Fever of unknown origin in a hemodialysis patient with a failed allograft

Hypersensitivity reactions to bicarbonate dialysate containing acetate: a case report with literature review

Although hemodialysis-hypersensitivity reactions have various causes, only a few cases of hypersensitivity to acetate dialysate accompanied by fever have been reported. We present the case of a 69-year-old hemodialysis patient who was admitted due to fever after dialysis. He had undergone online hemodiafiltration using acetate-free citrate-containing dialysate. After admission, we switched to acetate-containing bicarbonate dialysate. He was diagnosed with pneumonia and treated with ceftriaxone. However, fever that occurred post dialysis persisted, displaying a gradual elevation in CRP level and eosinophils (up to 9.7 mg/dL and 3774 cells/μL, respectively). After a series of negative workups for infection and dialysis membrane allergy, we suspected that acetate-containing bicarbonate dialysate to be the cause of the allergic reaction and switched to acetate-free bicarbonate dialysate. Consequently, eosinophil count decreased and the fever abated. The drug-induced lymphocyte stimulation test finding (for acetate dialysate) was positive, and he was diagnosed with acetate dialysate-induced hypersensitivity reactions. The condition was not detected earlier due to the complications associated with pneumonia.

Pulmonary sarcoidosis as a cause of intermittent fever of unknown origin in a hemodialysis patient with renal cell carcinoma: A case report and literature review

Hemodialysis patients have weakened immune systems and can exhibit fever due to various causes. Herein, we describe the case of a 61-year-old hemodialysis patient who exhibited intermittent low-grade fever after a pacemaker had been implanted 2 months before due to sick sinus syndrome. She had a medical history of subcutaneous sarcoidosis and uveitis. Active pulmonary sarcoidosis was diagnosed based on elevated soluble interleukin-2 receptor, elevated lysozyme level, and gallium-67 scintigraphy uptake in hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes. She was also diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma via contrast computed tomography. However, because her C-reactive protein level remained normal, the possibility of neoplastic fever was considered low. After the initiation of prednisolone administration, her fever gradually disappeared. Her serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor and lysozyme level improved in parallel with the enlargement of the mediastinal lymph node and gallium-67 scintigraphy uptake.

Transplant Patients With Failing Renal Allografts

Progress in patient care and immunosuppressive medications has resulted in improved allograft survival in the early posttransplant period; however, substantial graft loss continues in the long term. Therefore, the number of dialysis patients with failed allografts is increasing progressively. These patients have a worse prognosis than naive dialysis patients. Cardiovascular causes are the leading cause of death, followed by infections and malignancies. Delay in return to dialysis, a chronic inflammatory state, infections, and cancer are contributing factors to mortality, whereas type of dialysis modality does not have a significant effect on outcomes. Graft nephrectomy is a risky operation; therefore, it should not be a routine procedure and rather should be performed only when indicated. Overall, most grafts are left in place, whereas graft nephrectomy is performed in atients with graft intolerance syndrome. Management of immunosuppressive drugs after graft failure is controversial. In the case of maintaining immunosuppression, there is increased risk of infections, cardiovascular diseases, and malignancies and also steroid-related adverse effects. On the other hand, discontinuation of immunosuppressants may result in loss of residual allograft function and also acute graft inflammation. Together, immunosuppressive drugs are almost always discontinued in these patients because of their inherent adverse effects. Considering the sequence of cessation, first antiproliferative drugs are stopped, followed by calcineurin inhibitors, and finally steroids. Because many studies show a clear survival benefit, every attempt should be made for a retransplant in patients with failed renal allografts.