ABSTRACT Background: Early hospital readmission (EHR) is associated with worse outcomes. The use of anti-thymocyte globulin (rATG) induction therapy is associated with increased efficacy in preventing acute rejection, although safety concerns still exist. Methods: This retrospective single-center study compared the incidence, causes of EHR, and one-year clinical outcomes of patients receiving a kidney transplant between August 18, 2011 and December 31, 2012 (old era), in which only high-risk patients received 5 mg/kg rATG, with those transplanted between August 18, 2014 and December 31, 2015 (new era), in which all patients received a single 3 mg/kg dose of rATG. Results: There were 788 patients from the Old Era and 800 from the New Era. The EHR incidence in the old era patients was 26.4% and in the new era patients, 22.5% (p = 0.071). The main cause of EHR in both eras was infection (67% vs. 68%). The incidence of acute rejection episodes was lower (22.7% vs 3.5%, p < 0.001) and the one-year patient survival was higher (95.6% vs. 98.1%, vs. p = 0.004) in new era patients. Conclusion: The universal use of 3 mg/kg rATG single-dose induction therapy in the new era was associated with a trend towards reduced EHR and a reduction in the incidence of acute rejection and mortality.

Resumo Histórico: A Readmissão Hospitalar Precoce (RHP) está associada a piores desfechos. O uso de terapia de indução com globulina antitimócito (rATG, por sua sigla em inglês) está associado ao aumento da eficácia na prevenção de rejeição aguda, embora ainda existam preocupações quanto à segurança. Métodos: Este estudo retrospectivo de centro único comparou a incidência, as causas da RHP e os desfechos clínicos de um ano de pacientes que receberam transplante renal entre 18 de Agosto de 2011 e 31 de Dezembro de 2012 (Antiga Era), em que apenas pacientes de alto risco receberam 5 mg/kg de rATG, com aqueles transplantados entre 18 de Agosto de 2014 e 31 de Dezembro de 2015 (Nova Era), em que todos os pacientes receberam uma única dose de 3 mg/kg de rATG. Resultados: Houve 788 pacientes da Antiga Era e 800 da Nova Era. A incidência de RHP nos pacientes da antiga era foi de 26,4% e nos pacientes da nova era, 22,5% (p = 0,071). A principal causa de RHP em ambas as eras foi infecção (67% vs. 68%). A incidência de episódios de rejeição aguda foi menor (22,7% vs. 3,5%; p < 0,001) e a sobrevida do paciente em um ano foi maior (95,6% vs. 98,1%; vs. p = 0,004) em pacientes da nova era. Conclusão: O uso universal de terapia de indução de 3 mg/kg de rATG em dose única na nova era foi associado a uma tendência à redução da RHP e a uma redução na incidência de rejeição aguda e mortalidade.

Resumo A retinite por citomegalovírus (CMV) é uma manifestação rara de doença invasiva por CMV e potencialmente ameaçadora para a visão em indivíduos imunocomprometidos. A suspeita clínica é fundamental, uma vez que se trata de uma entidade incomum, com uma instalação progressiva e frequentemente assintomática durante um longo período. Os autores relatam um homem de 70 anos de idade com doença renal do diabetes que foi submetido a um transplante renal (KT) em Agosto de 2014 com boa evolução clínica. Nenhuma infecção anterior por CMV ou episódios de rejeição aguda foram relatados. Cinco anos após o transplante, ele foi internado devido a uma acuidade visual reduzida do olho esquerdo com sete dias de evolução com hiperemia associada, sem exsudato. A avaliação oftalmológica foi compatível com a necrose aguda da retina e presumivelmente associada à infecção por CMV. Ele teve uma melhora progressiva após o início do ganciclovir. A retinite por CMV é uma das complicações oculares mais graves em indivíduos imunossuprimidos e pode levar à cegueira irreversível e, por isso, o diagnóstico e o tratamento precoces continuam sendo cruciais para obter o melhor prognóstico visual em pacientes afetados. A profilaxia secundária com ganciclovir não é consensual, tampouco a segurança de reintroduzir o antimetabólito nestes casos.

Abstract Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is a rare manifestation of CMV invasive disease and potentially threatening to vision in immunocompromised individuals. Clinical suspicion is fundamental since it is an unusual entity with a progressive and often asymptomatic installation over a long period. The authors report a 70-year-old man with diabetic nephropathy who underwent a kidney transplant (KT) in August 2014 with good clinical evolution. No previous CMV infection or episodes of acute rejection were reported. Five years after transplant, he was admitted due to a reduced visual acuity of the left eye with seven days of evolution with associated hyperemia, without exudate. The ophthalmologic evaluation was compatible with acute necrosis of the retina and presumed associated with CMV infection. He had a progressive improvement after ganciclovir initiation. CMV retinitis is one of the most serious ocular complications in immune-suppressed individuals and can lead to irreversible blindness, and because of that, early diagnosis and treatment remains crucial in obtaining the best visual prognosis in affected patients. Secondary prophylaxis with ganciclovir is not consensual, neither is the safety of reintroducing the antimetabolite in these cases.

Abstract Background: Transplant Renal Artery Stenosis (TRAS) is a recognized vascular complication after kidney transplantation. The overall risk predictors of TRAS are poorly understood. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients with suspected TRAS (Doppler ultrasound PSV > 200 cm/s) who underwent angiographic study in a single center between 2007 and 2014. All patients with stenosis > 50% were considered with TRAS. Stenosis restricted in the body of the artery was also analyzed in a subgroup. Results: 274 patients were submitted to a renal angiography and 166 confirmed TRAS. TRAS group featured an older population (46.3 ± 11.0 vs. 40.9 ±14.2 years; p = 0.001), more frequent hypertensive nephropathy (30.1% vs. 15.7%; p = 0.01), higher incidence of Delayed Graft Function (DGF) (52.0% vs. 25.6%; p < 0.001) and longer Cold Ischemia Time (CIT) (21.5 ± 10.6 vs. 15.7 ± 12.9h; p < 0.001). In multivariable analyses, DGF (OR = 3.31; 95% CI 1.78-6.30; p < 0.0001) was independent risk factors for TRAS. DM and CIT showed a tendency towards TRAS. The compound discriminatory capacity of the multivariable model (AUC = 0.775; 95% CI 0.718-0.831) is significantly higher than systolic blood pressure and creatinine alone (AUC = 0.62; 95% CI 0.558-0.661). In body artery stenosis subgroup, DGF (OR = 1.86; 95% CI 1.04-3.36; p = 0.03) and Diabetes Mellitus (DM) (OR = 2.44; 95% CI 1.31-4.60; p = 0.005) were independent risk factors for TRAS. Conclusion: In our transplant population, DGF increased more than 3-fold the risk of TRAS. In the subgroup analysis, both DGF and DM increases the risk of body artery stenosis. The addition of other factors to hypertension and renal dysfunction may increase diagnostic accuracy.

Resumo Histórico: A Readmissão Hospitalar Precoce (RHP) está associada a piores desfechos. O uso de terapia de indução com globulina antitimócito (rATG, por sua sigla em inglês) está associado ao aumento da eficácia na prevenção de rejeição aguda, embora ainda existam preocupações quanto à segurança. Métodos: Este estudo retrospectivo de centro único comparou a incidência, as causas da RHP e os desfechos clínicos de um ano de pacientes que receberam transplante renal entre 18 de Agosto de 2011 e 31 de Dezembro de 2012 (Antiga Era), em que apenas pacientes de alto risco receberam 5 mg/kg de rATG, com aqueles transplantados entre 18 de Agosto de 2014 e 31 de Dezembro de 2015 (Nova Era), em que todos os pacientes receberam uma única dose de 3 mg/kg de rATG. Resultados: Houve 788 pacientes da Antiga Era e 800 da Nova Era. A incidência de RHP nos pacientes da antiga era foi de 26,4% e nos pacientes da nova era, 22,5% (p = 0,071). A principal causa de RHP em ambas as eras foi infecção (67% vs. 68%). A incidência de episódios de rejeição aguda foi menor (22,7% vs. 3,5%; p < 0,001) e a sobrevida do paciente em um ano foi maior (95,6% vs. 98,1%; vs. p = 0,004) em pacientes da nova era. Conclusão: O uso universal de terapia de indução de 3 mg/kg de rATG em dose única na nova era foi associado a uma tendência à redução da RHP e a uma redução na incidência de rejeição aguda e mortalidade.

ABSTRACT Background: Early hospital readmission (EHR) is associated with worse outcomes. The use of anti-thymocyte globulin (rATG) induction therapy is associated with increased efficacy in preventing acute rejection, although safety concerns still exist. Methods: This retrospective single-center study compared the incidence, causes of EHR, and one-year clinical outcomes of patients receiving a kidney transplant between August 18, 2011 and December 31, 2012 (old era), in which only high-risk patients received 5 mg/kg rATG, with those transplanted between August 18, 2014 and December 31, 2015 (new era), in which all patients received a single 3 mg/kg dose of rATG. Results: There were 788 patients from the Old Era and 800 from the New Era. The EHR incidence in the old era patients was 26.4% and in the new era patients, 22.5% (p = 0.071). The main cause of EHR in both eras was infection (67% vs. 68%). The incidence of acute rejection episodes was lower (22.7% vs 3.5%, p < 0.001) and the one-year patient survival was higher (95.6% vs. 98.1%, vs. p = 0.004) in new era patients. Conclusion: The universal use of 3 mg/kg rATG single-dose induction therapy in the new era was associated with a trend towards reduced EHR and a reduction in the incidence of acute rejection and mortality.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe the result of the strategies adopted to maintain the transplant program amid the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Since March 2020, several measures have been adopted sequentially, including the compulsory use of personal protective equipment and the real-time polymerase chain reaction testing of collaborators, symptomatic patients, potential deceased donors, candidates for recipients, and in-hospital readmissions, regardless of symptoms. The living-donor transplantation was restricted to exceptional cases. RESULTS: Among 1013 health professionals, 201 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed between March and August 2020, with no severe cases reported. In this period, we observed a 19% institutional increase in the number of transplants from deceased donors compared with that observed in the same period in 2019. There was no donor-derived severe acute respiratory syndrome virus (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Four COVID-19-positive patients underwent transplantation; after 28 days, all were alive and with functioning allograft. Among the 11,875 already transplanted patients being followed up, there were 546 individuals with confirmed diagnosis, 372 who required hospitalization, and 167 on mechanical ventilation, resulting in a 27% mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm that the adoption of sequential and coordinated measures amid the pandemic was able to successfully maintain the transplant program and ensure the safety of health professionals and transplanted patients who were already in follow-up.

Resumo A Readmissão Hospitalar Precoce (RH), definida como todas as readmissões dentro de 30 dias após a alta hospitalar inicial, é uma métrica da qualidade hospitalar. É influenciada pelas características demográficas da população em risco, pela abordagem multidisciplinar da alta hospitalar inicial, pelo acesso, pela cobertura e pela abrangência do Sistema de Saúde e pelas políticas de reembolso. A readmissão hospitalar precoce está associada a maior morbidade, mortalidade e aumento dos custos com saúde. O monitoramento da RH permite a identificação das fragilidades hospitalares e ambulatoriais e a implementação de intervenções corretivas. Entre os receptores de transplante renal nos EUA, a RH varia entre 18% e 47% e está associada a maior mortalidade e perda do enxerto no primeiro ano do transplante. Um estudo no Brasil mostrou uma incidência de 19,8% de RH. As principais causas de readmissão foram infecções e complicações cirúrgicas e metabólicas. As estratégias para reduzir a readmissão hospitalar precoce são, portanto, essenciais e devem considerar o ambiente local, incluindo condições socioeconômicas, epidemiologia local, doenças e mobilidade endêmicas.

Abstract Early hospital readmission (EHR), defined as all readmissions within 30 days of initial hospital discharge, is a health care quality measure. It is influenced by the demographic characteristics of the population at risk, the multidisciplinary approach for hospital discharge, the access, coverage, and comprehensiveness of the health care system, and reimbursement policies. EHR is associated with higher morbidity, mortality, and increased health care costs. Monitoring EHR enables the identification of hospital and outpatient healthcare weaknesses and the implementation of corrective interventions. Among kidney transplant recipients in the USA, EHR ranges between 18 and 47%, and is associated with one-year increased mortality and graft loss. One study in Brazil showed an incidence of 19.8% of EHR. The main causes of readmission were infections and surgical and metabolic complications. Strategies to reduce early hospital readmission are therefore essential and should consider the local factors, including socio-economic conditions, epidemiology and endemic diseases, and mobility.

RESUMO Em 2004, um surto global de Chikungunya afetou a maioria das regiões tropicais e subtropicais do mundo. Em 2016, um surto ocorreu no Nordeste do Brasil com centenas de casos documentados. Receptores de transplantes de órgãos sólidos têm uma resposta imune modificada à infecção, e o curso clínico é geralmente diferente daquele em pacientes imunocompetentes. O diagnóstico pode ser desafiador nessa população. A maioria dos relatos descreve pacientes residentes em áreas endêmicas, embora devamos enfatizar a importância do diagnóstico diferencial em viajantes transplantados renais que visitam regiões endêmicas, como o Nordeste do Brasil. Aqui, nós relatamos o caso de um receptor de transplante renal que adquiriu febre Chikungunya após uma viagem a uma região endêmica no Nordeste do Brasil durante o surto de 2016, com uma boa evolução clínica. Também apresentamos recomendações de alerta para viajantes em áreas endêmicas, como medidas adicionais para prevenir surtos de doenças.

ABSTRACT In 2004, a global spread of Chikungunya fever affected most tropical and subtropical regions of the world. In 2016, an outbreak occurred in Northeast Brazil with hundreds of cases documented. Solid organ transplant recipients have a modified immune response to infection and the clinical course is usually different from immunocompetent patients. The diagnosis can be challenging in this population. Most reports describe patients residing in endemic areas, although we must emphasize the importance of differential diagnosis in kidney transplanted travelers who visit endemic regions, such as Northeast Brazil. Here, we reported a case of a kidney transplant recipient that acquired Chikungunya fever after a trip to an endemic region at Northeast Brazil during the outbreak in 2016, with a good clinical evolution. We also present warning recommendations for travelers to endemic areas as additional measures to prevent disease outbreaks.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate cardiovascular involvement in children and adolescents with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and to characterize the main risk factors associated with this outcome. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 69 children and adolescents at renal transplantation and 33 healthy individuals matched by age and gender. The study outcomes were left ventricular mass z-score (LVMZ) and carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT). The potential risk factors considered were age, gender, CKD etiology, use of oral vitamin D and calcium-based phosphate binders, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index z-score, time since diagnosis, dialysis duration, serum levels of ionic calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, fibroblast growth factor (FGF 23), uric acid, homocysteine, cholesterol, triglycerides, C-reactive protein (CRP), vitamin D and hemoglobin. RESULTS: In the multivariate analysis, the factors associated with LVMZ were dialysis duration, age, systolic blood pressure, serum hemoglobin and HDL cholesterol levels. Regarding CIMT, in the multivariate analysis, systolic blood pressure was the only factor associated with the outcome. CONCLUSION: Children exhibited important cardiovascular involvement at the time of the renal transplantation. Both of the studied outcomes were independently associated with systolic blood pressure. For this reason, controlling blood pressure seems to be the main therapy to minimize cardiovascular involvement in children with ESRD.