Search

Background: The aim of this study is to describe clinical characteristics, outcomes and risk factors for death among patients with HIV-related acute kidney injury (AKI) admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU)., Methods: A retrospective study was conducted with HIV-infected AKI patients admitted to the ICU of an infectious diseases hospital in Fortaleza, Brazil. All the patients with confirmed diagnosis of HIV and AKI admitted from January 2004 to December 2011 were included. A comparison between survivors and non-survivors was performed. Risk factors for death were investigated., Results: Among 256 AKI patients admitted to the ICU in the study period, 73 were identified as HIV-infected, with a predominance of male patients (83.6%), and the mean age was 41.2 ± 10.4 years. Non-survivor patients presented higher APACHE II scores (61.4 ± 19 vs. 38.6 ± 18, p = 0.004), used more vasoconstrictors (70.9 vs. 37.5%, p = 0.02) and needed more mechanical ventilation - MV (81.1 vs. 35.3%, p = 0.001). There were 55 deaths (75.3%), most of them (53.4%) due to septic shock. Independent risk factors for mortality were septic shock (OR = 14.2, 95% CI = 2.0-96.9, p = 0.007) and respiratory insufficiency with need of MV (OR = 27.6, 95% CI = 5.0-153.0, p < 0.001)., Conclusion: Non-survivor HIV-infected patients with AKI admitted to the ICU presented higher severity APACHE II scores, more respiratory damage and hemodynamic impairment than survivors. Septic shock and respiratory insufficiency were independently associated to death.

Background: Sedentary lifestyle is frequent in psychiatric disorders, however the directions of this association and benefits of physical activity are unclear. This is a systematic review about exercise in patients with bipolar disorder., Methods: We performed a systematic literature search of studies published in English (1995 Jan to 2016 Jan) in PubMed, and Cochrane Library combining the medical terms 'physical activity' or 'sedentary' or 'physical exercise' with 'bipolar disorder' or 'mania' or 'bipolar depression'., Results: Thirty-one studies were selected and included 15,587 patients with bipolar disorder. Sedentary lifestyle varied from 40% to 64.9%. Physical activity was associated with less depressive symptoms, better quality of life and increased functioning. Some evidence indicates a relationship between vigorous exercises and mania. Three prospective cohorts were reported; and no prospective randomized controlled trial was identified. Three studies focused on biomarkers in bipolar patients; and one reported the relationship between exercise and sleep in this group. Two assessed physical exercise in adolescents., Limitations: (1) Differences between studies preventing a unified analysis; (2) most studies were cross-sectional; (3) motivation for exercising is a selection bias in most studies; (4) no intervention study assessing only physical exercise; (5) lack of studies comparing exercise across mood states., Conclusion: Generally, exercise was associated with improved health measures including depressive symptoms, functioning and quality of life. Evidence was insufficient to establish a cause-effect relationship between mood and physical exercise. Future research including randomized trials is needed to clarify the role of physical activity in bipolar patients., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate predictive factors for intensive care unit (ICU) admission among patients with severe leptospirosis., Methods: This is a retrospective study with all patients with severe leptospirosis admitted to a tertiary hospital. Patients were divided in ICU and ward groups. Demographical, clinical and laboratory data of the groups were compared as well as acute kidney injury (AKI) severity, according to the RIFLE criteria (R = Risk, I = Injury, F = Failure, L = Loss, E = End-stage kidney disease)., Results: A total of 206 patients were included, 83 admitted to ICU and 123 to ward. Mean age was 36 ± 15.8 years, with 85.9% males. Patients in ICU group were older (38.8 ± 15.7 vs. 34.16 ± 15.9 years, p = 0.037), had a shorter hospital stay (4.13 ± 3.1 vs. 9.5 ± 5.2 days, p = 0.0001), lower levels of hematocrit (29.6 ± 6.4 vs. 33.1 ± 8.6%, p = 0.003), hemoglobin (10.2 ± 2.4 vs. 11.6 ± 1.9 g/dL, p < 0.0001), and platelets (94,427 ± 86,743 vs. 128,896 ± 137,017/mm(3), p = 0.035), as well as higher levels of bilirubin (15.0 ± 12.2 vs. 8.6 ± 9.5 mg/dL, p = 0.001). ICU group also had a higher frequency of severe AKI (RIFLE-"Failure": 73.2% vs. 54.2%, p < 0.0001) and a higher prevalence of dialysis requirement (57.3% vs. 27.6%, p < 0.0001). Mortality was higher among ICU patients (23.5% vs. 5.7%, p < 0.0001). Independent predictors for ICU admission were tachypnea (p = 0.027, OR = 13, CI = 1.3-132), hypotension (p = 0.009, OR = 5.27, CI = 1.5-18) and AKI (p = 0.029, OR = 14, CI = 1.3-150). Ceftriaxone use was a protective factor (p = 0.001, OR = 0.13, CI = 0.04-0.4)., Conclusions: Independent risk factors for ICU admission in leptospirosis include tachypnea, hypotension and AKI. Ceftriaxone was a protective factor for ICU admission, suggesting that its use may prevent severe forms of the disease.

Background: Comorbidities are common in COPD and have been associated with reduced health status, increased health care utilization, all-cause hospitalization, and mortality. There is a scarcity of data on the relationship between comorbidities and functional capacity., Objective: to evaluate the impact of comorbidities on functional capacity of COPD patients., Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted at two teaching hospitals in Fortaleza, Brazil. The functional capacity was assessed by spirometry and the 6-min walking test (6MWT). The health status was assessed by the St. George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) and the COPD assessment test (CAT). The sample was stratified as having "none", "one" and "two or three" comorbidities groups. One-way ANOVA was used to compare means of the three groups and a multiple linear regression was run to predict the impact of comorbidities on 6MWT., Results: Comorbidities (hypertension, coronary disease and diabetes) were found in 54% of the studied patients. The mean age of the 79 patients was 67±8 years and 55% were male. CAT scores increased from "no comorbidity" (17.9±7.7) to "one comorbidity" (22.8±6.8) and "two or three comorbidities" groups (24.2±10.2). A post hoc test showed a significant difference in the "no comorbidity" compared to the "two or three comorbidities" groups (p=0.01). The distance walked by the patients decreased from "no comorbidity" (386.1±83.2m) to "one comorbidity" (350±98m) and "two or three comorbidities" groups (312.6±91m). A post hoc test showed significant difference in the "no comorbidity" compared to "two or three comorbidities" groups (p=0.007). Numbers of comorbidities were independently associated with the 6MWT adjusting for age, severity of COPD and CAT scores., Conclusion: in the studied sample, the presence of comorbidities contributed to impair exercise capacity in patients with COPD., (Copyright © 2014 Sociedade Portuguesa de Pneumologia. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: We present a fatal case of disseminated cryptococcosis in a young man whose diagnosis of HIV infection was made at the time of admission to the emergency room., Case Report: The patient was a twenty-three-year-old man, with a history of daily fever during one month associated with diarrhea, weight loss, headache, vomiting and generalized seizures. He also had a history of diabetes mellitus, alcoholism and drug addiction. Upon physical examination the patient was pale, disoriented and had periods of agitation. White blood cells count was 3,440/mm³ (5% lymphocytes), hemoglobin was 10 g/dL, platelets were 83,000/ mm³. Creatinine was 0.7 mg/dL; urea 19 mg/dL; Na, K, and liver enzymes were within normal limits. Lactic dehydrogenase was 494 IU/L. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed 10 white blood cells/mm³ (58% neutrophils, 31% lymphocytes, 11% monocytes) and 2 red blood cells/mm³. India ink test revealed six Cryptococcus yeasts/mm³. CSF glucose was 122 mg/dL and protein was 36 mg/ dL. VDRL test was negative and anti-HIV test was positive. Intravenous hydration, insulin, phenytoin, fluconazole, pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, folinic acid, and amphotericin B were started. The patient did not improve and became obtunded and hypotensive. He was intubated and put on mechanical respiration. He received vasoactive drugs and died less than 24 hours after admission. A postmortem examination was performed and revealed disseminated cryptococcosis, with severe involvement of the kidneys., Conclusion: Cryptococcosis, as a rule, is a systemic disease that affects mostly immunocompromised individuals, especially patients with AIDS. When diagnosed late in its course it has a very high mortality.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the monocyte chemoatractant protein-1 (MCP-1) as a novel biomarker of renal lesion in sickle cell disease (SCD) and correlate it with oxidative stress., Methods: This is a prospective study with SCD patients followed at a tertiary center in Brazil. Urine samples were collected to dosage of protein, MCP-1, malondialdehyde (MDA) and urinary creatinine. Patients taking hydroxyurea (SSHU) were compared to those not taking the drug (SS). Patients' data were also compared to a control group of 15 healthy blood donors., Results: MCP-1 dosage was increased in SCD patients (Control: 42.12±27.6; SSHU: 168.2±90.1 and SS: 231.4±123.7 p<0.0001). SS patients presented higher levels of MCP-1 in comparison to SSHU group (SSHU: 168.2±90.10 and SS: 231.4±123.7; p=0.023). The same results were observed for MDA (Control: 2:29±1:13; SSHU: 5.60±2.39 and SS: 7.23±2.64, p<0.0001) and NO (control: 2.25±1.9; SSHU: 56.54±9.1 and SS: 39.1±9.02, p<0.0001). A positive correlation was obtained between MCP-1 and MDA (r=0.34, p=0.01); albuminuria (r=0.5, p=0.03); NO (r=0.39, p=0.005)., Conclusion: The outcomes of the study suggest that MCP-1 is a predictive biomarker of renal lesion that can also reflect damage caused by oxidative stress present in SCD., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Leptospirosis is a common disease in tropical countries, and the kidney is one of the main target organs. Membrane proteins of Leptospira are capable of causing endothelial damage in vitro, but there have been no studies in humans evaluating endothelial glycocalyx damage and its correlation with acute kidney injury (AKI). We performed a cohort study in an outbreak of leptospirosis among military personnel. AKI was diagnosed in 14 of 46 (30.4%) patients. Leptospirosis was associated with higher levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1; 483.1 ± 31.7 versus 234.9 ± 24.4 mg/L, P < 0.001) and syndecan-1 (73.7 ± 15.9 versus 21.2 ± 7.9 ng/mL, P < 0.001) compared with exposed controls. Patients with leptospirosis-associated AKI had increased level of syndecan-1 (112.1 ± 45.4 versus 41.5 ± 11.7 ng/mL, P = 0.021) and ICAM-1 (576.9 ± 70.4 versus 434.9 ± 35.3, P = 0.034) compared with leptospirosis patients with no AKI. Association was verified between syndecan-1 and ICAM-1 with serum creatinine elevation and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels. This association remained even after multivariate analysis including other AKI-associated characteristics. Endothelial injury biomarkers are associated with leptospirosis-associated renal damage., (© The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.)

Context and Objective: Glomerular disease registries are increasing all around the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and treatment response among patients with glomerular diseases followed up in a tertiary hospital in Brazil., Design and Setting: Analytical cross-sectional study; tertiary-level public hospital., Methods: This study included patients with glomerular diseases followed up at a tertiary hospital in Fortaleza, northeastern Brazil. Clinical and laboratory data on each patient were registered. The response to specific treatment was evaluated after 3, 6 and 12 months., Results: The study included 168 patients of mean age 37 ± 14 years. The most prevalent glomerular diseases were focal segmental glomerulosclerosis FSGS] (19.6%), minimal change disease MCD] (17.9%), membranous nephropathy MN] (16.7%) and lupus nephritis LN] (11.9%). The main clinical presentations were nephrotic proteinuria (67.3%) and renal insufficiency (17.9%). The mean proteinuria value decreased after the treatment began. Regarding 24-hour proteinuria on admission, there was no significant difference between patients with a good response and those with no response (7,448 ± 5,056 versus 6,448 ± 4,251 mg/24 h, P = 0.29). The glomerular disease with the highest remission rate was MCD (92%). Absence of interstitial fibrosis presented a strong correlation with remission (remission in patients without fibrosis = 83.4% versus 16.3% in those with fibrosis, P = 0.001)., Conclusions: The present study found that the most frequent glomerular disease was FSGS, followed by MCD, MN and LN. The presence of interstitial fibrosis was a predictor of poor therapeutic response.

Leprosy is a chronic disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, highly incapacitating, and with systemic involvement in some cases. Renal involvement has been reported in all forms of the disease, and it is more frequent in multibacillary forms. The clinical presentation is variable and is determined by the host immunologic system reaction to the bacilli. During the course of the disease there are the so called reactional states, in which the immune system reacts against the bacilli, exacerbating the clinical manifestations. Different renal lesions have been described in leprosy, including acute and chronic glomerulonephritis, interstitial nephritis, secondary amyloidosis and pyelonephritis. The exact mechanism that leads to glomerulonephritis in leprosy is not completely understood. Leprosy treatment includes rifampicin, dapsone and clofazimine. Prednisone and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be used to control acute immunological episodes.

Background: Renal involvement in Schistosoma mansoni infection is not well studied. The aim of this study is to investigate the occurrence of renal abnormalities in patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HSS), especially renal tubular disorders., Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with 20 consecutive patients with HSS followed in a medical center in Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil. Urinary acidification and concentration tests were performed using calcium chloride (CaCl2) after a 12-h period of water and food deprivation. The biomarker monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) was quantified in urine. Fractional excretion of sodium (FENa+), transtubular potassium gradient (TTKG) and solute-free water reabsorption (TcH2O) were calculated. The HSS group was compared to a group of 17 healthy volunteers., Results: Patients' mean age and gender were similar to controls. Urinary acidification deficit was found in 45% of HSS patients. Urinary osmolality was significantly lower in HSS patients (588 ± 112 vs. 764 ± 165 mOsm/kg, p = 0,001) after a 12-h period of water deprivation. TcH2O was lower in HSS patients (0.72 ± 0.5 vs. 1.1 ± 0.3, p = 0.04). Urinary concentration deficit was found in 85% of HSS patients. The values of MCP-1 were higher in HSS group than in control group (122 ± 134 vs. 40 ± 28 pg/mg-Cr, p = 0.01) and positively correlated with the values of microalbuminuria and proteinuria., Conclusions: HSS is associated with important kidney dysfunction. The main abnormalities found were urinary concentrating ability and incomplete distal acidification defect, demonstrating the occurrence of tubular dysfunction. There was also an increase in urinary MCP-1, which appears to be a more sensitive marker of renal damage than urinary albumin excretion rate.

Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania transmitted by insects of the genus Lutzomyia sp. or Phlebotomus sp. The main syndromes are cutaneous leishmaniasis, mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) and post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis. This article reviews kidney involvement in cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis, highlighting the aspects of their pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, histopathological findings, outcome and treatment., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Background/objectives: Chronic Chagas heart disease (ChHD) is associated with ventricular tachyarrhythmias and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. Little is known about the effectiveness of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy in this population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ICD in patients with ChHD and to identify predictors of mortality and appropriate ICD shocks., Methods: The cohort study included 65 patients with ChHD and ICD for primary and secondary prevention of sudden death. The Cox model was applied to evaluate the predictors of mortality, and survival was assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis., Results: The median age was 56 ± 11.9 years. The median follow-up was 40 ± 26.8 months. Among the patients 23 (36.5%) had appropriate shocks. A total of 13 (20%) patients died (6.1% of annual mortality rate), and there was no sudden death. In univariate Cox model, functional class IV (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-3.76; P = 0.034), primary prevention (HR = 0.29; 95% CI, 0.09-0.99; P = 0.048), lower education (HR = 2.51; 95% CI, 1.05-5.99; P = 0.038), and ejection fraction <30% (HR = 2.80; 95% CI, 1.09-7.18; P = 0.032) were predictors of worse prognosis (death). In the multivariate Cox model, an ejection fraction <30% and the low education remained predictors of poor prognosis. Predictors of appropriate shocks were not found., Conclusions: The ICD was effective for the prevention of sudden cardiac death in patients with chronic ChHD. An ejection fraction <30% and low education were predictors of poor prognosis., (©2014, The Authors. Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent and potentially fatal complication in infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical aspects of AKI associated with infectious diseases and the factors associated with mortality., Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in patients with AKI who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary infectious diseases hospital from January 2003 to January 2012. The major underlying diseases and clinical and laboratory findings were evaluated., Results: A total of 253 cases were included. The mean age was 46±16 years, and 72% of the patients were male. The main diseases were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (30%), tuberculosis (12%), leptospirosis (11%) and dengue (4%). Dialysis was performed in 70 cases (27.6%). The patients were classified as risk (4.4%), injury (63.6%) or failure (32%). The time between AKI diagnosis and dialysis was 3.6±4.7 days. Oliguria was observed in 112 cases (45.7%). The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores were higher in patients with HIV/AIDS (57±20, p-value=0.01) and dengue (68±11, p-value=0.01). Death occurred in 159 cases (62.8%). Mortality was higher in patients with HIV/AIDS (76.6%, p-value=0.02). A multivariate analysis identified the following independent risk factors for death: oliguria, metabolic acidosis, sepsis, hypovolemia, the need for vasoactive drugs, the need for mechanical ventilation and the APACHE II score., Conclusions: AKI is a common complication in infectious diseases, with high mortality. Mortality was higher in patients with HIV/AIDS, most likely due to the severity of immunosuppression and opportunistic diseases.

Introduction: This study aimed to describe the clinical spectrum of dengue in children and adolescents from a hyperendemic region who were admitted for hospitalization., Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with dengue infection upon admission to a reference center in Fortaleza, Brazil., Results: Of the 84 patients included, 42 underwent confirmatory testing. The main symptoms were fever, abdominal pain and vomiting. The median level of serum aspartate aminotransferase was 143.5±128mg/dL., Conclusions: A peculiar clinical profile was evident among children and adolescents with dengue infection in a reference center in northeast Brazil, including gastrointestinal symptoms and liver involvement.

The aim of this study was to evaluate renal function in patients with psoriasis using immunobiologicals. A prospective study was conducted with 15 patients with confirmed diagnosis of psoriasis who were starting to use immunobiologicals. The mean age was 41 ± 11 years, with 60% females. The mean time of disease was 11 ± 6.6 years. Significant changes in creatinine and creatinine clearance were not observed in the course of the study. There was an increase in transaminases and a decrease in magnesium levels.

Hajdu-Cheney disease is characterized by craniofacial dimorphisms and skeletal changes. Renal disturbs; such as renal cortical cysts, vesico-ureteral reflux and renal failure are rarely related but it is included as a less common feature. The diagnosis is not yet available and the pathogenesis it is related with mutations in the NOTCH gene. The authors report a case of a 26-years-old boy; but with phenotypic characteristics of a pediatric patient. He presented nephrotic syndrome, hypertension, renal cortical cysts, nephrotic range proteinuria and acute renal failure requiring hemodialysis. The renal tissue showed global and segmental glomerulosclerosis and the treatment to this patient it was supporting with hemodialysis. The diagnosis of Hadju-Cheney disease was given during investigation of renal function.

Objective: To examine the factors associated with acute kidney injury and outcome in patients with lung disease., Methods: A prospective study was conducted with 100 consecutive patients admitted to a respiratory intensive care unit in Fortaleza (CE), Brazil. The risk factors for acute kidney injury and mortality were investigated in a group of patients with lung diseases., Results: The mean age of the study population was 57 years, and 50% were male. The incidence of acute kidney injury was higher in patients with PaO2/FiO2<200 mmHg (54% versus 23.7%; p=0.02). Death was observed in 40 cases and the rate of mortality of the acute kidney injury group was higher (62.8% versus 27.6%; p=0.01). The independent factor that was found to be associated with acute kidney injury was PaO2/FiO2<200 mmHg (p=0.01), and the independent risk factors for death were PEEP at admission (OR: 3.6; 95%CI: 1.3-9.6; p=0.009) and need for hemodialysis (OR: 7.9; 95%CI: 2.2-28.3; p=0.001)., Conclusion: There was a higher mortality rate in the acute kidney injury group. Increased mortality was associated with mechanical ventilation, high PEEP, urea and need for dialysis. Further studies must be performed to better establish the relationship between kidney and lung injury and its impact on patient outcome.

Influenza A infection has been described as a major viral cause of infection-induced rhabdomyolysis, but to date, only one reported case was described as having been induced by influenza vaccine. We describe a case of a man who had been using statins and developed rhabdomyolysis the day after influenza A H1N1 vaccination. A 58-year-old man was admitted at the emergency room complaining of impaired gait. The patient reported receiving influenza A H1N1 vaccine 5 days prior to the admission, with symptoms beginning the day after the inoculation. He reported ascending weakness, intense myalgia in the lower back, upper and lower limbs. The admission laboratory tests showed serum creatine phosphokinase: 7600 IU/L, creatinine: 3.0 mg/dL, urea: 185 mg/dL, aspartate aminotransferase: 592 IU/L, alanine aminotransferase: 630 IU/L, potassium: 5.4 mEq/L, lactate dehydrogenase: 2828 IU/L. Despite intravenous fluid therapy, the patient still persisted with oliguria and urinary output of 0.17 ml/kg/h. Hemodialysis was initiated and renal function recovery was observed after two weeks. The patient was hemodynamically stable and asymptomatic at hospital discharge. This is a rare side effect of influenza A H1N1 vaccine. Physicians should advise patients to seek medical care when muscle symptoms are present and consider the possibility of rhabdomyolysis due to vaccination. Trials are required to better define the incidence of this important side effect., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Cardiac disturbances are relatively common and electrocardiographic abnormalities may be found in more than 70% of patients with leptospirosis. We report the case of a 68 year-old male with severe leptospirosis who developed atrial flutter. Effective treatment was done with amiodarone. The patient became clinical stable, with complete recovery. Rigorous clinical observation and continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring may facilitate the identification of rhythm disorders, and thus prevent a probable fatal outcome, in severe cases of leptospirosis.

Objective: To investigate the association between kidney dysfunction and haplotypes in sickle cell disease., Methods: A cohort of 84 sickle cell disease patients, treated in a public health service in Fortaleza, Brazil, was studied. Hemoglobin S haplotypes were obtained from 57 patients as they had recently received blood transfusions with 18 of them agreeing to undertake urinary concentrating ability and acidification tests. The glomerular filtration rate was estimated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study equation. Urinary concentration was evaluated utilizing the urinary and serum osmolality ratio (U/Posm) after 12 hours of water deprivation. Urinary acidification was evaluated by measuring the urinary pH before and after the administration of oral CaCl2. The analysis of the haplotypes of the beta S gene cluster was carried out by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was used for multiple comparisons of means and the Newman-Keuls test was used to identify which groups were significantly different., Results: The mean age of the patients was 33 ± 13 years with 64.2% being females. The glomerular filtration rate was normal in 25 cases (30%) and a rate > 120 mL/min was seen in 52 cases (62%). Urinary concentration deficit was found in all patients who underwent the test and urinary acidification in 22%. There was no significant difference when comparing patients with the Bantu/Bantu and Benin/Benin haplotypes. On comparing patients with the Central African Republic-haplotype however, a higher number had glomerular filtration rates between 60 and 120 mL/min., Conclusion: There was no significant difference among sickle cell disease patients regarding the haplotypes and kidney dysfunction.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The disease remains as an important public health problem in developing countries. Extrapulmonary TB became more common with the advent of infection with human immunodeficiency virus and by the increase in the number of organ transplantation, which also leads to immunosuppression of thousand of persons. Urogenital TB represents 27% of extrapulmonary cases. Renal involvement in TB can be part of a disseminated infection or a localized genitourinary disease. Renal involvement by TB infection is underdiagnosed in most health care centers. Most patients with renal TB have sterile pyuria, which can be accompanied by microscopic hematuria. The diagnosis of urinary tract TB is based on the finding of pyuria in the absence of common bacterial infection. The first choice drugs include isoniazide, rifampicin, pirazinamide, ethambutol, and streptomycin. Awareness of renal TB is urgently needed by physicians for suspecting this disease in patients with unexplained urinary tract abnormalities, mainly in those with any immunosuppression and those coming from TB-endemic areas.

Despite their significant influence on the quality of life, depressive symptoms are not usually included as a clinical parameter in the evaluation of hemodialysis patients. We aimed to identify depressive symptoms and associated risk factors in a large group of individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on chronic hemodialysis. This was a cross-sectional study of 400 consecutive patients. Cases were analyzed according to the presence/absence of depressive symptoms. All individuals were investigated by interview, and all variables were measured concurrently. Depressive symptoms were evaluated by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II ≥16) and sleep quality by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI > 5). Among the 400 patients (59% male), depressive symptoms were present in 77 (19.3%). Depressive symptoms were more common in women and were independently associated with poor sleep quality (P = <0.005), unemployment (P = 0.001), diabetes (P = 0.02), hypoalbuminemia (P = 0.01), low education (P = 0.03), and pruritus (P = 0.04). Women with ESRD on chronic hemodialysis are at increased risk of depression. Furthermore, unemployment and the presence of diabetes, hypoalbuminemia, low education, and pruritus are significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms are also independently associated with poor quality sleep and studies about the effects of sleep hygiene therapy on depressive symptoms are warranted.

The osteoarticular involvement in sickle cell disease has been poorly studied and it is mainly characterized by osteonecrosis, osteomyelitis and arthritis. The most frequent complications and those that require hospital care in sickle cell disease patients are painful vaso-occlusive crises and osteomyelitis. The deoxygenation and polymerization of hemoglobin S, which results in sickling and vascular occlusion, occur more often in tissues with low blood flow, such as in the bones. Bone microcirculation is a common place for erythrocyte sickling, which leads to thrombosis, infarct and necrosis. The pathogenesis of microvascular occlusion, the key event in painful crises, is complex and involves activation of leukocytes, platelets and endothelial cells, as well as hemoglobin S-containing red blood cells. Osteonecrosis is a frequent complication in sickle cell disease, with a painful and debilitating pattern. It is generally insidious and progressive, affecting mainly the hips (femur head) and shoulders (humeral head). Dactylitis, also known as hand-foot syndrome, is an acute vaso-occlusive complication characterized by pain and edema in both hands and feet, frequently with increased local temperature and erythema. Osteomyelitis is the most common form of joint infection in sickle cell disease. The occurrence of connective tissue diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, has rarely been reported in patients with sickle cell disease. The treatment of these complications is mainly symptomatic, and more detailed studies are required to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the complications and propose more adequate and specific therapies.

Context and Objective: Severe heart failure is highly associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Serum creatinine is a poor indicator of renal function and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimation is an accessible method for assessing renal function. The most popular formulas for GFR estimation are the Cockcroft-Gault (CG), the four-variable Simplified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (sMDRD) and the recently introduced CKD-Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI). The objective of the study was to analyze the correlation between these three equations for estimating GFR in patients with severe heart failure., Design and Setting: Cross-sectional observational study at a university reference center., Methods: GFR was estimated in patients with severe heart failure who were awaiting heart transplantation, using the CG, sMDRD and CKD-EPI formulas. These estimates were analyzed using Pearson's correlation and Bland-Altman analysis., Results: This study included 157 patients, of whom 32 (20.3%) were female. Normal serum creatinine concentration was observed in 21.6%. The mean GFR according to CG, sMDRD and CKD-EPI was 70.1 ± 29.5, 70.7 ± 37.5 and 73.7 ± 30.1 ml/min/1.73 m²; P > 0.05. Pearson's coefficient demonstrated good correlations between all the formulas, as did Bland-Altman. However, the patients presented GFR < 60 ml/min more frequently with the sMDRD formula (54.1% versus 40.2% for CG and 43.2% for CKD-EPI; P = 0.02)., Conclusion: Despite the good correlation and agreement between the three methods, the sMDRD formula classified more patients as presenting GFR less than 60 ml/min.

Sickle cell nephropathy is one of the main chronic complications of sickle cell disease (SCD), the most common of the hematological hereditary disorders. Several studies have been performed since the first description of SCD 100 years ago to investigate the mechanisms of kidney involvement in this disease. It has been demonstrated that both glomerular and tubular compartments can be damaged as a direct consequence of SCD, including renal function loss, concentration and acidification deficits, and glomerulopathies. This article highlights the aspects of sickle cell nephropathy pathophysiology and clinical manifestations and describes the most recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.

Objective: To describe the demographic, clinical and laboratory data of patients with urolithiasis in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil., Patients and Methods: Secondary data were collected from the medical records of 197 patients with urolithiasis, during the period 1996-2006. Clinical evaluation and 24-h urine collection for measurements of urinary volume, creatinine, calcium, phosphorous, uric acid, sodium, potassium and magnesium were performed. Density and pH value were determined in a first-voided morning urine sample. Cystinuria was detected by stone and/or crystal analysis., Results: The male/female ratio was 1:1.7. The average age of symptom onset was 35.8 ± 13.3 years, with no significant difference between the genders. The most affected age range was 20-39 years (56.3%). Patients reported renal colic (72.4%), emergency room attendance (69.5%), a single episode of lithiasis (46.7%) or recurrent episodes (53.3%). The right kidney was most often affected in women (44.4%), while men suffered predominantly from bilateral lithiasis (39.7%). The main metabolic changes observed were hypernatriuria (80.7%), hypercalciuria (48.7%), hyperuricosuria (17.3%), and cystinuria in 5 patients (2.5%). The average pH value and density were 5.74 ± 0.59 and 1015.6 ± 7.1, respectively. Urinary volume was low in 43% of the cases., Conclusion: Lithiasis was most prevalent in adults aged 20-39 years, and affected predominantly women in our region. The most frequent metabolic changes, in descending order, were hypernatriuria, followed by hypercalciuria and hyperuricosuria, associated with low fluid intake.

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) account for approximately 15-20% of TB cases in immunocompetent patients. The genitourinary system is the third most commonly affected site. We report the case of a 20-year-old man admitted with fever, chills, dry cough, right flank pain, and oliguria who developed renal function loss. The pyelogram evidenced silence of the right kidney, and the abdominal and pelvic magnetic resonance showed significant dilation of the right pyelocaliceal system and proximal ureter. Biopsies of renal cortex and retroperitoneal lymph nodes showed caseous granuloma consistent with TB. Treatment was started with rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol, and the patient presented a favorable outcome but with non-dialytic chronic kidney disease. This case illustrates a case of chronic kidney disease secondary to TB in a young, otherwise healthy man.

Leptospirosis is the most important zoonosis in the world. Patients are typically young men. Several factors are involved in acute kidney injury (AKI) in leptospirosis, including direct nephrotoxic action of the leptospira, hyperbilirubinemia, rhabdomyolysis and hypovolemia. The major histological findings are acute interstitial nephritis and acute tubular necrosis. Leptospirosis-induced AKI is usually nonoliguric and hypokalemic. Tubular function abnormalities precede a decline in the glomerular filtration rate, which could explain the high frequency of hypokalemia. Antibiotic treatment is efficient in the early and late and/or severe phases. For critically ill leptospirosis patients, the following measures are recommended: early and daily hemodialysis; low volume infusion (due to the risk of pulmonary hemorrhage); and lung-protective strategies. Mortality in leptospirosis-associated AKI is around 22%.

Purpose: To compare chemical to morphological kidney stone composition analysis based on a sample of 50 stones retrieved from patients at a nephrology service., Methods: The chemical analysis was performed with a Bioclin® kit, while a 10-mm magnifying glass (10x; Prolabo, Paris, France) was employed in the morphological analysis. Findings obtained with the two methods were compared and classified as concordant (100% agreement), partly concordant (concordant for major components, discordant for minor components) or discordant (discordant for major components)., Results: In the chemical analysis, the most commonly observed major component was calcium (70%), followed by oxalate (66%), ammonium (56%), urate (28%) and carbonate (24%). In the morphological analysis, the most commonly observed major components were calcium phosphate and magnesium (32% each), followed by calcium oxalate monohydrate (24%), uric acid and urates (20% each), calcium oxalate dihydrate (18%) and cystine (6%). Infectious kidney stones were identified in 34% and 24% of cases by morphological and chemical analysis, respectively. Thirty-eight percent of the samples were classified as concordant, 52% were partly concordant and 10% were discordant., Conclusion: We suggest kidney stones be routinely submitted to both types of analysis for a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in lithogenesis.

Lithium has been widely used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Its renal toxicity includes impaired urinary concentrating ability and natriuresis, renal tubular acidosis, tubulointerstitial nephritis progressing to chronic kidney disease and hypercalcemia. The most common adverse effect is nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, which affects 20-40% of patients within weeks of lithium initiation. Chronic nephropathy correlates with duration of lithium therapy. Early detection of renal dysfunction should be achieved by rigorous monitoring of patients and close collaboration between psychiatrists and nephrologists. Recent experimental and clinical studies begin to clarify the mechanisms by which lithium induces changes in renal function. The aim of this study was to review the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, histopathological aspects and treatment of lithium-induced nephrotoxicity.

Background: Despite being frequently described in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), clinical characteristics and comorbidities in association with restless legs syndrome (RLS) are still to be confirmed., Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate clinical factors associated with RLS in ESRD patients in hemodialysis., Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 400 patients on hemodialysis, evaluating RLS, clinical features and other sleep abnormalities., Results: Out of 400, 86 patients presented RLS (21.5%; mean age 48.8+/-13.8y), being more frequent in females (p<0.005). Forty-eight individuals (12% mean age 50.7+/-13.1y) had moderate/severe RLS, 14 reported symptoms prior to hemodialysis, 13 described family history of RLS, and eight described symptoms as disturbing during dialysis. RLS cases showed lower hemoglobin (p<0.005), poorer quality of sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index >5, p=0.002), higher scores on the Beck Depression Inventory Scale (p<0.005), greater scores on the Charlson Comorbidity Index (p=0.01) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (p=0.001) and higher risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA; Berlin questionnaire, p=0.01). Hypertension was more frequent in cases with moderate/severe RLS (p=0.01) and remained after controlling for the risk of OSA (p=0.02)., Conclusion: In ESRD patients in hemodialysis, RLS is present in 21.5%; 16% report symptoms prior to hemodialysis and a family history of RLS. Symptoms are disturbing during hemodialysis in 9% of cases. RLS is associated with lower hemoglobin, worse sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, depressive symptoms and higher risk of OSA. Hypertension is associated with moderate/severe RLS., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Renal involvement in leprosy includes glomerulonephritis, amyloidosis and tubulointerstitial nephritis. A 58-year-old man was admitted with complaints of lower limb edema and dyspnea. At admission, nitrogen retention, anemia, hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis were observed, requiring hemodialysis. The patient had a history of lepromatous leprosy. A renal biopsy was performed that was compatible with amyloidosis. The patient had a stable outcome, but without renal function recovery and remained on regular hemodialysis. Leprosy should be investigated in every patient with renal function loss, particularly in those with cutaneous lesions or other manifestations suggestive of leprosy.

Pyelonephritis is a pyogenic infection of renal parenchyma that involves the renal pelvis. It is generally of easy diagnosis. The present case report aims to describe two different manifestations of this infection: xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis and emphysematous pyelonephritis, which have poor prognosis and require a more effective treatment. The two cases were women in the fiftieth and sixtieth decade of life, with diabetes mellitus and history of weight loss. The diagnosis of the renal infection was established through computed tomography and the treatment was based in surgical procedure, with favorable outcome.

Background: The elderly population is increasing all over the world. The need of intensive care by the elderly is also increasing. There is a lack of studies investigating the risk factors for death among critically ill elderly patients. This study aims to investigate the factors associated with death in a population of critically ill elderly patients admitted to an intensive care unit in Brazil., Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study including all elderly patients (>60 years) admitted to an intensive care unit in Fortaleza, Brazil, from January to December 2007. A comparison between survivors and nonsurvivors was done and the risk factors for death were investigated through univariate and multivariate analysis., Results: A total of 84 patients were included, with an average age of 73 ± 7.6 years; 59% were female. Mortality was 62.8%. The main cause of death was multiple organ dysfunction (42.3%), followed by septic shock (36.5%) and cardiogenic shock (9.7%). Complications during intensive care unit ICU stay associated with death were respiratory failure (OR=61, p<0.001), acute kidney injury (OR=23, p<0.001), sepsis (OR=12, p<0.001), metabolic acidosis (OR=17, p<0.001), anemia (OR=8.6, p<0.005), coagulation disturbance (OR=5.9, p<0.001) and atrial fibrillation (OR=4.8, p<0.041). Independent risk factors for death were age (OR=1.15, p<0.005), coma (OR=7.51, p<0.003), hypotension (OR=21.75, p=0.003), respiratory failure (OR=9.93, p<0.0001) and acute kidney injury (OR=16.28, p<0.014)., Conclusion: Mortality is high among critically ill elderly patients. Factors associated with death were age, coma, hypotension, respiratory failure and acute kidney injury.

A paraneoplastic syndrome is defined as a group of symptoms that develop when substances released by some cancer cells disrupt the normal function of the surrounding cells and tissue. Paraneoplastic renal syndromes are diseases that indirectly compromise tubular and glomerular function by electrolyte imbalance, hormone-producing tumors or deposition of antigen-antibody complexes in the glomeruli. In order to describe the most common paraneoplastic syndromes, which may compromise the renal function, an extensive review was performed of papers, including case reports, guidelines, meta-analysis and other scientific publications. Renal function can be affected by many paraneoplactic syndromes: hypercalcemia in malignancies, syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone, tumor lysis syndrome, renin-producing tumors and paraneoplastic glomerulopathies. An early diagnosis and effective treatment might improve quality of life and alter prognosis of these patients.

Rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome characterized by muscle injury, most frequently due to muscle crushing and trauma. However, it may also be induced by non-traumatic causes, for example by means of stinging by Africanized bees. We describe two cases of rhabdomyolysis that presented dialytic acute renal failure after several bee stings.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most important problems of public health, worldwide. Anemia is frequent in CKD, affecting approximately 90% of patients. The relationship between anemia and cardiovascular disease is well established and is due to alterations in left ventricular structure and function. Anemia per se can lead to significant cardiac morbidity in the absence of renal disease and is an independent risk factor for cardiac complication in the patient with renal insufficiency. The present review evaluates the inter-relations between anemia, heart failure and renal disease, which were recently included in the so-called cardio-renal anemia syndrome.

Renal TB is difficult to diagnose, because many patients present themselves with lower urinary symptoms which are typical of bacterial cystitis. We report a case of a young woman with renal TB and ESRD. She was admitted with complaints of adynamia, anorexia, fever, weight loss, dysuria and generalized edema for 10 months. At physical examination she was febrile (39 degrees C), and her abdomen had increased volume and was painful at palpation. Laboratorial tests showed serum urea = 220 mg/dL, creatinine = 6.6 mg/dL, hemoglobin = 7.9 g/dL, hematocrit = 24.3%, leukocytes = 33,600/mm(3) and platelets = 664,000/mm(3). Urinalysis showed an acid urine (pH = 5.0), leukocyturia (2+/4+) and mild proteinuria (1+/4+). She was also oliguric (urinary volume < 400 mL/day). Abdominal echography showed thick and contracted bladder walls and heterogeneous liquid collection in the left pelvic region. Two laparotomies were performed, in which abscess in pelvic region was found. Anti-peritoneal tuberculosis treatment with rifampin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide was started. During the follow-up, the urine culture was found to be positive for M. tuberculosis. Six months later the patient had complaints of abdominal pain and dysuria. New laboratorial tests showed serum urea = 187 mg/dL, creatinine = 8.0 mg/dL, potassium = 6.5 mEq/L. Hemodialysis was then started. The CT scan showed signs of chronic nephropathy, dilated calyces and thinning of renal cortex in both kidneys and severe dilation of ureter. The patient developed neurologic symptoms, suggesting tuberculous meningoencephalitis, and died despite of support measures adopted. The patient had ESRD due to secondary uropathy to prolonged tuberculosis of urinary tract that was caused by delayed clinical and laboratorial diagnosis, and probably also due to inadequate antituberculous drugs administration.

Context and Objective: Acute renal failure is a common medical problem, with a high mortality rate. The aim of this work was to investigate the risk factors for death among critically ill patients with acute renal failure., Design and Setting: Retrospective cohort at the intensive care unit of Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio, Fortaleza., Methods: Survivors and non-survivors were compared. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to establish risk factors for death., Results: Acute renal failure occurred in 128 patients (33.5%), with mean age of 49 +/- 20 years (79 males; 62%). Death occurred in 80 (62.5%). The risk factors most frequently associated with death were hypotension, sepsis, nephrotoxic drug use, respiratory insufficiency, liver failure, hypovolemia, septic shock, multiple organ dysfunction, need for vasoactive drugs, need for mechanical ventilation, oliguria, hypoalbuminemia, metabolic acidosis and anemia. There were negative correlations between death and: prothrombin time, hematocrit, hemoglobin, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, arterial pH, arterial bicarbonate and urine volume. From multivariate analysis, the independent risk factors for death were: need for mechanical ventilation (OR = 3.15; p = 0.03), hypotension (OR = 3.48; p = 0.02), liver failure (OR = 5.37; p = 0.02), low arterial bicarbonate (OR = 0.85; p = 0.005), oliguria (OR = 3.36; p = 0.009), vasopressor use (OR = 4.83; p = 0.004) and sepsis (OR = 6.14; p = 0.003)., Conclusions: There are significant risk factors for death among patients with acute renal failure in intensive care units, which need to be identified at an early stage for early treatment.

Background: Renal lesions in leprosy have been extensively described, including amyloidosis, glomerulonephritis, nephrosclerosis, tubulointerstitial nephritis and granulomas., Material and Methods: A retrospective study was designed to detect renal function abnormalities in 461 leprosy patients, without any co-morbidity, seen in a university hospital in northeast Brazil. The laboratory test results concerning renal function were examined in the patients' medical records., Results: The mean age was 39 +/- 18 years and 217 (47%) were male. The mean duration of disease was 21 +/- 38 months. Levels of creatinine above 1.4 mg/dL had been detected in 40 patients (8.6%). The levels of creatinine and urea were higher in lepromatous leprosy patients. Proteinuria, hematuria and hemoglobinuria were significantly more frequent in this presentation of leprosy. Nephrotic levels of proteinuria (>3.5 mg/dL) were found in three (2.1%) of 138 lepromatous leprosy patients. A positive association was found between duration of disease and high levels of creatinine in the general sample and in the lepromatous leprosy patients. There was no association between time of treatment and high levels of creatinine., Conclusion: Renal involvement in leprosy seems to be related to the quantity of bacilli present in the body. It is important to evaluate the renal function in all leprosy patients in order to detect any abnormality and prevent renal failure, which is still a potential cause of death in this disease.

A retrospective study was conducted in nine patients with rabies admitted to a hospital of Fortaleza, Brazil. Autopsy was performed in all cases. The ages ranged from three to 81 years and six were males. They all were bitten by dogs. The time between the accident and the hospital admission ranged from 20 to 120 days (mean 45 +/- 34 days). The time until death ranged from one to nine days (mean 3.3 +/- 5.5 days). The signs and symptoms presented were fever, hydrophobia, aerophobia, agitation, disorientation, dyspnea, sialorrhea, vomiting, oliguria, sore throat, pain and hypoesthesia in the site of the bite, headache, syncope, cough, hematemesis, mydriasis, hematuria, constipation, cervical pain and priapism. In three out of six patients, there was evidence of acute renal failure, defined as serum creatinine > or = 1.4 mg/dL. The post-mortem findings in the kidneys were mild to moderate glomerular congestion and mild to intense peritubular capillary congestion. Acute tubular necrosis was seen in only two cases. This study shows some evidence of renal involvement in rabies. Histopathologic findings are nonspecific, so hemodynamic instability, caused by autonomic dysfunction, hydrophobia and dehydration must be responsible for acute renal failure in rabies.

Context: Rhabdomyolysis is a severe and life-threatening condition in which skeletal muscle is damaged. Acute renal failure due to rhabdomyolysis has been widely described and its main pathophysiological mechanisms are renal vasoconstriction, intraluminal cast formation and direct myoglobin toxicity., Objective: To report on a case of acute renal failure (ARF) induced by rhabdomyolysis due to strenuous exercise and alcohol abuse and to describe the pathophysiology of this type of ARF., Case Report: A 39-year-old man arrived at the hospital emergency service with swollen legs and lower extremity compartment syndrome. He was oliguric and had serum creatinine and urea levels of 8.1 mg/dl and 195 mg/dl, respectively. The diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis was made through clinical and laboratory findings (creatine kinase activity of 26320 IU/l). The initial treatment consisted of fluid replacement and forced diuresis. The specific treatment for compartment syndrome, such as fasciotomy, was avoided in order to prevent infection. Partial recovery of renal function was recorded, after ten hemodialysis sessions. Complete recovery was observed after two months of follow-up.

Erythema induratum of Bazin is a disease that usually affects women, in whom erythematous subcutaneous nodules and plaques appear on the posterior part of the lower extremities, some of which ulcerate. In many countries, tuberculosis is still the main etiologic factor. We report a case of a 40-year-old woman who presented a course of protracted and recurrent episodes over five years of cutaneous lesions on her legs. These tend to involute, but new crops appear at irregular intervals. It was painful, erythematous-violaceous nodules, some of which drained a reddish secretion. The histopathologic features of the lesions demonstrated inflammatory infiltration, with predominance of neutrophils in dermis and hypodermis, necrotizing vasculitis in the arterioles and septal fibrosis. There was no granuloma. The Ziehl-Neelsen stain did not revealed acid-fast bacilli, and the culture of biopsy specimen was negative. The tuberculin skin test was strongly positive (17 mm). The chest X-ray was normal. Few months later she presented adynamia and urinary complaints, such as polacyuria and dysuria. It has been done an urynalysis, which demonstrated acid pH urine, sterile pyuria and microscopic hematuria. It was then raised the diagnostic hypothesis of renal tuberculosis. The urine culture for M. tuberculosis was positive in two out of ten samples. The treatment was instituted with rifampin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide, with complete regression. This case illustrates a clear association between erythema induratum and renal tuberculosis, demonstrated by the remission of the cutaneous lesions after the treatment of the renal tuberculosis.

Background: Although acute renal failure (ARF) is a frequent complication of severe leptospirosis, there are few studies on renal function recovery in the literature. The objective of the present study was to verify how and when renal function recovery occurs after leptospirosis ARF., Patients and Methods: 35 patients with leptospirosis ARF (plasma creatinine [P(creat)] > or =133 micromol/l at hospital admission) were prospectively studied during hospitalization, at discharge and 3 and 6 months after discharge. Creatinine clearance, fractional excretion of sodium and potassium, proteinuria and sodium proximal reabsorption were measured under normal sodium diet. Urinary pH and the ratio urinary to plasma osmolality (U/P(osm)) were measured 18 h after food and water withdrawal. All parameters were also measured in 18 healthy volunteers. Presence of laboratorial alterations usually found in leptospirosis were evaluated in the patients. Patients were divided in 2 groups according to their maximum P(creat) value during hospitalization: group 1 ( P(creat) >442 micromol/l, n = 21), and group 2 (P(creat) < or =442 micromol/l, n = 14)., Results: All patients presented with jaundice, fever and myalgia. Bilirubin and creatine kinase were higher in group 1. Oliguria was observed in 11% of all patients and 49% required dialysis; all these patients were from group 1. All renal parameters were normal at the 6th month except U/P(osm) that remained lower than normal. The pattern of renal function recovery was similar in both groups except for urinary volume., Conclusion: After leptospirosis ARF, renal function recovery is fast and complete after 6 months, except for urinary concentration capacity., (Copyright 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel)

Hyperamylasemia has been reported in more than 65% of patients with severe leptospirosis, and the true diagnosis of acute pancreatitis is complicated by the fact that renal failure can increase serum amylase levels. Based on these data we retrospectively analyzed the clinical and histopathological features of pancreas involvement in 13 cases of fatal human leptospirosis. The most common signs and symptoms presented at admission were fever, chills, vomiting, myalgia, dehydratation, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Trombocytopenia was evident in 11 patients. Mild increased of AST and ALT levels was seen in 9 patients. Hyperamylasemia was recorded in every patient in whom it was measured, with values above 180 IU/L (3 cases). All patients presented acute renal failure and five have been submitted to dialytic treatment. The main cause of death was acute respiratory failure due to pulmonary hemorrhage. Pancreas fragments were collected for histological study and fat necrosis was the criterion used to classify acute pancreatitis. Histological pancreatic findings were edema, mild inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes, hemorrhage, congestion, fat necrosis and calcification. All the patients infected with severe form of leptospirosis who develop abdominal pain should raise the suspect of pancreatic involvement.

Two clinical cases of patients who survived after numerous attacks of Africanized bees (600 and 1500 bee stings, respectively) are reported. Clinical manifestation was characterized by diffuse and widespread edema, a burning sensation in the skin, headache, weakness, dizziness, generalized paresthesia, somnolence and hypotension. Acute renal failure developed and was attributed to hypotension, intravascular hemolysis, myoglobinuria due to rhabdomyolysis and probably to direct toxic effect of the massive quantity of injected venom. They were treated with antihistaminic, corticosteroids and fluid infusion. One of them had severe acute renal failure and dialysis was required. No clinical complication was observed during hospital stay and complete renal function recovery was observed in both patients. In conclusion, acute renal failure after bee stings is probably due to pigment nephropathy associated with hypovolemia. Early recognition of this syndrome is crucial to the successful management of these patients.