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Background Severe Strongyloides stercoralis infection in kidney transplant recipients is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality, although little is known about the risk factors for such infection. Methodology/Principal findings This was a retrospective, multicenter, case–control study in which we assessed the risk factors for and clinical outcomes of severe S. stercoralis infections in kidney transplant recipients in Brazil. We included 138 kidney transplant recipients: 46 cases and 92 controls. Among the cases, the median number of days from transplantation to diagnosis was 117 (interquartile range [IQR], 73.5–965) and the most common clinical findings were gastrointestinal symptoms (in 78.3%) and respiratory symptoms (in 39.1%), whereas fever and eosinophilia were seen in only 32.6% and 43.5%, respectively. The 30-day all-cause mortality among the cases was 28.3% overall and was significantly higher among the cases of infection occurring within the first three months after transplantation (47% vs. 17.2%, P = 0.04). The independent risk factors were receiving a transplant from a deceased donor (odds ratio [OR] = 6.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.05–18.5), a history of bacterial infection (OR = 3.04, 95% CI = 1.2–7.5), and a cumulative corticosteroid dose (OR = 1.005, 95% CI = 1.001–1.009). The independent predictors of mortality were respiratory failure (OR = 98.33, 95% CI = 4.46–2169.77) and concomitant bacteremia (OR = 413.00, 95% CI = 4.83–35316.61). Conclusions/Significance Severe S. stercoralis infections are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality after kidney transplantation. In endemic areas, such infection may occur late after transplantation, although it seems to be more severe when it occurs earlier after transplantation. Specific risk factors and clinical manifestations can identify patients at risk, who should receive prophylaxis or early treatment., Author summary Strongyloides stercoralis is a soil-transmitted helminth found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Although infections are usually mild or asymptomatic, they can be severe, with high mortality rates, in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy, including organ transplant recipients. It is therefore relevant for countries endemic for infectious diseases such as strongyloidiasis to have a special focus on endemic diseases in organ transplant recipients. In this study, we describe the risk factors for and clinical findings of severe infection with S. stercoralis in kidney transplant recipients in Brazil. We retrospectively collected data from the medical charts of kidney transplant recipients diagnosed with severe strongyloidiasis, comparing them with those obtained for a control group of kidney transplant recipients with similar characteristics and no signs of strongyloidiasis. Gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms were common, and 30-day crude mortality was 28.3% among the infected patients. Mortality was significantly higher when infection occurred within the first three months after transplantation, and we identified specific risk factors for S. stercoralis infection. Because there is little available information about severe strongyloidiasis in kidney transplant recipients, we believe that specific risk factors and clinical manifestations could identify patients at risk, who should receive prophylaxis or early treatment.

Introduction Brazil ranks second in the absolute number of transplantations in the world. Despite improvements in graft survival, many patients will progress to graft loss and return to dialysis. Concerns exist regarding adverse clinical outcomes in this population when undergone peritoneal dialysis (PD). Objective To compare the occurrence of mortality, technique failure, and peritonitis among incident patients in PD coming from either Tx or pre-dialysis treatment. Methodology A retrospective study in which 47 adult patients with Tx failure (Tx group) were matched for age, gender, diabetes mellitus (DM), modality and start year of PD, with 1:1 predialysis patient (nTx group). The Fine-Gray competing risk model was used to analyze mortality and technique failure. Results Compared to nTx, the Tx group had a lower body mass index, serum potassium, and albumin concentrations. A higher ferritin level, transferrin saturation and the number of patients with positive serology for viral hepatitis were also observed in the Tx group. In the multivariate analysis, patients of the Tx group had 4.4-times higher risk of death (p = 0.007), with infection as the main cause. Technique failure and peritonitis were similar in both groups. Conclusion Previous Tx is a risk factor for mortality but not for technique failure or peritonitis in incident patients on a PD program.

Background Epicardial fat (EF) has been related to increased cardiovascular risk in chronic kidney disease patients. Kidney transplantation is associated with weight gain, especially within the first 12 months. Recently an association between EF and left ventricular mass (LVM) has been suggested in kidney transplant (KTX) recipients. Objective Evaluate the EF in KTX recipients and its association with cardiovascular parameters in a 12-month follow-up study. Methods EF volume was determined using thoracic computed tomography. The EF progressor group (EF gain) was defined by any increment in EF after 12 months. LVM and LVM index were calculated by echocardiography. Results Ninety-eight incident KTX patients [57% men, 41.2 ± 10.1 years, mean dialysis time prior to transplant of 24 (11-60) months] were analyzed. At baseline and after 12 months, EF was 318.6 (275.2-392.6) ml and 329.5 (271.7-384.8) ml, respectively (p = 0.03). When compared to patients who EF decreased (n = 33), those with EF gain (n = 65) had a greater increase of body mass index, abdominal circumference and blood glucose. These patients also had a lower reduction of LVM index. However in the multivariate analysis, there was no difference in LVM index change between groups (interaction p = 0.565), even after adjustment for hypertension, glucose and coronary calcium score (interaction p = 0.538). Conclusion The impact of EF gain on ventricular mass after KTX could not be definitely confirmed. Further prospective studies in a large sample of KTX patients should be considered to address a possible causal relationship between EF gain and cardiac hypertrophy in this population.

Background Coronary calcification (CAC) is highly prevalent in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) and has been associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Some studies have shown a reduction in CAC progression with statin therapy in the general and chronic kidney disease (CKD) populations. Objectives and Methods The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of statins on CAC progression in incident kidney transplant recipients. Patients were randomly assigned to the statin (n = 61, 10 mg daily) and control group (n = 59). CAC and biochemical analyses were performed at baseline and 12 months. Results At baseline, CAC was observed in 30% and 21% of patients in the statin and control groups, respectively (p = 0.39). The calcium score at baseline and its absolute and relative changes over 12 months of follow up were similar among the groups. In the statin group, total cholesterol (p < 0.001), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.001) and triglycerides (p = 0.005) decreased, and the estimated glomerular function rate increased (p

Introduction The growing number of renal transplant recipients in a sustained immunosuppressive state is a factor that can contribute to increased incidence of sepsis. However, relatively little is known about sepsis in this population. The aim of this single-center study was to evaluate the factors associated with hospital mortality in renal transplant patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with severe sepsis and septic shock. Methods Patient demographics and transplant-related and ICU stay data were retrospectively collected. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to identify the independent risk factors associated with hospital mortality. Results A total of 190 patients were enrolled, 64.2% of whom received kidneys from deceased donors. The mean patient age was 51±13 years (males, 115 [60.5%]), and the median APACHE II was 20 (16–23). The majority of patients developed sepsis late after the renal transplantation (2.1 [0.6–2.3] years). The lung was the most common infection site (59.5%). Upon ICU admission, 16.4% of the patients had ≤1 systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria. Among the patients, 61.5% presented with ≥2 organ failures at admission, and 27.9% experienced septic shock within the first 24 hours of ICU admission. The overall hospital mortality rate was 38.4%. In the multivariate analysis, the independent determinants of hospital mortality were male gender (OR = 5.9; 95% CI, 1.7–19.6; p = 0.004), delta SOFA 24 h (OR = 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2–2.3; p = 0.001), mechanical ventilation (OR = 30; 95% CI, 8.8–102.2; p