Background: Repeat renal biopsy is usually done for lupus nephritis (LN) flare or resistant disease. We analyzed the changes between first and repeat biopsy and the contribution of repeat biopsy on renal outcome in LN patients. Methods: This was a retrospective study carried out at a tertiary care center in India. Sixty-two LN patients who underwent repeat biopsy for clinical indications, between January 2012 to December 2016, were included. Clinical and histological parameters at first and second biopsies were compared. Logistic regression analysis was done to determine parameters on repeat biopsy predicting response at last visit. Results: Repeat biopsy was done for relapse in 56% and for resistant disease in 44% patients. Seven (13.7%) out of 51 patients with baseline proliferative histology converted to non-proliferative lesion on second biopsy, while 2 (18.2%) out of 11 with baseline non-proliferative lesion converted to proliferative lesion on second biopsy. On repeat biopsy, the presence of endocapillary proliferation decreased, whereas glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (IFTA), and glomerular basement membrane thickening increased. At the last visit (median follow-up of 38.6 months after first biopsy and 13.8 months after second biopsy), 79% of patients were in remission and 6.5% needed renal replacement therapy. The presence of IFTA >30% and thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) on second biopsy independently predicted response at last visit. Conclusion: In Indian patients with LN, chronicity markers and superimposed membranous pattern increased on repeat biopsy done for clinical indications. The presence of IFTA and TMA on second biopsy predicted response at last visit.

Patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) and severe hyponatremia always pose a challenge to manage. It is necessary to correct biochemical parameters, advanced azotemia, and fluid overload with conventional haemodialysis (HD) but it may correct serum sodium (Na) rapidly resulting in neurological complications like seizures and osmotic demyelination syndrome. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is an ideal modality to manage such patients. However, most of the centers in the developing or underdeveloped nations do not have CRRT facility. We present two cases of ESRD, who had advanced azotemia requiring dialysis, also had persistent vomiting and severe hyponatremia (one with Na 107, another with Na 109 mEq/L), both cases were managed with conventional HD using dialysate Na concentration of 128 mEq/L (lowest permissible level of Na in a traditional HD machine) and keeping the blood flow of 50 mL/min. The serum Na increased by 1 mEq/L/h during first HD session, during the next session blood flow increased to 100 mL/min, and serum Na increased by two mEq/L/h. At the end of 48 hours, we were able to successfully correct serum Na by 18 mEq/L, with complete resolution of uremic manifestations and no neurological deficits. The current reports highlight management of hyponatremia in newly diagnosed ESRD in a cost limited setting.

Prostate cyst, as an extrarenal manifestation in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, although infrequent, nevertheless goes beyond tenuous concomitance and may rarely contribute to recurrent urinary tract infection or outflow obstruction and mostly remains asymptomatic. In this context, we report a case of incidentally detected, an asymptomatic prostatic cyst in a patient of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Granulomatous interstitial nephritis (GIN) is reported in 0.9% of the native renal biopsies. GIN occurrence in renal allograft is rare and a proton-pump inhibitor-induced GIN is infrequent. Our patient, a 36-year-old renal transplant recipient (2002), on triple immunosuppression with normal renal function, after 16 years of renal transplant, presented with raised serum creatinine (1.9 mg/dl), biopsy revealed GIN, workup for secondary causes were negative, on detailed inquiry, the patient was receiving pantoprazole for the last 1 month on the prescription of his primary physician for dyspeptic symptoms. On stopping pantoprazole, serum creatinine reduced to baseline (1 mg/dl) at 15 days, confirming the diagnosis of pantoprazole-induced GIN.

Cryptococcal infection constitutes around 3% of opportunistic infections in solid organ transplant recipients. Most common organ affected in renal transplant recipients (RTRs) is central nervous system and usually presents with chronic meningoencephalitis (CME). Ischaemic stroke as a consequence of cryptococcal meningoencephalitisis rare and possibly due to the involvement of intracranial vessel by exudates causing vasculitis-related thrombosis. In this context, we describe an unusual case of asymptomatic cryptococcaemia in an RTR, progressing on to acute ischaemic stroke secondary to acute CME with near complete neurological recovery following timely diagnosis, early and appropriate antifungal treatment. The index case attempts to re-emphasise the significance of mandatory screening required to exclude the possibility of dissemination of cryptococcaemia in RTRs besides highlighting the requirement of prolonged induction phase with combination therapy, particularly in presence of stroke.

Cryptococcosis particularly if disseminated or extrapulmonary, in an otherwise immune-competent individual, especially if young, requires thorough evaluation for underlying primary immunodeficiency including Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease (MSMD).In this context, we describe an adolescent diagnosed with disseminated cryptococcosis involving skin, lymph nodes, spleen and hepato-biliary involvement with reduced IL-12β1 receptor expression suggesting underlying MSMD.Following initial management with conventional amphotericin and flucytosine, along with antibiotics for cholangitis and later suppressive prophylaxis with fluconazole our patient showed good response with resolution of jaundice, normalization of liver function tests by second month of follow-up and had significant regression of lymph nodes as well as skin lesions by six months.

Although rare, both Cladophialophora bantiana (C. bantiana) and Toxoplasma gondii have been known to be associated with brain abscess in renal transplant recipients (RTRs), however co-infection has never been reported till date. In the present case, 40 years old renal transplant recipient on curtailed immunosuppressive therapy presented with progressive headache and altered sensorium. The computed tomography of head showed multiple ring-enhancing discrete lesions in the left frontal lobe, with moderate perilesional oedema. Left frontal craniotomy and aspiration revealed thick yellowish brown pus, which on culture showed the growth of dematiaceous fungal hyphae “C. bantiana” and co-infection with “Toxoplasma” was confirmed by PCR as well as serology (both IgM and IgG – Toxoplasma) positivity. Stereotactic aspiration/open craniotomy and drainage is imperative to arrive at microbiological diagnosis and provide timely therapy to the patient.

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Splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) is rare, with risk of rupture especially if diameter is >2 cm. It is usually asymptomatic and detected incidentally on imaging either in young pregnant women or elderly cirrhotic patients. Extracranial vascular abnormalities known to be associated with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) include ascending aortic aneurysms, dissections of coronary and vertebral arteries and rarely SAA. We describe a rare case of incidentally detected SAA in a patient with end stage renal disease due to ADPKD during evaluation of persistent gross haematuria, with no evidence of cranial or other extracranial aneurysms.