Syphilis

Author(s):  
Emmanuel A. Burdmann

Syphilis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. The transmission route is usually sexual, but prenatal contamination (congenital syphilis) and transmission by infected blood can also occur. The most frequent presentation of syphilis nephropathy is proteinuria, and the most common form of associated glomerular disease is membranous glomerulopathy. Kidney disease usually reverts with antibiotic therapy. Syphilis must always be considered in proteinuric HIV-infected patients. Renal biopsy is necessary to differentiate between HIV-associated nephropathy and syphilis-induced glomerulopathies, since both kidney diseases have analogous clinical presentations, but syphilis-induced glomerulopathies may recover with syphilis successful treatment.

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s485-s487
Author(s):  
Valerie M Vaughn ◽  
Megan O’Malley ◽  
Scott A. Flanders ◽  
Tejal N. Gandhi ◽  
Lindsay A. Petty ◽  
...  

Background:Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are frequently used to deliver intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy after discharge from the hospital. Infectious disease (ID) physicians are often consulted prior to PICC placement, but whether their approval influences PICC appropriateness and complications is not known. Methods: Using data from the Michigan Hospital Medicine Safety Consortium (HMS) on PICCs placed in critically ill and hospitalized medical patients between January 1, 2015, and July 26, 2019, we examined the association between ID physician approval of PICC insertion for IV antibiotics and device appropriateness and outcomes. Appropriateness was defined according to the Michigan Appropriateness Guide for Intravenous Catheters (MAGIC) as a composite measure of (1) avoiding PICC use for durations ≤5 days; (2) using single-lumen instead of multilumen catheters; and (3) avoiding PICC use in patients with chronic kidney disease (eGFR>45 mL/min). The associations between ID approval of PICC use and odds of PICC-related complications (eg, deep vein thrombosis, central-line–associated bloodstream infection, and catheter occlusion) were also assessed. Multivariable models adjusting for patient severity of illness and hospital-level clustering were fit to both outcomes. Results were expressed as odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% CIs. Results: Data from 36,594 patients who underwent PICC placement across 42 Michigan hospitals were included in the analysis. In total, 21,653 (55%) PICCs were placed for the indication of IV antibiotics; 14,935 (69%) of these had a documented ID consultation prior to placement, whereas 6,718 (31%) did not. Of the 14,935 PICCs with an ID consultation, 10,238 (69%) had ID approval documented prior to device placement (Fig. 1). Compared to no approval, PICCs approved by ID prior to insertion were more likely to be appropriate (OR, 3.51; 95% CI, 3.28–3.77; P < .001). Specifically, approval was associated with higher single-lumen use (OR, 5.13; 95% CI, 4.72–5.58; P < .001), less placement of PICCs with dwell times ≤ 5 days (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.25–0.32; P < .001), and less frequent use in patients with chronic kidney disease (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.73–0.87; P < .001). ID approval of PICCs prior to insertion was associated with a significantly lower odds of PICC-related complications (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.51–0.64) (Table 1). Conclusions: ID approval of PICC use for IV antibiotic therapy in hospitalized patients was associated with greater appropriateness and fewer complications. Policies aimed at ensuring ID review prior to PICC use may help improve patient and device safety.Funding: NoneDisclosures:Valerie M. Vaughn reports contract research for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the NIH, the SHEA, and the APIC. She also reports fees from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Speaker’s Bureau, the CDC, the Pew Research Trust, Sepsis Alliance, and The Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (7) ◽  
pp. 1113-1132
Author(s):  
Susan L Murray ◽  
Neil K Fennelly ◽  
Brendan Doyle ◽  
Sally Ann Lynch ◽  
Peter J Conlon

Abstract For many years renal biopsy has been the gold standard for diagnosis in many forms of kidney disease. It provides rapid, accurate and clinically useful information in most individuals with kidney disease. However, in recent years, other diagnostic modalities have become available that may provide more detailed and specific diagnostic information in addition to, or instead of, renal biopsy. Genomics is one of these modalities. Previously prohibitively expensive and time consuming, it is now increasingly available and practical in a clinical setting for the diagnosis of inherited kidney disease. Inherited kidney disease is a significant cause of kidney disease, in both the adult and paediatric populations. While individual inherited kidney diseases are rare, together they represent a significant burden of disease. Because of the heterogenicity of inherited kidney disease, diagnosis and management can be a challenge and often multiple diagnostic modalities are needed to arrive at a diagnosis. We present updates in genomic medicine for renal disease, how genetic testing integrates with our knowledge of renal histopathology and how the two modalities may interact to enhance patient care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (11) ◽  
pp. 1058-1068
Author(s):  
Takaya Ozeki ◽  
◽  
Shoichi Maruyama ◽  
Michio Nagata ◽  
Akira Shimizu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The Japan Renal Biopsy Registry (J-RBR), the first nation-wide registry of renal biopsies in Japan, was established in 2007, and expanded to include non-biopsy cases as the Japan Kidney Disease Registry (J-KDR) in 2009. The J-RBR/J-KDR is one of the biggest registries for kidney diseases. It has revealed the prevalence and distribution of kidney diseases in Japan. This registry system was meant to be revised after 10 years. Methods In 2017, the Committees of the Japanese Society of Nephrology started a project for the revision of the J-RBR/J-KDR. The revised system was designed in such a way that the diagnoses of the patients could be selected from the Diagnosis Panel, a list covering almost all known kidney diseases, and focusing on their pathogenesis rather than morphological classification. The Diagnosis Panel consists of 22 categories (18 glomerular, 1 tubulointerstitial, 1 congenital/genetical, 1 transplant related, and 1 other) and includes 123 diagnostic names. The items for clinical diagnosis and laboratory data were also renewed, with the addition of the information on immunosuppressive treatment. Results The revised version of J-RBR/J-KDR came into use in January 2018. The number of cases registered under the revised system was 2748 in the first year. The total number of cases has reached to 43,813 since 2007. Conclusion The revised version 2018 J-RBR/J-KDR system attempts to cover all kidney diseases by focusing on their pathogenesis. It will be a new platform for the standardized registration of kidney biopsy cases that provides more systemized data of higher quality.


Nephron ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Andrew S. Levey

Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines address the definition, classification, and management of acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). In practice, some clinical presentations of acute kidney diseases and disorders (AKD) do not meet the criteria for AKI or CKD. In principle, these presentations may be caused by the same diseases that cause AKI or CKD, which could be detected, evaluated, and treated before they evolve to AKI or CKD. In 2020, KDIGO convened a consensus conference to review recent evidence on the epidemiology of AKD and harmonize the definition and classification of AKD to be consistent with KDIGO definitions and classifications of AKI and CKD.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustafa Arici

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has diverse presentations that are frequently subclinical early in its course but symptomatic in more advanced stages. Quite commonly, kidney disease is diagnosed as an incidental finding in blood or urine tests. It is therefore crucial to understand how to assess kidney function tests and know the diverse presentations of kidney diseases in clinical practice. Assessment of kidney function mainly comprises three important steps: measuring glomerular filtration rate (GFR), estimation of urine albumin or protein excretion, and urinalysis/sediment examination. Estimating GFR based on a filtration marker (usually serum creatinine) is now widely accepted as the initial test. Several GFR prediction equations that use serum creatinine or other filtration markers along with certain patient characteristics (such as age, gender, and race) are used to estimate GFR, though several limitations must be considered when interpreting their results. Measurement of proteinuria or albuminuria provides insights into etiology (glomerular versus other parenchymal kidney diseases) and an assessment of risk of progression (ie, greater proteinuria, higher risk of progression). A complete examination of urine should be performed in all kidney patients. Urinalysis/sediment examination provides important information for both differential diagnosis of acute kidney disease (AKD) and CKD and clues for underlying etiologies of kidney disease. Several serologic tests and selected imaging studies complement the assessment of kidney diseases. Renal biopsy is occasionally required to specify the exact diagnosis and direct the treatment. All these investigations should be performed to determine the duration of kidney disease (ie, acute or chronic), designate the specific etiology, assess the risk for progression, and evaluate the presence of complications. Recently, several risk stratification scores or prediction models were developed for early diagnosis or predicting prognosis of acute kidney injury or CKD. These risk models may help to decrease the huge burden of kidney diseases on the individual as well as social level. This review contains 1 figure, 11 tables and 29 references Key Words: albumin-creatinine ratio, albuminuria, biomarkers, eGFR, chronic kidney disease, cystatin C, history, imaging, glomerular filtration rate , physical examination, renal biopsy, serum creatinine, urinalysis


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor W Tobin ◽  
Christina M Yuan ◽  
Robert Nee ◽  
John S Thurlow

ABSTRACT Introduction Renal biopsy is a valuable tool for determining diagnosis, management, and prognosis of intrinsic kidney diseases. Indications for biopsy depend on the clinical presentation. Within the military, renal biopsies also enable medical review boards to make military service fitness assessments after diagnosis of a kidney disease. There are no recent studies evaluating kidney disease diagnoses and clinical outcomes after renal biopsy at military treatment facilities. Additionally, no studies have examined overall healthcare and military career outcomes following renal biopsy. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed all native renal biopsies performed on active duty beneficiaries at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center from 2005 to 2020. We determined the prevalence of those who progressed to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), kidney transplantation, doubling of serum creatinine, nephrotic-range proteinuria (NRP; proteinuria &gt;3.5 g/day), medical evaluation board (MEB) outcomes, and death. The Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application and the Joint Legacy Viewer electronic medical record systems were used to access clinical and laboratory data at the time of biopsy and subsequent outcomes. Death data were collected using the Defense Suicide Prevention Office database. Results There were 169 patients in the cohort, with a mean follow-up of 7.3 years. Mean age was 32 years; 79% male; 48% white; and 37% black. Sixty-seven percentage of them were junior or senior enlisted. The most common indication for renal biopsy was concomitant hematuria and proteinuria (31%). The most common histologic diagnoses were immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (23%), followed by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS; 17%) and lupus nephritis (12%). Eleven percentage of them progressed to ESKD, of whom 87% received a kidney transplant (10% overall). Thirty percentage of the patients progressed to NRP and 5% died. Forty-seven percentage of our patients underwent MEB after diagnosis, and of these, 84% were not retained for further military service. Although IgA nephropathy was the most commonly diagnosed condition, FSGS and lupus nephritis diagnoses were significantly more likely to result in MEB. Conclusions and Implications Immunoglobulin A nephropathy was the most frequent histologic diagnosis in active duty service members undergoing renal biopsy between 2005 and 2020. Despite being largely young and previously healthy, 11% progressed to ESKD and 5% died. A confirmed histologic diagnosis was associated with separation from the service and the end of military careers for 84% of the patients in the cohort who underwent MEB.


2008 ◽  
Vol 149 (15) ◽  
pp. 691-696
Author(s):  
Dániel Bereczki

Chronic kidney diseases and cardiovascular diseases have several common risk factors like hypertension and diabetes. In chronic renal disease stroke risk is several times higher than in the average population. The combination of classical risk factors and those characteristic of chronic kidney disease might explain this increased risk. Among acute cerebrovascular diseases intracerebral hemorrhages are more frequent than in those with normal kidney function. The outcome of stroke is worse in chronic kidney disease. The treatment of stroke (thrombolysis, antiplatelet and anticoagulant treatment, statins, etc.) is an area of clinical research in this patient group. There are no reliable data on the application of thrombolysis in acute stroke in patients with chronic renal disease. Aspirin might be administered. Carefulness, individual considerations and lower doses might be appropriate when using other treatments. The condition of the kidney as well as other associated diseases should be considered during administration of antihypertensive and lipid lowering medications.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-114
Author(s):  
M. Chebaibi ◽  
D. Bousta ◽  
I. Iken ◽  
H. Hoummani ◽  
A. Ech-Choayeby ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to inventory and collect information on plants and mixtures commonly used by herbalists to treat kidney disease in the Fez–Meknes region. We also aimed to compare the results obtained with the results of the other studies and exploit the correlations between different factors. An ethnopharmacological survey was conducted from 289 local herbalists in eight different areas of Fez–Meknes region. Ethnomedicinal uses and ethnobotanical indices were analyzed using quantitative tools, i.e., the total number of citation (TNC), use value (UV), family use value (FUV), fidelity level (FL), and rank order priority (ROP). Statistical analyses such as Pearson correlation and chi-squared test were performed to delineate any correlation. Two hundred and eighty-nine herbalists were questioned. Sixty-nine plant species belonging to 38 families were cited by herbalists for traditional treatment of kidney disease. The highest value of UV was obtained for Herniaria glabra L. (UV = 0.79), and Caryophyllaceae was the family frequently cited (FUV = 0.795). Ammodaucus leucotrichus Coss. & Dur. had the highest value of FL with a value of 100%, and the highest value of ROP was recorded for Herniaria glabra L. (ROP = 91%). Sociodemographic characteristics had a significant impact on the knowledge of toxic plants. Our study has revealed a cultural heritage linked to herbalism and a great wealth of medicinal plants, whose valorization and protection are necessary. Several studies are needed to sensitize herbalists and population on the danger of toxic plants, to extract chemical compounds from the main plants used, and to evaluate their toxicity.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Reham Almasoud ◽  
Alaaeddin Nwilati ◽  
Saeb Bayazid ◽  
Mamoun Shafaamri

We herein report a rare case of mycotic aneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery caused by <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>. A 66-year-old man, a known case of hypertension and aorto-oesophageal fistula with stented aorta in 2010 and 2018, presented to the emergency department multiple times over 2 months with severe postprandial abdominal pain associated with vomiting and fever. On his last presentation, the obtained blood cultures grew ESBL positive <i>K. pneumoniae</i> and a repeated computed tomography (CT) showed a growing aneurysm at the origin of the ileocecal branch of the superior mesenteric artery measuring 17 × 10 mm (the aneurysm was 8 × 7.5 mm in the CT angiography on the previous admission). Extensive workup did not reveal the underlying cause of the mycotic aneurysm, thus we believe the cause to be the infected aortic stent, leading to bacteraemia and vegetations to the mesenteric artery causing the aneurysm. The management plan was placed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of vascular surgeons and infectious disease specialists along with review from a dietician to evaluate the patient’s nutritional status. The patient was started on total parenteral nutrition due to his postprandial pain and on antibiotic therapy according to the infectious disease team’s recommendation. He underwent surgical resection of the mycotic aneurysm, which showed a thrombosed aneurysm in the jejunoileal mesenteric area. The histopathology of the resected tissue demonstrated inflammatory aneurysm of the mesenteric artery. Following the surgery, the patient continued his antibiotic therapy and was discharged on the 13th post-operative day with follow-up appointments in the vascular surgery and infectious disease clinic.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (14) ◽  
pp. 7642
Author(s):  
Zoran V. Popovic ◽  
Felix Bestvater ◽  
Damir Krunic ◽  
Bernhard K. Krämer ◽  
Raoul Bergner ◽  
...  

The CD73 pathway is an important anti-inflammatory mechanism in various disease settings. Observations in mouse models suggested that CD73 might have a protective role in kidney damage; however, no direct evidence of its role in human kidney disease has been described to date. Here, we hypothesized that podocyte injury in human kidney diseases alters CD73 expression that may facilitate the diagnosis of podocytopathies. We assessed the expression of CD73 and one of its functionally important targets, the C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2), in podocytes from kidney biopsies of 39 patients with podocytopathy (including focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), minimal change disease (MCD), membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) and amyloidosis) and a control group. Podocyte CD73 expression in each of the disease groups was significantly increased in comparison to controls (p < 0.001–p < 0.0001). Moreover, there was a marked negative correlation between CD73 and CCR2 expression, as confirmed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence (Pearson r = −0.5068, p = 0.0031; Pearson r = −0.4705, p = 0.0313, respectively), thus suggesting a protective role of CD73 in kidney injury. Finally, we identify CD73 as a novel potential diagnostic marker of human podocytopathies, particularly of MCD that has been notorious for the lack of pathological features recognizable by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry.


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