appropriate and under which circumstances it should be used. The choice of technique cannot be based on the desired plasma bilirubin concentration, since these three techniques show similar results with a similar final outcome (exitus). In fact, PAP, PEX and MARS significantly reduce bilirubin levels, but the degree of reduction is not different among the three. Furthermore, the three techniques do not differ in the rate of cholinesterase change, while less reduction of liver transaminases was found by using PAP. MARS should be preferred in the case of renal involvement (hepatorenal syndrome with hyperbilirubinemia). PAP has the advantage of being simple and inexpensive. PEX remains an option when emergency PAP is not available, but the risk of using blood products (plasma and albumin) must be considered.</p>","PeriodicalId":12553,"journal":{"name":"Giornale italiano di nefrologia : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di nefrologia","volume":"41 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139996104","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Joint Vision of Peritoneal Dialysis in Italy: Census and Italian Registry of Dialysis and Transplantation.","authors":"Maurizio Nordio","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12553,"journal":{"name":"Giornale italiano di nefrologia : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di nefrologia","volume":"41 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139996111","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}