Latent tuberculosis prevalence, diagnosis and treatment in Multiple Sclerosis as a strategy for reducing infection reactivation during immunosuppressant therapy

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease with a risk of reactivation in Multiple Sclerosis patients on immunosuppressant therapy. Diagnosis and treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) prevents the infection.

OBJECTIVE

To diagnose and treat LTBI in Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

METHODS

Cross-sectional study of the prevalence and treatment of LTBI in MS, between February 2021 and June 2023. LTBI was defined as an absence of symptoms, positive PPD or IGRA and normal chest X-ray.

RESULTS

Of the 58 patients with MS, 17 (29.3 %) were diagnosed with LTBI, 15 with PPD > 5 mm and 2 with positive IGRA, 10 (58.8 %) female and 7 (41.1 %) male, mean age of 41.3 (SD ±13.4) years. All patients with LTBI were treated with immunomodulators or immunosuppressants: Fingolimod 5 (29.4 %), Natalizumab 5 (29.4 %), Cladribine 2 (11.8 %), Glatiramer 2 (11.8 %), Ocrelizumab 2 (11.8 %), and Interferon beta 1 (5.9 %). Steroids therapy for relapses, were used in 5/17 (93.8 %) with LTBI and 30/37 (81.1 %) without LTBI. To treat LTBI, 11 (64.7 %) received Isoniazid and 6 (35.3 %) Isoniazid plus Rifapentine. Hepatotoxicity occurred in 3 (17.6 %) with INH. There were no interruptions of ILTB treatment during the study.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of LTBI was found to be high and treatment proved safe.

Long-term efficacy of everolimus as de novo immunosuppressant on the cardiac allograft vasculopathy in heart transplant recipients

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Data on the long-term effects of everolimus (EVL) on the de novo immunosuppression of heart transplant (HT) recipients with progressive cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) and vascular remodeling are lacking. Hence, in this study, we aimed to determine the long-term safety and efficacy of EVL as a de novo immunosuppressant therapy for CAV progression and the clinical outcomes after HT.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 144 HT recipients who survived for at least one year after HT. CAV progression was assessed via serial coronary intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) in recipients who underwent at least two IVUS studies.

RESULTS

A significant attenuation in the percentage of the atheroma volume progression was observed in those who took EVL (1.2%) compared with those who took cyclosporin (CSA; 7.3%; p = 0.005 vs. EVL) or tacrolimus (TAC; 6.6%; p = 0.0052 vs. EVL) at 1 year after HT. This trend persisted for the next 3 and 5 years after HT. Moreover, the remodeling index was greater in the EVL (1.08) group than in the CSA (0.23) or TAC (-0.25) groups 1 year after HT. The results of the Kaplan-Meier analysis over a median follow-up period of 8 years revealed that there was no statistical difference in the primary endpoint between the three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

De novo immunosuppression with EVL is associated with attenuated CAV progression for the first 5 years of follow-up via IVUS. Moreover, EVL has comparable long-term clinical outcomes to those of CSA- or TAC-based protocols.

The analysis of immunosuppressant therapy adherence, depression, anxiety, and stress in kidney transplant recipients in the post-transplantation period

AIM

Our study aimed to analyze the immunosuppressant therapy adherence, anxiety, stress, and depression in kidney transplant recipients in the post-transplantation period.

METHOD

This study was conducted as descriptive and cross-sectional research with the participation of 260 recipients who underwent kidney transplantation and were already discharged from the hospital (n = 260). In the data collection process, we used the Personal Information Form, the Immunosuppressant Therapy Adherence Scale (ITAS), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS)-21. The One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Chi-Squared test, post hoc and Pearson Correlation analysis methods were used in data analysis.

FINDINGS

In our study all participant kidney transplant recipients, 45.4% were age 46-64 years and 81.5% were men. As the recipients' age levels increased, their immunosuppressant therapy adherence levels decreased (p < 0.05). Similarly, kidney recipients with at least 3 adverse events (infection, gastrointestinal problems, edema, blood disorders etc.) had a higher DASS-21 score and a lower ITAS score than those with low side effects. ITAS had a strong negative relationship with DASS-21 (p < 0.05). Recipients' depression, stress, and anxiety scores were, in general, above the medium level.

CONCLUSION

Adherence to the immunosuppressive drug regimen after kidney transplantation and depression, anxiety and stress are in a bidirectional relationship. At the same time, the side effects of immunosuppressive drugs can trigger the development of depression, anxiety and stress. After kidney transplant, recipients are at risk for the development of depression, anxiety, and stress. We recommend early detection of this condition and taking preventive and symptom-reducing interventions.

Association between Posttransplant Opioid Use and Immunosuppressant Therapy Adherence among Renal Transplant Recipients

INTRODUCTION

Little is known about the effect of posttransplant opioid use on adherence to immunosuppressant therapy (IST) among adult renal transplant recipients (RTRs).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between opioid use and IST adherence among adult RTRs during the first year posttransplant.

METHODS

Longitudinal data were analyzed from a retrospective cohort study examining US veterans undergoing renal transplant from October 1, 2007, through March 31, 2015. Data were collected from the US Renal Data System, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Data (Medicare Part D), and Veterans Affairs pharmacy records. Dose of opioid prescriptions was collected and divided based on annual morphine milligram equivalent within a year of transplant. Proportion of days covered of greater than or equal to 80% indicated adherence to tacrolimus. Unadjusted and multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

A study population of 1,229 RTRs included 258 with no opioid use, while 971 opioid users were identified within the first year after transplantation. Compared to RTRs without opioid usage, RTRs with opioid usage had a lower probability of being adherent to tacrolimus in unadjusted logistic regression (odds ratio [OR] (95% confidence interval [CI]): 0.22 [0.07-0.72]) and adjusted logistic regression (OR [95% CI]: 0.11 [0.03-0.44]). These patterns generally remained consistent in unadjusted and adjusted main and sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings indicate RTRs who use prescription opioids during the first year posttransplant, regardless of the dosage/amount, are less likely to be adherent to tacrolimus. Future studies are needed to better understand underlying causes of the association between opioid use and tacrolimus nonadherence.

[Vaccination status in psoriasis patients on immunosuppressant therapy (including biologics)]

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the vaccine coverage of psoriasis patients prior to initiating or changing immunosuppressant therapy, and to verify that the prescribed vaccines have been administered.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a bi-centre, observational, cross-sectional study over 9 months. Psoriasis patients in whom immunosuppressant therapy (comprising cyclosporine, methotrexate, etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab or ustekinumab) was indicated were included. Medical history, previous treatments, vaccination status, viral serology results (for hepatitis B, measles, and chickenpox), and reasons for non-vaccination were assessed via questionnaire.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight patients were included. One third brought their immunization records. Overall, 54.4% had already received immunosuppressant therapy; of these, 9 were up to date for influenza and 3 were up to date for pneumococcus. Only one patient was up to date for all of the recommended vaccinations. A total of 61% of patients were seronegative for hepatitis B. The following vaccines were updated: DTP (in 2 patients), DTP-pertussis (12), influenza (22), pneumococcus (45), and hepatitis B (6). None of the three patients with plans to travel to yellow fever-endemic countries had been vaccinated. In all, 53 (78%) stated that they had already had chickenpox and 43 (63.2%) stated that they had had one of the following three diseases: measles, rubella, or mumps. Fifty-two patients were serologically tested for chickenpox, and 98% were immunized. The most common reasons for not updating the immunization schedule were the absence of any notification or proposal by the patient's doctor and oversight.

CONCLUSION

This study should help raise awareness among patients and health professionals concerning the new vaccination recommendations for a population particularly at risk of infection.

Emergency surgical treatment of complicated acute pancreatitis after kidney transplantation with acute rejection: Case report and literature review

Introduction

Acute pancreatitis is a rare but frequently fatal complication in patients following kidney transplantation. The first case of acute pancreatitis in patients following a kidney transplant was described by Starzl in 1964. The incidence of acute pancreatitis is stated at between 1 and 5%. The mortality rate amongst these patients reaches as high as 50–100%.

Presentation of case

Here we present a case of acute pancreatic abscess in a caucasian female – shortly following a kidney transplant complicated by the development of acute rejection, in which immunosuppressant therapy is a potential etiological agent. Emergency surgical treatment was indicated, which included drainage of the abscesses irrigation of the abdominal cavity. Immunosuppressive medication was considered a possible etiological factor, and as a result administration of tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil was discontinued. This was successful and three months later, diagnostic rebiopsy of the graft was performed without signs of rejection.

Discussion

The etiology of this illness is multifactorial. The clinical manifestation of acute pancreatitis in patients following kidney transplantation is the same as in the remainder of the population. However, in patients following transplantation with long-term immunosuppression, it usually manifests a more rapid development and a more severe, frequently fatal course.

Conclusions

With regard to the patient's comorbidities, early surgical therapy was indicated – drainage and closed lavage and immunosuppressive medication as a suspected tobe ethiological factor was discontinued. This course of treatment led to a complete recovery with preservation of good function of the cadaverous kidney.

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Acute pancreatitis is a rare but frequently fatal complication and challenging therapeutical situation in patients following kidney transplantation.

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Several etiological agents are listed, which also include the effect of immunosuppressive medication.

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Patient care requires reduction of immunosuppressive medication and very close co-operation between the surgeon, nephrologist, intensivist and anaesthetist.

Consider Behcet's disease in young patients with deep vein thrombosis

Behcet's disease is a multi-systemic and chronic inflammatory vasculitis of unknown etiology characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcers, uveitis, arthritis, arterial aneurysms, venous thrombosis, skin lesions and GIS lesions. Although pulmonary artery aneurysms are rare, it is a critical condition due to high risk of rupture. Venous involvement of Behcet's disease primarily occurs in the lower extremities. In the presence of deep vein thrombosis(DVT) and pulmonary embolism, the mainstay of treatment in Behcet's disease is immunosuppressant therapy. Anticoagulants can be used only after initiation of immunosuppressant therapy and suppression of the disease. Anticoagulant therapy alone may lead to fatal hemoptysis. We report the case of a 24 year-old patient who presented to the emergency service with complaints of shortness of breath, general condition disorder and hemoptyhis while using warfarin for DVT and whose thoracic CT angiography showed pulmonary embolism and pulmonary artery aneurysm and diagnosed with Behcet's disease.

Expression of alpha smooth muscle actin in living donor liver transplant recipients

Recently, there have been reports from liver biopsies that showed the progression of liver fibrosis in liver transplant patients after the cessation of immunosuppression. Herein, we focused on activated hepatic stellate cells expressing alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) to understand the correlation between immunosuppressant medication and liver fibrosis. The study enrolled two pediatric patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation and ceased immunosuppressant therapy. The number of α-SMA-positive cells in the specimens obtained by liver biopsy from these two patients showed a three-fold increase compared with the number from four transplanted pediatric patients who were continuing immunosuppressant therapy. In addition, the α-SMA-positive area evaluated using the WinRooF image processing software program continued to increase over time in three adult transplanted patients with liver fibrosis, and the α-SMA-positive area was increasing even during the pre-fibrotic stage in these adult cases, according to a retrospective review. Therefore, α-SMA could be a useful marker for the detection of early stage fibrosis.