R. Enríquez

Tocilizumab treatment for nephrotic syndrome due to amyloidosis in Behcet's disease.

Renal involvement is an unusual but significant Behcet´s disease (BD) complication and AA amyloidosis appears to be the most common etiology. IL-6 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine with an important role in AA amyloidosis development. Tocilizumab (TCZ) is a humanized anti-IL-6 receptor antibody that has emerged as an effective and specific treatment in AA amyloidosis secondary to chronic inflammatory disorders. We report on a patient diagnosed with BD who developed nephrotic syndrome caused by renal AA amyloidosis with an excellent response to TCZ therapy.

Cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis in chronic hepatitis B infection.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an uncommon cause of cryoglobulinemia. Renal cryoglobulinemia has been rarely reported in the setting of chronic hepatitis B infection. We describe a case of chronic hepatitis B infection with cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis (Gn) and provide information about the treatment and the evolution over a 30-month follow-up. A 41-year-old woman with chronic hepatitis B infection developed nephrotic syndrome and acute renal failure; other investigations revealed type 2 cryoglobulinemia; HBV DNA was detected in the cryoprecipitate. Renal biopsy showed findings of cryoglobulinemic Gn. She was given lamivudine, corticosteroids, plasma exchange, and mycophenolate mofetil. The renal function improved, nephrotic syndrome remitted, and HBV DNA became undetectable; there was no compromise of the liver function.

Acute renal failure and severe thrombocytopenia associated with metamizole

Metamizole or dipyrone is a pyrazolone derivative that belongs to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Its main side-effect is hematological toxicity. Thrombocytopenia due to metamizole is rare and is usually associated with the involvement of the two other blood series. Drug-induced thrombocytopenia is more frequently related to immune mechanisms, and the diagnosis is still largely made by exclusion of other causes and by correlation of timing of thrombocytopenia with the administration of drug. Metamizole may cause acute renal failure due to hemodynamic renal failure/acute tubular necrosis and/or acute tubulointerstitial nephritis. We report a case of acute renal failure and severe thrombocytopenia after metamizole. As far as we know, this combination of adverse effects from this drug has not been reported previously.

Nephrotic Syndrome and AA Amyloidosis Revealing Adult-Onset Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndrome

Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS) is due to gain-of-function mutations in the cryopyrin gene, which determines an overactive inflammatory response. AA amyloidosis is a complication of this syndrome. A 53-year-old man was referred to us because of lower limb edema. Past history: at the age of 20, he complained of arthralgia/arthritis and bilateral hypoacusis. At the age of 35, he presented posterior uveitis, several episodes of conjunctivitis, and progressive loss of visual acuity. Laboratory tests disclosed nephrotic syndrome, and renal biopsy showed AA amyloidosis. He was given anakinra with improvement of arthritis. A genetic study revealed the p.D303N mutation in the cryopyrin gene, and he was diagnosed as having AA amyloidosis due to CAPS. Twenty-one months after starting anakinra, the arthritis has disappeared, although nephrotic-range proteinuria persisted. It is important to be aware of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome because it can cause irreversible complications, and there is effective therapy.

Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis due to Visceral Leishmaniasis in an HIV Patient

Patient: Male, 47 Final Diagnosis: Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis Symptoms: Nephrotic syndrome Medication: — Clinical Procedure: Renal biopsy Specialty: Nephrology Objective: Rare disease Background: Visceral leishmaniasis is an important opportunistic disease in HIV-positive patients. The information available on the effects of such co-infection in the kidney is limited. We describe a patient with HIV/leishmania coinfection who developed nephrotic syndrome and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. As far as we know, only 2 cases of this nephropathy in HIV/leishmania coinfection have been reported. Case Report: A 47-year-old man developed nephrotic syndrome. He had been diagnosed with HIV infection and visceral leishmaniasis and was treated with antiretroviral therapy, antimonial compounds, liposomal amphotericin B and miltefosine, but the leishmania followed a relapsing course. Renal biopsy disclosed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and leishmania amastigotes were seen within glomerular capillary lumens. He was given miltefosine and liposomal amphotericin B but the leishmaniasis persisted. Stage 3B chronic renal disease and nephrotic range proteinuria tend to become stable by 15-month follow-up. Conclusions: Our case illustrated some aspects of leishmaniasis in HIV patients: its relapsing course, the difficulties in therapy, and the renal involvement.

Renal artery occlusion in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

Abstract Several vascular abnormalities have been reported in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Occlusion of the renal artery is uncommon in ADPKD and can be associated with hypertension. We report a 38-year-old woman with ADPKD and severe hypertension, abdominal magnetic resonance angiogram and arteriography revealed left renal artery total occlusion. A revascularization approach was not considered feasible and she was given conservative treatment. We review the literature and make some comments about renal artery occlusion in ADPKD. This association should be kept in mind in cases of ADPKD with severe or resistant hypertension.

Obstructive nephropathy secondary to AA-type amyloidosis in ankylosing spondylitis

AA-type amyloidosis of the genitourinary tract is a rare phenomenon and few cases are described in the literature. We report a 42-year-old man with ankylosing spondylitis, who developed hematuria, bilateral hydronephrosis, and renal failure caused by AA amyloidosis.