Marija Topalović-Grković

Lupus nephritis in Croatian children: clinicopathologic findings and outcome

We report clinical and histopathological features, treatment and outcome of 37 Croatian children with biopsy-proven lupus nephritis seen over a 30-year period. The mean age at lupus nephritis presentation was 12.11 ± 2.59 years (range 4.66–17.0). The most frequent histopathological finding was class IV (37.8%), followed by class III (35.1%), class V (16.2 %) and class II (10.8 %) lupus nephritis. Compared with other classes there were more boys among patients with class IV lupus nephritis, and hypertension, nephrotic syndrome and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate at presentation were more common. The median histopathological activity and total scores were highest in class IV lupus nephritis patients. The mean follow-up was 7.14 ± 4.71 years, ranging from 1.1 years to 21.0 years. Kaplan–Meier estimates of patient and kidney (without renal failure) survival rates were 90.5% and 87 % at five years. The renal survival rate of class IV lupus nephritis patients was found significantly lower compared with other histological classes combined. Decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate at the time of diagnosis, class IV lupus nephritis versus other lupus nephritis classes, and high total histological score were the parameters significantly associated with adverse outcome. The therapy with cyclophosphamide showed as superior to the therapy with azathioprine.

Vesicoureteral reflux and urodynamic dysfunction.

Introduction: The concept of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) as a consequence of congenital anomaly of vesicoureteral junction has undergone changes owing to the finding that such children may have lower urinary tract dysfunction, which produces high intravesical pressure and consequently a predisposition for VUR. Patients and Methods: The urodynamics was investigated by pressure-flow-EMG study in 132 children with VUR and 162 refluxing units. Results: Only 33 (25.0%) patients had normal urodynamic finding. The most frequent pathological finding was overactive bladder (OAB), found in 59 (44.7%) children, followed by dysfunctional voiding (DV) in 25 (18.9%) children. Children with VUR grades I and II had a higher percentage of pathological urodynamic findings than children with VUR grades III and IV. OAB was more frequent in children under 5 years of age with unilateral and lower grade VUR. It was found equally in children with and without uroinfections. DV was more frequent in children older than 5 years, with bilateral VUR, higher grade VUR and uroinfections. Conclusions: Children with VUR have a high incidence of urodynamic disorders. The results of the study indicate the possible role of urodynamic dysfunction in the pathogenesis of VUR, especially mild one.

Urine saturation and promoter/inhibitor parameters and ratios in renal stone disease caused by ceftriaxone

During ceftriaxone treatment of subdural empyema caused by Streptococcus intermedius urinary and biliary stones were noticed. Increased levels of urinary calcium excretion were detected during ongoing treatment in comparison with 2 months check-up. There were no significant changes in the promoter/inhibitor urolithiasis parameters, oxalate, citrate, urate, cistine, glycosaminoglycans or their ratios. Urine saturation was calculated using EQUIL 2 computer programme (calcium oxalate, brushite) and it was normal. Probable trigger for the ceftriaxone/calcium hydroxy carbonate phosphate mixture of stones was a critical boost of solubility products caused by ceftriaxone treatment and phospnate urine content with a subsequent large-scale spontaneous precipitation of crystals.