Biomedical subjects
Amitava Pahari
Publications and source records attributed to Amitava Pahari.
Recurrent meningitis in association with common variable immune deficiency.
Recurrent meningitis in children is unusual and usually associated with a predisposing factor like immune-deficiency disorder or cranio-spinal defect. We report a case of recurrent meningitis in association with Common Variable Immune deficiency.
BK virus-associated renal problems--clinical implications.
BK virus (BKV), a human polyomavirus, infects most of the human population, but clinically relevant infections are usually limited to individuals who are immunosuppressed. After primary infection, BKV remains latent in the kidneys and can be reactivated in immune deficiency conditions, including transplantation. As primary infection occurs in childhood, BKV may be particularly important in the pediatric transplant population. BKV is associated with tubulointerstitial nephritis and ureteric stenosis in renal transplant recipients and hemorrhagic cystitis in bone marrow transplant recipients. There are increasing reports of BKV causing nephropathy and cystitis in non-renal solid organ transplant recipients and other immunodeficiency diseases. This might be related to the use of more potent immunosuppressive regimens or increasing awareness of BKV as an important pathogen. Diagnosis of BKV disease is by biopsy. Histopathological changes in renal biopsy specimens may mimic rejection or drug toxicity, but BKV nuclear inclusions can be seen. Treatment is by reduction of immunosuppression. Antiviral agents such as cidofovir are showing promise. BKV DNA polymerase chain reaction in blood or biopsy may be helpful in monitoring therapy. The impact of BKV disease in children is not well understood and prospective studies are needed to elucidate this further. This article reviews the current understanding of BKV-associated renal problems.
Neonatal nephrocalcinosis in association with glucose-galactose malabsorption.
We report a case of severe nephrocalcinosis related to hypercalcaemia in a newborn with glucose-galactose malabsorption. He presented with poor growth and was noted to have polyuria, which was later recognised to be severe watery diarrhoea. We discuss the possible aetiological factors for nephrocalcinosis in this condition.