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Background Early reports on the pandemic nature of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) directed the nephrology community to develop infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance. We aimed to make an inventory of strategies that dialysis centres followed to prevent infection with COVID-19 in the first pandemic wave. Methods We analyzed IPC measures taken by hemodialysis centres treating patients presenting with COVID-19 between 1 March 2020 and 31 July 2020 and that completed the European Renal Association COVID-19 Database centre questionnaire. Additionally, we made an inventory of guidelines published in European countries to prevent spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in dialysis centres. Results Data from 73 dialysis units located in and bordering Europe were analyzed. All participating centres implemented IPC measures to mitigate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 during the first pandemic wave. Measures mentioned most often included triage with questions before entering the dialysis ward, measuring body temperature, hand disinfection, masking for all patients and staff, and personal protective equipment for staff members. These measures were also recommended in most of the 14 guidelines that were identified in the inventory of national guidelines and were also scored as being among the most important measures by the authors of this paper. Heterogeneity existed between centres and national guidelines regarding the minimal distance between dialysis chairs and recommendations regarding isolation and cohorting. Conclusions Although variation existed, measures to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 were relatively similar across centres and national guidelines. Further research is needed to assess causal relationships between measures taken and spread of SARS-CoV-2.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is a rare genetic disorder characterised by hepatic oxalate overproduction that leads to progressive kidney disease. As kidney function declines, oxalate elimination is compromised and plasma oxalate (POx) increases, leading to systemic oxalosis. In chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3b–5, elevated POx is directly related to the pathophysiology of oxalosis, and reduction of POx is a relevant clinical trial endpoint. Lumasiran, an RNA interference therapeutic designed to reduce hepatic oxalate production, is indicated for the treatment of PH1 in all age groups. Data from the ILLUMINATE-C trial (EudraCT: 2019–0 013 346-17) demonstrated substantial reductions in POx and acceptable safety in patients with PH1 with impaired kidney function, including patients on haemodialysis (HD), who received lumasiran for 6 months. In Cohorts A (no HD) and B (on HD), respectively, lumasiran led to 33.33% [95% confidence interval (95% CI): −15.16 to 81.82] and 42.43% (95% CI: 34.15–50.71) least-squares (LS) mean reductions in POx from baseline to Month 6 (the primary endpoint). Here, we present METHOD ILLUMINATE-C is an ongoing Phase 3, single-arm study with two cohorts, Cohort A (N = 6; no HD at study start) and Cohort B (N = 15; on HD). The 6-month primary analysis period is followed by an extension period (EP) of up to 54 months. Key inclusion criteria include genetically confirmed PH1, eGFR ≤ 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 and POx ≥ 20 μmol/L. Patients received weight-based dosing of subcutaneous lumasiran. Outcomes of interest for the current analysis included assessments of cardiac oxalosis using echocardiography, medullary nephrocalcinosis by kidney ultrasound, kidney stone events and burdensome symptoms of PH1. RESULTS All 21 patients [43% female; 76% white; median age 8 (range 0–59) years] completed the 6-month primary analysis period. Among patients with abnormal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; abnormal defined as LVEF CONCLUSION Lumasiran treatment resulted in substantial reductions in POx in patients of all ages with PH1 and advanced kidney disease. The observations regarding cardiac measures that reflect systemic oxalosis, together with the kidney stone event and nephrocalcinosis results, are consistent with mobilisation of oxalate from systemic stores. Data on these long-term outcomes will continue to be collected and further evaluated in the EP. These results, along with previous reports from ILLUMINATE-A and ILLUMINATE-B, provide evidence supporting the effectiveness of lumasiran across the full spectrum of patients affected by PH1.

Background and Aims IgG4 disease is a systemic fibroinflammatory disorder that may affect virtually any organ. IgG4-related kidney disease (IgG4-RKD) is a major manifestation, occurring in almost one third of patient. The present study addresses the diagnosis, management and outcome of French patients with IgG4-RKD. Method We conducted a retrospective observational study including patients with renal impairment due to IgG4-RKD from 32 centers. Clinical, biological, and imaging data, as well as management modalities and outcome, were retrieved from medical records. Results 74 patients, 64 males and 10 females, were diagnosed with IgG4-RKD between 1997 and 2019 and were included in the present study. The mean age at diagnosis was 65.2 ± 15-year-old. Renal involvement was present at diagnosis in 63% of cases. Nine (12%) patients had isolated renal involvement, whereas extra-renal involvement included retroperitoneal fibrosis (20%), auto-immune pancreatitis (49%), cholangitis (27%), and lung disease (22%). Renal imaging lesions were observed in 48 (64%) patients, and included renal hypertrophy, patchy lesions and pseudo-tumor solitary renal lesion. PET-CT scan was performed in 47 (65%) patients and showed hypermetabolic renal lesion(s) in 36% of cases. The presence of extra-renal hypermetabolic lesions was observed in 35 cases (74%). 43 %, 25% and 14% of patients presented with AKI, AKI-on-CKD, and isolated CKD, respectively. The mean serum creatinine level at diagnosis was 244 ± 140 µmol/L, corresponding to an eGFR of 69 ± 22ml/min/1.73m. Urinary sediment was most often bland. Mean urine protein-to-creatinine ratio was 1.27 g/g. of note, 26% of patients had more than 1 g/g. 82% of patients underwent a kidney biopsy showing tubulointerstitial involvement in all cases, 12 (16%) had additional glomerular involvement, mainly membranous nephropathy. The major additional laboratory abnormalities included polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia, and increased serum IgG4 increase in 83% and 86%, respectively. Complement levels were decreased in 27 (37%) patients. Two patients were lost for follow-up and 69 patients were treated with corticosteroid therapy in 66 (89%) patients and 10 received Rituximab as first line therapy. The mean duration of follow-up was 28.8 ± 30 months. During follow-up, 22 (30%) patients relapsed, while 45 (62%) patients had persistent CKD at last follow-up, with a mean eGFR of 47±27 ml/min/1.73m. Seven (9%) patients progressed to ESRD and 7 died. A significant response was achieved in 46 (62%) patients. Patients who received steroids higher than 0.5mg/kg/day had lower serum IgG4 levels (1.8 g/l versus 5.7 g/l, p=0.007) at last follow up but there was no significant difference observed in terms of renal function between the two groups (45.5 vs 48.8 ml/min/1.73m, p= 0.72). By univariate analysis, predictors of relapse were low C3 or C4 serum level (p=0.01), ANCA positivity (p= 0.02), renal radiological lesions (p=0.05). At last follow-up the eGFR was worse in patients with a serum creatinine diagnosis greater than 300 µmol/L (30.25 vs 57 ml/min/1.73m p=0.0001) and more progressed to ESRD (p=0.03). Conclusion IgG4-RKD has been recently described and may affect middle-aged males. The disease presents as tubulointerstitial nephritis with glomerular involvement in 16% of cases. Disease response to corticosteroid therapy is favorable but is characterized by a high rate of relapses and a significant risk of persistent CKD in the majority of patient. Risk of ESRD and death in almost 20% of patients.