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Background: Chemokines (chemotactic cytokines) are small proteins which are engaged in many pathophysiological processes, including inflammation and homeostasis. In recent years, application of chemokines in transplant medicine was intensively studied. The aim of this study was to determine the utility of urinary chemokines CCL2 (C‐C motif ligand 2) and CXCL10 (C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 10) in prognosis of 5‐year graft failure and mortality post 1‐year protocol biopsy in renal transplant recipients. Methods: Forty patients who had a protocol biopsy 1 year after renal transplantation were included. Concentrations of CCL2 and CXCL10 in urine with reference to urine creatinine were measured. All patients were under the supervision of one transplant center. Long‐term outcomes within 5 years after 1‐year posttransplant biopsy were analyzed. Results: Urinary CCL2:Cr at the time of biopsy was significantly increased in patients who died or had graft failure. CCL2:Cr was proven to be a significant predictor of 5‐year graft failure and mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.19, p =.02; OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02–1.16, p =.04; respectively). Conclusion: Chemokines are easily detected by current methods. In the era of personalized medicine, urinary CCL2:Cr can be considered as a factor providing complementary information regarding risk of graft failure or increased mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes and cardiovascular disease constitute three interrelated conditions of strong public health relevance. Elderly individuals account for the largest and the most rapidly growing age segment of the end-stage renal disease population. The elderly are affected by the same types of kidney diseases as younger individuals, but aging itself is associated with a gradual reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate, which leads to the diminishment of the functional reserve and makes an individual more vulnerable to injurious effects of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and drugs' toxicity. Although the spectrum of diseases affecting people aged ≥65 is the same as in younger population, there are some distinct differences in the frequency of certain nephropathies between these two age groups. The superimposition of aging-related lesions on other kidney diseases evolving in the elderly population makes the clinical picture more complex and reaching diagnosis more challenging. In elderly CKD patients the high prevalence of comorbidities and the often aberrant metabolism of medications have to be considered in individually tailored treatment strategies.

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is a lymphotropic herpesvirus of emerging clinical significance in immunocompromised patients. Little is known about clinical impact and relevance of HHV-6 variant A infection in renal transplant recipients. We describe the case of a 44-year-old woman who underwent second allogenic kidney transplantation (Tx). On day 6 after Tx she presented with high fever. She developed thrombocytopenia, anemia, diarrhea, liver dysfunction and graft failure. Renal graft biopsies that followed revealed acute rejection. Apart from the introduction of anti-rejection therapy, empiric gancyclovir, as well as antibacterial treatment was initiated. To determine the serostatus of HHV-6 and load of HHV-6A and -6B DNA in paired sera samples an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, indirect immunofluorescence assay and real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay based on the exonuclease format (TaqMan) was devised. HHV-6A was the sole pathogen, the DNA of which was retrospectively detected in patient's serum. HHV-6 IgM seroconversion was demonstrated. No other viral (e.g. cytomegalovirus (CMV)) or other pathogens were detected in the blood, urine, and stool. Following therapy with gancyclovir, viral load declined to undetectable levels. Gradual improvement in clinical status of the patient was observed. HHV-6 infection may be associated with specific clinical manifestations and should be considered in a transplant recipient who presents with a clinical syndrome resembling CMV infection, where CMV assays are negative. This case confirm symptomatic HHV-6 infection and suggests that HHV-6 variant A reactivation may potentially trigger graft rejection.