Role of Vascular Access as a Risk Factor for Infections in Hemodialysis

Infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in chronic hemodialysis patients. This single center prospective study was carried out to determine the incidence and risk factors for infection in hemodialysis patients and plan appropriate strategies to reduce the risk of infection. A total of 84 consecutive patients who were initiated on hemodialysis over a 2-year period were followed until they either received a kidney transplant or died. In our hospital, as a policy, patients are offered hemodialysis as a bridge therapy to a kidney transplant. The mean duration of follow up was 3 months (range 1-11.8 months). The factors associated with at least one episode of infection were evaluated. Statistical analysis was done by multivariate stepwise logistic regression method. Fifty-one patients had a total of 57 episodes (67.8%) of infection. Of the 44 episodes of acute bacterial infections, vascular access exit site infection was the commonest followed by septicemia (13 patients, 29.5%). Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest bacterial isolate observed in 14 patients. On multivariate analysis, three risk factors for infection were identified: (1) nonarteriovenous fistula (AVF) vascular access for hemodialysis (p = 0.02), (2) increased number of hemodialysis sessions (p = 0.03), and (3) lower serum calcium level (p = 0.02). NonAVF vascular access was found to be the most important risk factor for infection in hemodialysis patients. Creation of an AV fistula, preferably at an early stage, appears beneficial for minimizing the risk of infection even in patients who are on short-term hemodialysis as a bridge therapy towards a kidney transplant.

Integrated pre- and intraoperative imaging in a patient with an arteriovenous malformation located in eloquent cortex

INTRODUCTION

The use of integrated pre- and intraoperative imaging may be useful when resecting brain lesions in close proximity to eloquent areas, such as the primary motor cortex and language cortices.

CASE REPORT

A 32-year-old woman with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) located in the primary motor cortex underwent surgery using functional neuronavigation. Blood-oxygenation-level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD fMRI) and diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) were used for preoperative mapping of primary motor areas and the corticospinal tracts, respectively. The BOLD fMRI activations and DTT tractograms were integrated into the neuronavigation system and visualized intraoperatively throughout the operation. Furthermore, stereoscopic visualizations of the angioarchitecture based on 3D MRI angiograms were used to rehearse the surgical approach to the feeder vessels. Finally, intraoperative ultrasound was used to locate and clip the feeding vessels.

CONCLUSION

The AVM was carefully resected with the aid of the above-mentioned imaging techniques, and the intuitive usefulness of the techniques was further substantiated by the rewarding postoperative outcome.

Surgical resection of high-grade gliomas in eloquent regions guided by blood oxygenation level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion tensor tractography, and intraoperative navigated 3D ultrasound

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study of patients with high-grade gliomas in eloquent brain areas were 1) to assess the postoperative functional outcome, 2) to determine the extent of tumour resection in these difficult locations, 3) to evaluate the practical usefulness of navigated blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor tractography.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

25 consecutive patients were included in the study. The patients' gross functional neurological status was determined using the 7-step modified Rankin scale. The extent of tumour resection was determined using pre- and postoperative T(1)-weighted or T(1)-weighted, contrast-enhanced MRI images.

RESULTS

The average preoperative modified Rankin scale was 1.56+/-0.77, whereas the average postoperative modified Rankin scale was 1.08+/-1.29. There was a significant improvement in mean modified Rankin scale score after surgery. The mean percentage of residual tumour was calculated to 16+/-22% of the original tumour volume (median 8%). Blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor tractography were performed in 23 and 18 patients, respectively. Blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor tractography facilitated identification of probable functional regions in 91% and 94% of the respective investigations.

CONCLUSION

We feel that the combination of blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion tensor tractography, and 3D ultrasound facilitated maximal tumour resection with minimal deficits. The method permits an image-based functional monitoring of the brain during surgery that may aid the preservation of motor and language function.

The 2006 dengue outbreak in Delhi, India

Dengue is a worldwide condition spread throughout the tropical and subtropical zones between 30 degrees north and 40 degrees south. It is endemic in South East Asia, the pacific, East and West Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas. Dengue outbreaks are occurring almost every three yearly in Delhi for the last 12 years. The latest outbreak was in the year 2006, which started late in August, peaked in the month of October and lasted till late November. We describe here the clinical, hematological and biochemical data of 70 patients of dengue fever diagnosed as per WHO criteria in Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi during this outbreak. Hematological parameters were estimated by automated counter and dengue serology was done by capture ELISA technique. The results displayed widespread effect of dengue fever on hematological and biochemical profile. Some of our patients also had atypical dengue manifestations. These results suggest that dengue fever is a major public health problem which can lead to significant morbidity and can even be fatal at times. All efforts should be made to prevent it.

Nephrotic range proteinuria in c-ANCA-positive crescentic glomerulonephritis with linear immune deposits

The three broad groups of rapidly progressing glomerulonephritis are anti glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) disease, renal vasculitis characterized by antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody positivity, and a heterogeneous group with granular immune deposits. Anti-GBM disease with cytoplasmic antineutrophilic antibodies (c-ANCA) positivity (type III disease) is not known to present with nephrotic syndrome. We report here a rare presentation of nephrotic syndrome in Type III disease. Larger studies are warranted to determine whether the amount and/or type of immune deposits decide the range of proteinuria. These studies are also required to elucidate the impact of immune complex deposition on renal disease in c-ANCA-positive glomerulonephritis and to outline its pathogenetic mechanism.

Coexpression of c-erbB 1-4 receptor proteins in human glioblastomas. An immunohistochemical study

Studies support involvement of the erbB/HER (human epidermal growth factor receptor) family, comprising the c-erbB-1/2/3/4 receptor proteins, in the tumourigenesis of human gliomas, raising their potential role in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to these tumours. Reliable detection systems for these molecules in glioma tissue are therefore needed. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded sections from twenty-one human glioblastomas were investigated by standard immunohistochemical procedures for expression of c-erbB-1/2/3/4 receptor proteins using commercial antibodies. All the antibodies used worked satisfactorily on paraffin-sections. For EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) two antibodies reactive against the external and internal domain were used. The first revealed positive immunoreactivity in 13 of 21 tumours (62 %), whereas all were positive with the latter. All glioblastomas were negative for the mutated variant of EGFR (i.e. EGFRvIII). Nine of 21 tumours (43 %) were immunoreactive for c-erbB-2, 19 of 20 tumours (95 %) for c-erbB-3, and 21 of 21 for c-erbB-4. Kaplan-Meier plots as a function of growth factor receptor expression did not show any significant association with survival among the glioblastoma patients. In conclusion, immunohistochemistry is well suited for detection of erb receptor proteins in glioblastoma tissue and demonstrated abundant and simultaneous immunoreactivity of these receptors.

Nemaline rod myopathy: a rare form of myopathy

Nemaline rod myopathy (NM) is a rare form of congenital myopathy characterized by slowly progressive or nonprogressive muscle weakness and pathognomonic rod-like structures within the muscle fibers. To the best of our knowledge, this is first documentation of the clinicopathological features of this rare entity from India. All cases of NM diagnosed in our laboratory were retrieved. Clinical and pathological features were reviewed. During a period of 1.5 years (Jan 2004 to June 2005), we received 750 muscle biopsies for various reasons. Of which, 15 were diagnosed as congenital myopathies and four as nemaline rod myopathies. Thus, NM comprises 0.53% of all muscle diseases and 22.6% of all congenital myopathies. All of them presented in childhood (first five years of life) with generalized hypotonia, feeding problems, repeated respiratory infections and muscle weakness. Both males and females were equally affected. The CPK levels were normal and EMG was myopathic. Microscopic examination revealed minimal changes but characteristic red-colored material was seen on modified Gomori trichrome staining which was immunopositive to alpha actinin. Ultrastructural examination confirmed this material to be nemaline rods. NM, although a rare form of congenital myopathies, should be suspected in children who present with generalized hypotonia, repeated chest infections and slowly progressive muscle weakness. This report highlights the importance of histochemistry and ultrastructural examination in the diagnosis of this entity, in the absence of the availability of methodology for genetic studies.

Multi-minicore disease: a rare form of myopathy

BACKGROUND

Multi-minicore disease is a rare form of myopathy characterized by slowly progressive or nonprogressive muscle weakness and characteristic multiple cores within the muscle fibers. To the best of our knowledge, this is first documentation of the clinicopathological features of this rare entity from India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A ll cases of multi-minicore disease diagnosed in our laboratory were retrieved. Clinical and pathological features were reviewed.

RESULT

During a period of two years (January 2004 to December 2005), we received 985 muscle biopsies for various reasons. Of which, 15 were diagnosed as myopathies and four of which were of multi-minicore disease. Thus, multi-minicore disease comprises 0.40% of all muscle diseases and 26.6% of all myopathies. All were male and presented in early childhood (first decade of life) with generalized hypotonia and muscle weakness. All of them had dysmorphic facies and three had high arched palate. CPK levels were normal and EMG was myopathic except in one patient. Microscopic examination revealed minimal changes with Type I fibers' predominance but characteristic multiple cores in the myofibers. Ultrastructural examination showed both structured and unstructured cores.

CONCLUSIONS

Multi-minicore disease, although a rare form of myopathies, should be suspected in children who present with generalized hypotonia and slowly progressive muscle weakness along with dysmorphic facies.

Spectrum of radiological changes in hypertensive children with reversible posterior leucoencephalopathy

We prospectively studied 19 children with severe hypertension to evaluate the spectrum of radiological changes, severity and reversibility of this entity. All of them were subjected to clinical and biochemical evaluation, followed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Headache was seen in 17 children, 13 had confusion and drowsiness, 12 had nausea and vomiting, 10 patients had visual disturbances, seizure and dyspnoea. Only two had focal neurological deficit (one with right facial palsy and another with right lateral rectus palsy). Of these 19 children, 15 patients had hypertensive retinopathy and four had normal fundi. The positive MRI findings in 17/19 patients were: bilateral leukoencephalopathic changes in occipitoparietal region (9/17), diffuse white/grey matter lesion (3/17) patients, brain stem hyperintensity (2/17) and haemorrhagic lesions (3/17). On MRA, 12/19 patients had attenuation of cerebral arteries of different degree. On follow up, MRI findings resolved in all except three patients. All patients had normal MRA on follow up, except one with persistent minimal attenuation of middle cerebral artery and another had spasm in anterior, middle and posterior cerebral arteries. The intracranial abnormalities in these patients with severe hypertension were reversible in many of the cases after control of blood pressure was achieved. We therefore conclude that severe hypertension may lead to leuoencephalopathy, which had a wide radiological spectrum. A better understanding of this complex syndrome may obviate unnecessary investigations and allow management of associated problems in prompt and appropriate ways.

Chronic hepatitis C virus infection in renal transplant: treatment and outcome

BACKGROUND

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a common cause of liver disease in post-renal transplant period and causes poor patient and graft survival. We analyzed the effects of antiviral therapy using ribavirin monotherapy or ribavirin in combination with interferon (IFN)-alpha in our kidney transplant recipients with chronic hepatitis C.

METHODS

Total of 14 patients received antiviral therapy, all of whom had stable graft function, raised aminotransferases and positive HCV viremia at the start of treatment. Eight patients received ribavirin alone for a period of six months to two yr, in doses of 400-800 mg daily. Five patients received IFN-alpha therapy for a period of two months to 1.5 yr, in doses of 1.5 million units daily or three million units thrice weekly with ribavirin. One patient received pegylated IFN 50 microg once weekly in combination with ribavirin. The response was seen in terms of biochemical and virological improvement at the end of study period.

RESULTS

In patients treated with ribavirin alone (n = 8), mean alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels before and after treatment were significantly different (198.4 +/- 147.6 and 104.8 +/- 66.5 IU/L respectively; p < 0.05). ALT levels normalized completely in three patients at the end of treatment, improved in three patients and deteriorated in two. Only in one of eight patients on ribavirin alone, HCV-RNA became negative after six months of treatment while in the rest (n = 7) HCV-RNA continued to be positive. In subjects on IFN plus ribavirin (n = 6), the mean ALT levels decreased significantly (from 280.2 +/- 114.9 IU/L at baseline to 71 +/- 49 IU/L at end of therapy; p < 0.05). Two patients had sustained remission (33.3%) on IFN plus ribavirin (persistently negative HCV-RNA), two patients relapsed after initial remission and in two patients treatment was stopped after two months because of graft dysfunction. Totally four patients developed graft dysfunction at some time during the course of IFN therapy (66.6%), but it was discontinued in only two (33.3%). All patients regained normal creatinine levels after discontinuation of IFN, although one patient developed chronic allograft nephropathy as shown by kidney biopsy. Four patients in IFN group developed leucopenia. Two patients developed severe anemia one of whom required blood transfusion and one developed severe flu-like syndrome requiring stoppage of therapy.

CONCLUSION

Ribavirin monotherapy in renal transplant recipients with chronic hepatitis C infection results in good biochemical response but is not associated with virological clearance. IFN in combination with ribavirin is effective in two-thirds of patients after a minimum therapy of six months, but it is poorly tolerated, results in graft dysfunction in significant number of patients, and relapse can occur after stopping treatment.

Multiple cranial nerve palsies associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Although isolated cranial nerve palsies are common in patients with diabetes mellitus, multiple simultaneous cranial neuropathies are rare. We report a 48-year-old man, a known case of diabetes mellitus, who presented with facial palsy, foot drop and painful ophthalmoplegia of the left eye. The initial differential diagnosis included diabetic polyneuropathy, septic cavernous sinus thrombosis, mucormycosis and the Tolosa Hunt syndrome. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings were consistent with those of the Tolosa Hunt syndrome. The patient had a remarkable complete resolution of his ophthalmoplegia after four weeks of steroid treatment, with repeat MR imaging showing resolution of the initial changes.

Long-term outcomes of survivors of autologous hematopoietic-cell transplantation for refractory and relapsed Hodgkin’s Disease

6554

Background: With improvements in survival among refractory/relapsed Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (HL) patients after high-dose chemo-radiotherapy and autologous hematopoietic-cell transplant (AHCT), it is important to evaluate risk of late complications in this heavily treated population. Methods: From 1985–1998, 218 refractory/relapsed HL patients were treated on high dose chemo-radiotherapy and AHCT salvage protocols. 153 (70%) surviving ≥2 years after AHCT were analyzed. All received either radiotherapy with initial therapy or total lymphoid irradiation and involved field boost with the conditioning regimen (43%). Information from surviving patients was obtained through a self-administered questionnaire. The NDI was queried to determine vital status and cause of death. Primary endpoint was non-HL mortality, defined as mortality due to cardiac causes, infection or second malignancy (SM). Competing risk methods were used to calculate cause-specific mortality rates and examine its predictors. All events were calculated from 2 years post-AHCT to date of death/last follow-up. Results: Median follow-up time was 11 years. There have been 51 deaths, 32 due to HL and 19 due to other causes. Eleven deaths were due to SM: AML (3), MDS (2), NHL (2), NSCLC (2), gastric and colon cancer. There were 8 non-SM deaths: cardiac toxicity (4), infection, aplastic anemia, suicide, unknown causes (1 each). The 10 and 15-year overall survival (OS) rates are 64% and 57%, respectively. The 10-year cumulative incidence of death from HL and from non-HL causes were 22% and 13.5% ( table ). By univariate analysis, increased risk of death due to SM was associated only with higher age at AHCT (p=0.02). Conclusions: While HL initially accounts for the majority of deaths among patients surviving high-dose therapy, the HL mortality rate plateaus and risk of death from non-HL mortality increases after 5 years. Yet, even at 15-years, SM risk does not exceed that observed in patients treated with standard regimens.

[Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Angiotensin converting enzyme gene polymorphism in Indian children with steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome

CONTEXT

Nephrotic syndrome is one of the commonest renal problem encountered in children. It is difficult to predict at onset, the clinical course in terms of steroid responsiveness or resistance. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism has been studied as a predictor of clinical course in common multi-factorial diseases including focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. There is no study available from our country till date to find out any correlation of the steroid response in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome and ACE gene polymorphism.

AIM

To study distribution and correlation of ACE gene I/D polymorphism in idiopathic steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome.

SETTINGS & DESIGN

Case-control retrospective study.

SUBJECTS & METHODS

We studied ACE gene polymorphism in 90 consecutive patients (82% males, 18% females) with steroid sensitive idiopathic nephrotic syndrome and 300 normal controls (NC).

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test (for cases with insufficient expected cell frequencies).

RESULTS

The mean age of onset was 5.3 +/- 4 years. Steroid sensitive (SS) patients showed II (SS-48%, NC-26%) genotype was more frequent than normal controls (p=0.002). There was no significant difference in genotype frequencies among steroid SS subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

In our study II genotype was more frequent in steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome children in comparison to normal controls. Further functional studies with large number of children are required to investigate the role of II genotype in steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome. Comparison of the genotypic frequency with steroid resistant patients may provide information, which might be useful in clinical practice.