1/41. Subcutaneous nodules attributed to nocardiosis in a renal transplant recipient on tacrolimus therapy.We report a renal transplant patient who suffered from disseminated nocardiosis after empirical tacrolimus rescue therapy for chronic allograft rejection. The nocardiosis presented initially as only mildly tender subcutaneous calf nodules without any other signs of inflammation nor constitutional upset, which later spread to the lung and brain causing bronchopneumonia and brain abscesses. The risk factors for nocardial infection in our patient include the use of potent immunosuppressive agents such as tacrolimus, poorly controlled diabetes mellitus and kidney dysfunction. She responded well to combination antibiotic therapy comprising parenteral meropenem, cefotaxime and oral minocycline. We conclude that in transplant recipients, especially those receiving newer and more potent immunosuppressive agents like tacrolimus, nocardial infection can present as apparently 'cold' subcutaneous nodules without any systemic upset. An associated brain lesion should be excluded even in patients without neurological symptoms.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = inflammation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/41. Pseudomelanosis duodeni: association with hypertension and chronic renal failure: case report.We present the first reported case with typical endoscopic and histological findings from thailand. An 80-year-old man presented with chronic periumbilical abdominal pain for 3 months and melena for one week. He had had hypertension for 17 years, chronic renal failure for 4 years and gouty arthritis for 3 years. Panendoscopy was done and showed diffusely scattered small black and brown pigmentation over the stomach and duodenum. Tissue biopsies from the black pigmented lesions were taken for further microscopic and histochemical evaluation. Histological finding and special histochemical stains, Fontana stain, revealed mild chronic inflammation with accumulation of hemosiderin pigment in the lamina propria of the stomach and duodenal villi. This condition is called Pseudomelanosis duodeni. The literature of this condition was also reviewed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = inflammation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/41. Destructive spondyloarthropathy mimicking spondylitis in long-term hemodialysis patients.A 63-year-old man with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who had been undergoing hemodialysis for 18 years suffered persistent neck pain, progressive quadriparesis, and a deteriorating ataxic gait during the 6 months before admission. A sudden onset of aggravating quadriparesis and an inability to ambulate occurred during his trip to Sydney, australia, 1 week before this admission. Vertebral tuberculosis osteomyelitis of the C5/6 segment was considered and treated in a hospital there. Findings from cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; low signal intensity on both T1- and T2-weighted images) were diagnostic of destructive spondyloarthropathy (DSA) and distinguishable from spinal osteomyelitis preoperatively. amyloid masses, mainly composed of B-2 microglobulin, filled in disc and paradiscal ligaments, with adjacent end-plate destruction by cytokine-mediated reactive inflammation, and appeared to be mostly related to the pathogenesis of DSA. The cervical spine, especially C5/6, is the most common site of DSA. Spinal instability and neurologic compression cause the clinical symptoms and signs. Adequate decompression and successful cervical fusion ensure the best therapeutic results.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = inflammation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/41. Positive imaging of an inflammatory process at an arteriovenous access site with 111 indium-labeled platelets.Complications associated with the vascular access for hemodialysis represent one of the most important causes of morbidity among patients with renal replacement therapy. Early detection of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) dysfunction is of great interest. We present the case of a 70 year old woman who underwent 111In-oxine-labeled-platelet scintigraphy to evaluate thrombogenicity at 3 weeks and 3 months after surgery of a new AVF. In the first post-operative scintigraphy 4 hours after reinjection of autologous 111In-labeled platelets, enhanced focal activity was visible in the AVF projection which could not be detected after 24 hours. Since early platelet accumulation may reflect hyperemia in inflammation, this diagnosis was verified by anti-granulocyte antibody scintigraphy. The platelet scintigraphy performed 3 months later was negative, with persistence of sufficient AVF function. These data show an intense early accumulation of 111In-oxine-labeled-platelets in unspecific inflammation of an AVF.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = inflammation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/41. Familial membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type III.BACKGROUND: Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) is a relatively uncommon cause of progressive renal disease characterized by immune complex deposition resulting in mesangial proliferation and endocapillary inflammation with capillary wall thickening and double contour formation. Although a familial linkage has been reported in MPGN type II disease and less often in type I disease, a familial linkage in type III disease has not been reported previously. methods: We identified a family in which MPGN type III developed in a living-related donor 12 years later and recurred in the renal allograft of his son, whose primary disease was MPGN type III. We screened the members of the extended family, looking for evidence of hematuria and proteinuria. Renal biopsy specimens exhibited the findings of subendothelial deposits, subepithelial deposits, and complex glomerular basement membrane changes with C3 but not IgG seen on immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Screening identified eight affected family members (six biopsy proven) over three generations. The condition is inherited in an apparent autosomal dominant fashion. CONCLUSION: This is the first description of familial MPGN type III. We hope that by studying the disease in this family group, we may learn more about the pathogenesis of the condition.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = inflammation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/41. BK polyomavirus interstitial nephritis in a renal transplant patient with no previous acute rejection episodes.A renal transplant patient treated with tacrolimus and mycophenolate-mofetil (MMF) developed progressive graft function deterioration 10 months after transplantation. biopsy of the graft showed severe, focally accentuated interstitial inflammation with focal tubulitis and tubular necrosis, and medium-severe interstitial fibrosis with focal tubular atrophy. Glomerular and vascular structures were preserved. On careful examination, in some sections, tubular epithelial cells showed a definite increase with deformation of the nuclear shape, chromatin irregularities with peripheral dislocation and inclusion bodies. These cytopathic changes suggested polyoma virus infection ("decoy cells"). Subsequent screening of the urinary sediment confirmed the presence of many "decoy cells". Immunohistochemical analysis of the biopsy showed many tubular cells were strongly positive for the SV 40 antigen, specific for BK polyoma virus. A diagnosis of interstitial nephritis due to BK polyoma virus was made, though the coexistence of cellular rejection could not be excluded. At variance with previous reports, our patient had not had repeated episodes of rejection before biopsy or heavy immunosuppressive treatment, such as ALG, OKT3, after transplantation. This case shows that even in the absence of vigorous anti-rejection therapy an immunosuppressive regimen based on tacrolimus and MMF may involve the risk of BK polyoma virus- associated interstitial nephritis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = inflammation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/41. infection and inflammation in dialysis patients: impact on laboratory parameters and anemia. Case study of the anemic patient.infection and inflammation trigger an acute-phase response that can precipitate the development of mild to moderate anemia. In many cases, changes in hematological parameters may be the initial sign of an occult infectious or inflammatory disorder. In dialysis patients, the decrease in erythropoiesis attributed to these conditions is often additive--aggravating the preexisting anemia associated with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). nephrology nurses are in a unique position to conduct regular physical assessments and laboratory evaluations to proactively detect infection or inflammation and limit the short- and long-term impact of these conditions.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 6keywords = inflammation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/41. Recovery from hemodialysis therapy in a patient with renal cholesterol crystal embolism.The prognosis of renal cholesterol crystal embolism (CCE) is poor, and many patients progressively develop to the end-stage of chronic renal failure. We herein experienced a 66-year-old male patient who recovered from hemodialysis (HD) shortly after an amputation of inflammatory toes. The patient complained of painful digital cyanosis at bilateral toes and livedo reticularis at right lower leg 4 weeks following aortic angiography. Laboratory examinations revealed eosinophilia and overt proteinuria (3.0 g/day). His serum creatinine level increased from 2.18 to 8.57 mg/dl over 6 weeks, and HD treatment was started. Treatment with simvastatin (5 mg/day) did not reverse renal failure and hypereosinophilia, but the amputation of right gangrene toes promptly increased urine output and eosinophilia completely disappeared concomitantly with a decline of c-reactive protein from 9.7 to 0.7 mg/dl. serum creatinine level was also reduced to 3.46 mg/dl, and he eventually stopped HD totally after 32 sessions. This case suggested that the surgical amputation promptly recovered renal function. Reversal of inflammation may be more effective than lipid-lowering therapy for renal failure in our patient.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = inflammation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/41. calciphylaxis: what nurses need to know.calciphylaxis is a rare and potentially fatal complication of end stage renal disease (ESRD) and secondary hyperparathyroidism associated with abnormal calcium metabolism. Painful purple skin lesions are often the presenting sign with digital ischemia, ulcerations, and necrosis being the characteristic features of the disease. skin or incisional biopsy showing widespread calcifications and fibrinous thrombi without inflammation will confirm the diagnosis. Early recognition and prompt treatment of calciphylaxis is vital for symptom relief, ulcer healing, and prevention of sepsis and death. This article will educate nurses to recognize this disease in hope of early treatment. The article includes information about disease history, pathogenesis, etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, prevention, and current treatment, and, in addition, presents case study of a patient with calciphylaxis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = inflammation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/41. Toxic shock syndrome in two CAPD patients with staphylococcus aureus exit-site infection.Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is an illness defined by the occurrence of fever, rash, hypotension, multiple organ system dysfunction, and desquamation. Nonmenstrual TSS is often associated with surgical or nonsurgical cutaneous infections, which are rarely purulent or inflamed (Reingold AL, et al. Nonmenstrual toxic shock syndrome: a review of 130 cases. Ann Intern Med 1982; 96:871-4). Toxic shock syndrome associated with peritoneal exit-site infection but without peritonitis is extremely unusual (Sherbotie JR, et al. Toxic shock syndrome with staphylococcus aureus exit-site infection in a patient on peritoneal dialysis. Am J kidney Dis 1990; 15:80-3). We describe 2 patients that met the Centers for disease Control case definition of TSS secondary to a peritoneal dialysis catheter exit-site infection with signs of mild inflammation and growth of staphylococcus aureus, but with no evidence of peritonitis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = inflammation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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