Complications of Laparoscopic Gastric Banding in Renal Transplant Recipients: A Case Study

As bariatric surgery becomes more popular, the number of renal transplant recipients who undergo weight loss surgery will continue to grow. This population presents unique challenges because of increased infection risks, tendency to posttransplant weight gain, and inferior tissue-healing properties. We present two cases of renal transplant recipients who experienced the complications of band erosion and band migration after laparoscopic gastric banding, and we discuss the special considerations that apply to this patient population.

Human infection with an avian H9N2 influenza A virus in Hong Kong in 2003

Avian H9N2 influenza A virus has caused repeated human infections in Asia since 1998. Here we report that an H9N2 influenza virus infected a 5-year-old child in Hong Kong in 2003. To identify the possible source of the infection, the human isolate and other H9N2 influenza viruses isolated from Hong Kong poultry markets from January to October 2003 were genetically and antigenically characterized. The findings of this study show that the human H9N2 influenza virus, A/Hong Kong/2108/03, is of purely avian origin and is closely related to some viruses circulating in poultry in the markets of Hong Kong. The continued presence of H9N2 influenza viruses in poultry markets in southern China increases the likelihood of avian-to-human interspecies transmission.

Isolation and characterization of viruses related to the SARS coronavirus from animals in southern China

A novel coronavirus (SCoV) is the etiological agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). SCoV-like viruses were isolated from Himalayan palm civets found in a live-animal market in Guangdong, China. Evidence of virus infection was also detected in other animals (including a raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides) and in humans working at the same market. All the animal isolates retain a 29-nucleotide sequence that is not found in most human isolates. The detection of SCoV-like viruses in small, live wild mammals in a retail market indicates a route of interspecies transmission, although the natural reservoir is not known.

Renal transplantation in multiple myeloma. Case report and review of the literature

A patient with end-stage renal disease and known benign monoclonal gammopathy underwent kidney transplantation at Westchester County Medical Center, Valhalla, NY. After surgery, during routine follow-up, the patient had laboratory evidence of frank multiple myeloma. However, she did not show any clinical signs or symptoms of the disease. Four years later, the patient is asymptomatic and continues to have stable renal function. As a result of our experience, and that of others, we support transplantation as a viable option for patients with multiple myeloma.

Balloon dilation of inferior vena cava stenosis causing hemodialysis graft failure

Inferior vena cava stenosis developed after an unsuccessful renal transplant in a 3-year-old child. Resulting venous outflow obstruction consequently prevented construction of a functional hemodialysis arteriovenous shunt at the femoral area. Transluminal balloon angioplasty of the stenosis completely eliminated the obstruction and allowed creation of the shunt.

Causes of late renal allograft failure in the ciclosporin era

A single center experience of 514 ciclosporin-treated renal allografts which survived longer than 1 year was reviewed in order to analyze the causes of renal allograft loss beyond the 1st year post-transplantation and the contribution of selected parameters to long-term survival. 83 grafts were lost between 1 and 5 years with the most common causes of graft loss being chronic rejection (54%), death (14%), noncompliance (13%) and sepsis (11%). Actuarial 5-year graft survival rates, decaying from 100% at 1 year, of living related and cadaveric grafts were 88.6 and 79.5%, respectively. Parameters with a substantial influence on long-term survival included the quality of early graft function and incidence of acute rejection in the 1st year post-transplantation. A marker for long-term survival (> 5 years) was a significantly lower serum creatinine (177 mumol/l; < or = 2 mg/dl) at 1 year. We conclude that chronic rejection is responsible for the majority of late graft losses in the ciclosporin era as in the earlier azathioprine period.

The impact of ciclosporin in patients with adult polycystic kidney disease following transplantation

In order to evaluate the impact of ciclosporin in patients with adult onset polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) following renal transplantation, we performed a single-center study of all (n = 65) patients with this disorder since 1978, 43 of whom received CSA (PC-CSA) with the remaining 22 treated with azathioprine (PC-AZA). An additional group of 45 age- and time-matched group of non-polycystic CSA-treated patients (nonPC-CSA) were used as a separate control group. Patient and graft survivals at 1 and 5 years were similar in PC-CSA when compared to nonPC-CSA. The commonest causes of death in both groups were cardiovascular related. The incidence of posttransplant hypertension and acute rejection were also similar. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) were, however, more frequent among PC-CSA (11 and 33% pre- and posttransplant respectively) when compared to the nonPC-CSA (2 and 17% pre- and posttransplant respectively). The PC-CSA cohort showed improved 1-year patient and graft survivals when compared to PC-AZA (94 and 70% vs. 72 and 34%) with less rejection episodes (42 vs. 88%) during the first year posttransplant but a higher mean serum creatinine at the end of the first year (2.0 vs. 1.6 mg/dl, 176.6 vs. 141.3 mumol/l). Posttransplant hypertension (67 vs. 70%) and UTIs (33 vs. 33%) were, however, similar in both groups. In summary, renal transplantation in ADPKD in the CSA era is associated with equal patient and graft survivals when compared with nonpolycystic patients of comparable age, but superior results when compared with the earlier azathioprine era.

The 1989 report of the North American Pediatric Renal Transplant Cooperative Study

This report of the North American Pediatric Transplant Cooperative Study summarizes data contributed by 57 participating centers on 754 children with 761 transplants from 1 January 1989 to 16 February 1989. Data collection was initiated in October 1987 and follow-up of all patients is ongoing. Transplant frequency increased with age; 24% of the patients were less than 5 years, with 7% being under 2 years. Common frequent diagnoses were: aplastic/dysplastic kidneys (18%), obstructive uropathy (16%), and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (12%). Preemptive transplant, i.e., transplantation without prior maintenance dialysis, was performed in 21% of the patients. Dialytic modalities pretransplant were peritoneal dialysis in 42% and hemodialysis in 25%. Bilateral nephrectomy was reported in 29%. Live-donor sources accounted for 42% of the transplants. Among cadaveric donors, 41% of the donors were under 11 years old. During the first post-transplant month, maintenance therapy was used similarly for live-donor and cadaver source transplants, with prednisone, cyclosporine, and azathioprine used in 93%, 83%, and 81%, respectively. Triple therapy with prednisone, cyclosporine, and azathioprine was used in 78%, 75%, and 75% of functioning cadaver source transplants at 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months as opposed to 60%, 63%, and 54% for live-donor procedures, with single-drug therapy being uncommon. Rehospitalization during months 1-5 occurred in 62% of the patients, with treatment of rejection and infection being the main causes. Additionally, 9% were hospitalized for hypertension. During months 6-12 and 12-17, 30% and 28% of the patients with functioning grafts were rehospitalized. Times to first rejection differed significantly for cadaver and live-donor transplants. The median time to the first rejection was 36 days for cadaver transplants and 156 days for live-donor transplants. Overall, 57% of treated rejections were completely reversible although the complete reversal rate decreased to 37% for four or more rejections. One hundred and fifty-two graft failures had occurred at the time of writing, with a 1-year graft survival estimate of 0.88 for live-donor and 0.71 for cadaver source transplants. In addition to donor source, recipient age is a significant prognostic factor for graft survival. Among cadaver donors, decreasing donor age is associated with a decreasing probability of graft survival. Thirty-five deaths have occurred; 16 attributed to infection and 19 to other causes. The current 1-year survival estimate is 0.94. There have been 9 malignancies.

The pattern of organ donation in a large urban center

Despite increasing referrals for organ donation in metropolitan New York, procurement has remained essentially unchanged from 1983 through 1988 at 9 to 13 per million population, falling far short of increasing demand. This is not due to delay in the diagnosis of brain death, higher discard rates, or increased medical unsuitability, although exclusion because of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease, or risk thereof, has increased and now accounts for 38% of exclusions. Consent for organ donation remains consistently low among blacks (24%), has increased among Hispanics from 17% in 1984 to 47% in 1988, and remains the highest, but without improvement, among whites. Causes for the observed stagnation and potential corrective factors include poorly focused educational efforts, lack of sensitivity to the grieving family by hospital personnel, physician frustration at the increasingly prominent role of government and its regulations in the practice of medicine, and eradication of competition between local organ procurement agencies.

Strategies for optimizing growth in children with kidney transplants

Children with a well-functioning graft continue to show growth retardation even with low-dose prednisone. We have attempted to utilize the steroid-sparing effect of cyclosporine by discontinuing prednisone after graft stabilization. Since 1983, 53 children have received cyclosporine as primary immunosuppressant for renal graft maintenance. The children, aged 6 months to 18 years, received 60 transplants. One-year and four-year patient survival for cadaveric transplants was 91% and 91%, compared with 96% and 96% for living related transplants. One-year and four-year graft survivals were 82% and 65% for cadaveric transplants (n = 25), compared with 91% and 63% for living related transplants (n = 35). Of 53 patients, 23 were able to discontinue prednisone and be maintained on monodrug cyclosporine therapy, and 21 of the 53 patients had growth hormone measured using L-dopa stimulation. In patients receiving more than 5 mg of prednisone daily, growth hormone levels were lower than normal (less than 10 ng/ml). Of 15 patients who had discontinued prednisone for more than 6 months, 13 showed accelerated growth by improvement in their standard deviation scores. In 4 pubescent children with growth retardation and need for maintenance prednisone, accelerated growth occurred following growth hormone administration for 3-6 months. Based on these data we suggest that (1) discontinuation of even very small doses of prednisone may be essential for normalizing growth hormone response to L-dopa and (2) further studies are needed to exploit the growth stimulation effect of recombinant growth hormone in transplanted children.

Axillary and subclavian vein stenosis: percutaneous angioplasty

Twenty-nine percutaneous balloon dilations of the axillary and subclavian veins were performed in 19 patients. Stenoses occurred in typical locations of anatomic narrowing or at sites of previous trauma. The initial success rate was 76%, with a 1-year patency rate of 35% and a 2-year patency rate of 6%. Angioplasty can be performed on an outpatient basis with a very low rate of significant complications and can be repeated numerous times to keep a vein patent for many years. This procedure is especially valuable in dialysis patients who have limited access sites.

The role of percutaneous angioplasty in the management of chronic hemodialysis fistulas

One hundred forty-one dilatations of stenotic lesions in dialysis access fistulas were performed. The initial success rate was 82%. The one-year patency rate was 45%, with a 2-year patency rate of 24%. Best results were obtained with a discrete stenosis at a graft-to-vein anastomosis. The procedure can be done on an outpatient basis and, although long-term results are poor, in appropriate patients multiple dilatations can be performed to keep a fistula functioning for many years.

A comparative trial of clotrimazole troches and oral nystatin suspension in recipients of renal transplants. Use in prophylaxis of oropharyngeal candidiasis

An open study designed to compare the effectiveness and safety of clotrimazole troches with nystatin oral suspension in the prevention of oropharyngeal candidiasis was conducted. This study was performed as the troche form of clotrimazole was easier to administer and less costly than nystatin oral suspension. Sixty assessable patients were randomized to receive either clotrimazole troches (n = 32) or nystatin oral suspension (n = 28) for a 60-day period after receiving a renal allograft. The two groups were comparable in age, sex, type of transplant, and amount of immunosuppression. Both regimens were 100% effective in preventing the development of thrush in the patients studied. Adverse effects were infrequently seen in either group (one case of mild nausea in the clotrimazole group and three cases in the nystatin group). One patient chose to withdraw from the clotrimazole group, and eight patients withdrew from the nystatin group before completing 60 days of therapy (P = .002). Reasons given for withdrawal were the unpleasant taste of the drugs, or an inability to comply with the protocol. The cost of clotrimazole troches in the prophylactic doses given in this study was approximately one tenth that of nystatin oral suspension. Clotrimazole troches are effective, less expensive, and easier to self-administer than nystatin oral suspension.

In vivo potentiation of cyclosporine immunosuppression by calcium antagonists

We have shown that the addition of verapamil, a calcium channel blocking agent, or trifluoperazine, a phenothiazine, to a regiment using the immunosuppressive agent Cs significantly enhances heterotopic cardiac allograft survival in an ACI to Lewis transplant model. This work verifies previous in vitro work from our laboratory and offers a potential therapeutic strategy to decrease the dose of Cs needed for effective immunosuppression while perhaps lessening its dose-related side effects.

Visualization of c-Ki-ras-2 oncogene sequences in human pancreas, a chemically induced transplantable carcinoma, and carcinomas of pancreas by in situ hybridization

c-Ki-ras-2 sequences were visualized in paraffin-embedded sections from normal fetal and adult human pancreases, a chemically induced transplantable human pancreas carcinoma (PT-1) and three carcinomas of pancreas by in situ hybridization technique. A biotinylated 1-kilobase-pair (kb) EcoRI fragment of pHiHi3 DNA was used as probe and the oncogene was visualized as one or two large grains of reaction products produced by streptavidin-peroxidase complex and diaminobenzidine tetrachloride in more than 9% of normal pancreas nuclei. Its amplification in the chemically induced cell line was detected as one or more large grains in 72% of the nuclei and numerous cytoplasmic grains. The detection of oncogene in normal pancreases and its amplification in PT-1 cells was validated by Southern analysis of EcoRI digests of genomic DNA extracted from normal pancreases and PT-1 cell line. The oncogene was also demonstrated to be equally amplified in two adenocarcinomas and one undifferentiated carcinoma of human pancreas by in situ hybridization.

Adverse impact of hypertension on diabetic recipients of transplanted kidneys

The effect of hypertension on patient and allograft survival in 60 diabetic recipients of transplanted kidneys was assessed by retrospective chart analysis. Hypertension was present in 81% of recipients. Of eight of these patients who became normotensive after transplantation, all had functioning allografts and one died. By contrast, persistent hypertension after transplantation was associated with a higher mortality rate (25 of 54, 48%) and loss of kidney graft function (19 of 54, 35%). At a mean of 21 months after transplantation, living hypertensive diabetic recipients had worse renal function (mean serum creatinine of 3.1 mg/dl) than did nonhypertensive recipients (mean serum creatinine of 1.6 mg/dl). It is concluded that hypertension is a significant risk factor for diabetic patients and kidneys after transplantation.

Stenotic lesions in dialysis-access fistulas: treatment by transluminal angioplasty using high-pressure balloons

Eighty-four balloon dilatations of dialysis-access fistulas have been performed over a five year period. Fifty-two were done with polyethylene balloons and the last 32 with high-pressure Olbert balloons. Initial success was significantly greater with the high-pressure balloons, but long-term patency rates were similar. Use of high-pressure balloons and long inflation times is the method of choice for dilating venostenotic lesions in access fistulas.

The use of captopril to control hypertension in post-transplant renal artery stenosis

Captopril is a new orally active angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor that is useful for the treatment of hypertension. Prior reports have cautioned against its use for the control of blood pressure in patients with transplant renal artery stenosis since it caused a reversible renal failure. We describe a four year old child with radiographically proven transplant renal artery stenosis and severe hypertension that was safely managed with long-term administration of captopril. This case highlights the continued therapeutic role of this drug in the treatment of post-transplant hypertension, provided one carefully monitors the renal function in such patients.

Cefoperazone therapy of complicated urinary tract infections: pharmacokinetics in renal transplant recipients

Cefoperazone was used to treat patients with complicated urinary tract infections due to multiple antibiotic-resistant gram-negative rods who had failed prior courses of intravenous antibiotic therapy. Cure was achieved in 44% (4/9) of cases; 44% of patients improved but relapsed and 11% (1/9) of patients were reinfected. Relapse and reinfection were associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and/or with conditions not normally responsive to medical therapy alone including prostatitis, reflux and chronic indwelling Foley catheters. The pharmacokinetics of cefoperazone were studied in renal transplant recipients. Peak serum concentrations (range 146-241 micrograms/ml) and 2-hour noncumulative urine concentrations (range 161-291 micrograms/ml) exceeded the minimal inhibitory concentrations of the bacteria in all cases. There was no accumulation of cefoperazone despite the presence of impaired renal function.

Posttransplant diabetes in kidney transplant recipients

We retrospectively reviewed the course of 1,000 renal transplants performed in 835 recipients (758 nondiabetics) to assess the incidence of new onset posttransplant diabetes in former nondiabetics. A total of 119 (15.7%) recipients manifested posttransplant diabetes, of whom 64 (53.8%) became hyperglycemic within 3 weeks of transplantation. Actuarial survival analysis indicated a statistically significant selection of blacks; 68 (57.1%) in the group of posttransplant diabetics contrasted with 30.4% of the overall series who were black (p = less than 0.01). Males comprised 73 (61.3%) of posttransplant diabetics, consistent with the male proportion of 66.6% in the entire series. The total dose of methylprednisolone administered before onset of posttransplant diabetes was less than 2.5 g in 86 (69%) and less than 5 g in 110 (92%) patients. Familial diabetes had been noted in 12 (10%) posttransplant diabetics and in 10 (9%) controls. New cases of posttransplant diabetes occurred at a relatively constant annual rate over the decade of study (+/- 15%/year). Patient survival in controls was greater than in posttransplant diabetics, reaching significance (83 vs. 67%) at 2 years. Kidney graft survival in controls and posttransplant diabetics was similar. We conclude that posttransplant diabetes is of greater prevalence in blacks, is not proportional to total dose or duration of intravenous methylprednisolone therapy, and imposes a threat to recipient survival.

Dialysis access fistulas: treatment of stenoses by transluminal angioplasty

Fifty-six balloon dilatations in 51 patients with upper-extremity dialysis access fistulas were performed over a 4-year period. Forty-four venous anastomotic lesions in patients with either internal or graft fistulas were dilated. Three arterial anastomotic lesions and nine distant venous stenoses were treated. Thirty-nine of 56 (70%) dilatations were initially successful. Of the initial successes, 28/35 (80%) were patent at 3 months, 19/27 (70%) at 6 months, 12/22 (55%) at 1 year, 7/14 (50%) at 2 years, and 3/9 (33%) at 3 years. Three complications (5%) were encountered. These included two graft thromboses and one pseudoaneurysm at the dilatation site. The procedure may be performed on an outpatient basis.

Cavitary Legionnaires' pneumonia: nosocomial infection in renal transplant recipients

Cavitation is an unusual manifestation of legionnaires' pneumonia. Mortality rates range from 24 to 58 percent with effective therapy. Antibiotic therapy is not standardized and is largely based on anecdotal reports. This report has described nosocomially acquired cavitary legionnaires' pneumonia in five renal transplant recipients. The diagnosis was made by seroconversion and immunofluorescent staining of lung tissue or transtracheal aspirates. Frequently seen associated symptoms were not present. All patients were successfully treated with 2 to 4 g of erythromycin for at least 4 weeks.

Long-term evaluation of children with nephrotic syndrome and focal segmental glomerular sclerosis

We studied the long-term outcome of a group of children with the nephrotic syndrome who showed the histological lesion of focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS) during the course of their illness. Of 25 such children studied, a complete follow-up ranging from 3 to 19 years was available in 24. Two distinct groups could be identified. Patients in the first group were characterized by steroid resistance (SR) from the onset, whereas those in the second group were initially steroid sensitive (SS), and had the histological lesion of minimal change which, over time, evolved into FSGS. SR patients had a mean age of 7.7 +/- 3.7 years compared to SS patients who were 3.5 +/- 2.5 years old (p less than 0.01). There were more females (11 of 14) in the SR group than in the SS group (3 of 10; p less than 0.02). The incidence of hematuria was higher in the SR patients (9 of 14) than SS patients (2 of 10; p less than 0.05). SR patients also exhibited a greater degree of growth retardation at the end of the follow-up period (9 of 13 compared to 1 of 8 SS patients; p less than 0.02). SR patients reached end-stage renal failure earlier (2.3 +/- 1.3 years) than SS patients (10 +/- 5.8 years; p less than 0.01) after the initial biopsy. Of the 13 kidney transplanted into 9 SR patients, recurrence of FSGS was noted in two allografts. Of the 4 kidneys transplanted into 2 SS patients, recurrence was seen in 1. The overall recurrence rate of FSGS in allografts was 17.6%. Our study suggests that the two varieties of FSGS occurring in nephrotic patients may be distinct nosologic entities rather than a single disease with varied manifestations.

Pseudohypoaldosteronism following kidney transplantation

A 56-year-old woman received a kidney transplant and presented subsequently with evidence of volume contraction, hyponatremia and hyperkalemia. Urinary sodium excretion was inappropriately high for the degree of volume contraction and urinary potassium excretion inappropriately low for the degree of hyperkalemia. Marked elevation of plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone suggested that the renal tubules were unresponsive to mineralocorticoids. The defect was shown to be transient. The mechanisms leading to the defect are discussed.