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Biomedical subjects

K V Johny

Publications and source records attributed to K V Johny.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Treatable intracranial hypertension in patients with lupus nephritis.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a disorder of intracerebral pressure regulation and patients run the risk of permanent visual loss. Intracranial hypertension (IH) has been reported rarely in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We reviewed the medical records of 127 patients with lupus nephritis (LN) who were followed up from 1987 to 1996 in our unit. There were six patients with IH which gave a disease prevalence of 4.7% in those with LN. All were females giving a disease prevalence of 5.2% for that sex, a high rate of occurrence of IH in patients with LN. Their age ranged from 22 to 34 y (27.8 +/- 3.6 y). Headache, vomiting and diplopia were the common presenting symptoms and had started 7.3 +/- 4.4 weeks prior to the diagnosis of IH. The cerebrospinal (CSF) opening pressure (413.3 +/- 77.0 mmH2O) was raised in all cases. Biochemical and cytological analyses of CSF were normal. The only abnormal radiological finding was partially empty sella in one patient on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (performed in three patients) or computed tomography (CT) (performed in all patients). All patients had serological evidences of active lupus disease at the time of diagnosis of IH. The renal histology was WHO type IV in four cases and III and V in one each indicating severe renal involvement. Laboratory evidences of procoagulant activity were found in the form of positive anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) in two patients, lupus anticoagulant (LA) in two and an otherwise unexplained isolated prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) in the other two. Clinically, one or more episodes of symptomatic venous or arterial thrombosis had occurred in all subjects. In addition to symptomatic measures, all subjects were treated with prednisolone, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide and plasmapheresis according to the protocol of our unit. One patient who did not receive plasmapheresis and cyclophosphamide had a relapse while all others recovered completely. None received anticoagulant therapy. Young females with serologically active lupus, severe forms of renal lesions, past history of venous or arterial thrombosis and laboratory evidences of procoagulant activity, appear to be at increased risk of IH. Thrombotic occlusion of the cerebral arteriolar or venous vascular bed eventually affecting the arachnoid villi and impeding CSF absorption is favoured compared to cerebral venous or sinus thrombosis as the pathogenic mechanism. Combined immunosuppression and plasmapheresis appeared to be beneficial in short and long term follow-up. We propose that patients with SLE and IH have definable risk and pathogenetic factors and are no more to be considered 'idiopathic'. The conditions calls for aggressive intervention which leads to an excellent outcome.

Acetazolamide↗
PubMed1996

Invasive fungal infections in renal transplant recipients.

In a retrospective analysis, 18 instances of invasive fungal infections were observed in 512 (3.5%) renal transplant recipients. These included candidiasis (8), aspergillosis (5), cryptococcosis (3) and zygomycosis (2). All patients with candidiasis had Candida isolated from blood and one or more additional sites. One of them had superadded fungaemia with Torulopsis glabrata. Pulmonary disease in four and subcutaneous infection in one were encountered in the five patients with aspergillosis. Central nervous system involvement in two and cutaneous lesion in one were the findings in patients with cryptococcosis. Zygomycosis involved the lung in one and the allograft itself in the other. Prolonged fever not responding to antibacterial drugs was the most common clinical presentation. Fungal infections occurred during the first 4 months in 10 (55.5%) and 12 to 108 months in eight (44.5%) patients. Infections with cytomegalovirus and hepatitis viruses were concommitantly present in 12 (66.7%) and eight (44.5%) patients respectively. Fourteen episodes of fungal infections (77.8%) occurred in live unrelated kidney recipients who formed only 48% of our total transplant population. Nine patients were treated with systemic and/or local amphotericin B and six with amBisome. Fluconazole was administered alone in three and in combination with amphotericin B in two. Fourteen patients died but mortality was only directly attributable to fungal infection in 11. We conclude that invasive fungal infections continue to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients. A high index of suspicion. prompt diagnosis and early institution of specific antifungal therapy are needed.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Erythropoietin deficiency and relative resistance cause anaemia in post-renal transplant recipients with normal renal function.

BACKGROUND: Following successful renal transplantation, blood erythropoietin (Epo) levels peak in two phases during the first 2-3 months, and blood haemoglobin/haematocrit (HB/Hct) levels are restored to normal in a period of 2-6 months. However, some transplant recipients continue to remain anaemic in spite of normal graft function and in the absence of recognizable causes. The role of endogenous Epo production in the causation of anaemia in such patients is poorly understood and has been investigated in this study. METHODS: Twenty-three post-renal transplant recipients with stable normal renal function were studied. Eleven of these patients had normal HB/Hct levels (group 1) and served as control for the rest 12 patients with anaemia (group 2). Patients included in group 2 had no readily recognizable cause for their anaemia. Other laboratory and clinical findings were similar in both groups. Patients with erythrocytosis were excluded. Serum Epo levels were measured in all patients. Five patients in group 2 were treated with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) and their erythropoietic response was assessed. rHuEpo was discontinued when the target Hb/Hct levels (lowest normal range) were achieved and the patients were followed up for a further period of 9-12 months. RESULTS: Five patients in group 1 had normal expected serum Epo levels whereas the other six patients had inappropriately high serum Epo levels with respect to their Hb/Hct status suggestive of relative ¿EPO resistance'. Serum Epo levels in all patients except two in group 2 were low indicative of 'Epo deficiency'. The two exceptional patients in group 2 had higher serum Epo levels in the presence of anaemia suggestive of relative ¿Epo resistance'. All five patients treated with rHUEpo responded adequately by achieving normal Hb/Hct levels. Three of them were originally ¿Epo deficient' and they reached target Hb/Hct levels in a mean period of 4 weeks, requiring a mean cumulative rHuEpo dose of 428.3 units/kg. The other two patients with higher initial serum Epo levels, and considered to be ¿Epo resistant' required an average of 11 weeks of treatment and a mean cumulative rHuEpo dose of 1582.5 units/kg, indicating an increased Epo demand. On cessation of therapy the Hb/Hct levels fell in all five patients to pretreatment values in 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: There are important variations in the endogenous Epo production in renal transplant patients with normal renal function, the cause of which is not clear. Epo deficiency and relative Epo resistance play a causative role for anaemia in some post-renal transplant recipients with stable normal renal function. They respond adequately to rHuEpo administration.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Nocardiosis in renal transplant recipients in Kuwait.

BACKGROUND: Nocardiosis has emerged as an important bacterial disease among renal transplant recipients, leading to considerable morbidity and mortality. Apart from the increasing problem of resistance in pathogenic nocardiae, the spectrum of species causing disease has enlarged in recent years. There are no published reports on nocardiosis from Middle-East countries. METHODS: A retrospective review of case records of 513 renal transplant recipients between January 1989 and January 1995 was done in the transplant unit of our hospital. Information was collected on clinical details, type of donor, immunosuppressive therapy, prophylaxis, and outcome. Isolation of Nocardia species from appropriate clinical specimens was the sole criterion for diagnosis. RESULTS: Nocardiosis was diagnosed in six recipients with a disease incidence of 1.2%. Four patients had received unrelated kidneys. Co-morbid conditions were diabetes mellitus (3), viral hepatitis (2) and neutropenia (1). Clinical manifestations included deep-seated skin abscesses and pulmonary disease in three each. Cerebral abscess and meningitis were found in two patients with pulmonary disease. Pathogens were Nocardia asteroides in four and N. otiti discaviarum and N. farcinica in one each. In contrast to in vitro susceptibility results, clinical response was different in that five patients who received trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) alone (2) or in combination with cefuroxime (3) responded well. CONCLUSIONS: The study stresses a high index of suspicion for nocardiosis in susceptible hosts who present with cutaneous abscess, pulmonary infiltrative lesions, and cerebral manifestations. TMP-SMX in combination with cefuroxime seems to be a highly effective therapy. It does not appear mandatory to reduce or discontinue immunosuppressive therapy during treatment of nocardiosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Liver abscess and disseminated intravascular coagulation in tuberculosis.

We report the case of a 55-year-old man with chronic renal failure, and a history of prolonged fever and jaundice. Radiological studies revealed a multiloculated irregular liver abscess. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated from the abscess on smear and culture of aspirated pus. Haematological studies revealed the presence of disseminated intravascular coagulation. A detailed search failed to identify any reason for this other than the tuberculous infection. The treatment of tuberculous liver abscess and pathogenesis of disseminated intravascular coagulation in tuberculosis are discussed.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation↗
PubMed1994

Amyloidosis of the thyroid gland: role of ultrasonography.

We studied the role of ultrasound assessment of the thyroid gland in detecting amyloid deposition in 9 patients confirmed to have renal amyloidosis because the thyroid gland is a readily accessible organ. Ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland showed a distinctive abnormal appearance in 7 patients. There was enlargement of one or both lobes of the thyroid, a high echogenicity approaching that of the surrounding connective tissue, and a very fine homogeneous echotexture similar to ground glass appearance. Four patients showed dilated follicles in the thyroid gland. The other two patients had normal ultrasound findings. Open wedge biopsy of the thyroid gland in 4 patients, (3 with abnormal ultrasound findings and 1 with normal ultrasound findings) showed amyloid deposits in the 3 patients with abnormal echo findings and no amyloid deposits in the 1 patient with normal findings. In 10 healthy individuals, 10 patients who were just initiated on maintenance hemodialysis and another 10 patients on dialysis for more than 1 year, the thyroid gland was of normal size and appearance in the ultrasound examination. We conclude that ultrasound examination by an experienced radiologist is a useful tool in the diagnosis of thyroid amyloidosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Comparison of two immunization schedules with recombinant hepatitis B vaccine and natural immunity acquired by hepatitis B infection in dialysis patients.

In a prospective study over a 2-year period we compared two practical dosage schedules to vaccinate dialysis patients against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection using a yeast-derived recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (Engerix-B). In addition, the natural history of this acquired immunity was compared with that developed through HBV infection in dialysis patients and healthy subjects. Patients on dialysis treatment (haemo or peritoneal) who were tested to be negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HBs and anti-HB core were allocated at random to receive HB vaccine according to one of the two schedules. The two groups receiving the vaccine were matched for age, sex, mean duration on dialysis and the form of dialysis treatment received. The group of patients who received a four-dose schedule (at 0, 1, 2 and 6 months) of 40 micrograms of HB vaccine each time (group 2) achieved a seroconversion rate of 79% 1 month after the last dose (at month 7) compared with a seroconversion rate of 55% in those who received three doses (at 0, 1 and 6 months) of 40 micrograms each (group 1). Healthy controls who received half the amount of vaccine on a three-dose schedule (group 3) attained 100% seroconversion (p < 0.05). When retested at 24 months, 30% of seroconverters in group 1 had lost their protective immunity, compared with only 6% in group 2 and 15% in group 3. The magnitude of antibody response (total and anti-(a)-specific) was assessed in the vaccinees at 24 months and compared with that of two other control groups, dialysis patients (group 4) and healthy volunteers (group 5), who had acquired immunity from HBV infection. In general, the total and anti-(a)-specific HBs titres in the dialysis patients (groups 1, 2 and 4) were lower than in their corresponding healthy controls (groups 3 and 5), irrespective of whether the protective immunity was acquired by vaccination or HBV infection. However, the anti-HBs titres in dialysis patients who received four doses were significantly higher than in those who received only three doses (p < 0.05), which indicated a better protective immunity in favour of the former regime. The magnitude of antibody response in the vaccinees of groups 2 and 3 compared well with their respective controls, groups 4 and 5, who had acquired their immunity through HBV infection. This implied that the yeast-derived vaccine was sufficiently immunogenic and provided lasting protection in patients and healthy subjects vaccinated by an appropriate dosage schedule.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

End-stage renal disease and renal replacement therapy in Kuwait--epidemiological profile over the past 4 1/2 years.

Data on end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients in Kuwait were collected retrospectively and prospectively starting in mid-1988. The study period covered 4 1/2 years from 1 January 1986 to 30 June 1990. Epidemiological characteristics of ESRD patients and their disposal by dialysis and transplantation were analysed and compared with previous reports from Kuwait, neighbouring countries, Europe, and USA. A total of 647 patients received renal replacement therapy (RRT) in Kuwait during the study period. This gave an incidence rate of 72 patients per year per million of population. The prevalence rate for patients on maintenance dialysis was 80.6 per million population in mid-1988. Nearly one-fifth of total patients (19.6%) were older than 60 years of age and one-third (30.8%) were identified as 'high risk' category. As for Kuwaiti nationals alone on RRT 29.7% were above 60 years of age and 44.2% were high-risk patients. We have noticed a steady decline in the number of patients who accepted continuous ambulatory peritonial dialysis (CAPD) for dialytic support. Chronic tubulointerstitial disease resulting from atrophic pyelonephritis was the leading cause of ESRD amongst both Kuwaiti nationals and expatriates. Though diabetic nephropathy was only the third leading cause of ESRD (14.7%) in the total population, it was more frequent (21.2%) among Kuwaitis. The gross mortality rate on dialysis was 14.7%. The major causes of death were related to cardiovascular diseases (60%) and sepsis (24.2%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Erythropoietin treatment in haemodialysis patients with iron overload.

Erythropoietic response to exogenously administered recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) was examined in 11 maintenance haemodialysis patients with iron overload (IO). All had required numerous blood transfusions earlier (> 12 units/year). Diagnosis of IO was established by high serum ferritin (SF) levels (> 1,100 micrograms/l), high hepatic CT density (> 70 Hounsfield units; HU) and excessive iron stores in bone marrow aspirate (grade 6). None of the patients had osteitis fibrosa cystica, aluminium intoxication, haemoglobinopathy or haemochromatosis alleles (HLA A3, B7 and B14). All patients responded to rHuEpo treatment (target haemoglobin level of 9-10 g/dl). None of the patients required iron supplementation or developed 'functional anaemia'. During 30 +/- 3 months of therapy, the initial maintenance dose of rHuEpo (103 +/- 12 units/kg/week) and median SF levels (2,250 micrograms/l) fell (50 +/- 8 units/kg/week and 1,060 micrograms/l, respectively) (p = 0.0003 and 0.0007). The initial and final rHuEpo doses correlated well with the respective SF levels (r = 0.89, p < 0.001). The maintenance dose of rHuEpo required for patients with IO at the start of the treatment period was significantly higher than that (50 +/- 5 units/kg/week) required by a control group of patients with adequate iron stores (SF = 100-600 micrograms/l) who were matched for age, sex and frequency of previous blood transfusions (p = 0.002). The findings suggested that excessive IO caused relative resistance to erythropoiesis on exogenous administration of rHuEpo and that iron supplementation was not warranted during rHuEpo therapy in those patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

The impact of Iraqi occupation on end-stage renal disease patients in Kuwait, 1990-1991.

This paper describes the impact of Iraqi invasion and occupation on 196 end-stage renal failure (ESRD) patients maintained on dialysis treatment in Kuwait. Seventeen patients were abroad on holidays at the time of invasion, 77 fled the country for safety, and the rest (102) remained in Kuwait. Nearly half of those patients who remained in Kuwait died during the period of occupation. The mortality rate was as high as 95% in the intermittent cycler peritoneal dialysis (IPD) patients and 41% in haemodialysis patients compared to only 12.7% for those who left the country for treatment. Failure to reach dialysis centres, sepsis, myocardial infarction, and cerebral haemorrhage were the major causes of death. Shortage of skilled nurses was the major detrimental factor which necessitated major policy changes in the treatment programme. Those were (1) restriction of haemodialysis treatment hours and (2) discontinuation of IPD and transfer of patients to continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The incidence of new ESRD Kuwaiti patients entering dialysis programme during the occupation period and soon afterwards was only 37 per million Kuwaiti population compared to 60 per million in the previous years.

Humans↗
PubMed1993

Acute renal failure in Kuwait--a prospective study.

This prospective study was conducted over a period of 18 months (February 1989 to July 1990) in the State of Kuwait. It covered a population of 1,024,211 and eight multidisciplinary hospitals with an in-patient admission of 118,079 per year. Two hundred and twenty-six adult patients with acute renal failure (ARF) were seen and followed up by nephrologists. This made the calculated annual incidence of ARF 14.7 per 100,000 population, nearly five times that reported by the EDTA registry (Biesenbach et al. 1991). Drugs, sepsis and volume depletion were the most frequent causes, with sepsis resulting in 36% cause specific mortality compared to zero mortality with the other two. The overall mortality rate was only 14% which clearly indicated a markedly improved prognosis in cases of ARF. The prognosis in ARF depended on two major factors, viz. the type of aetiological insult and the presence of predisposing associated medical illnesses. Multiple insults, though common, do not affect the mortality rate. Secondary sepsis or gastrointestinal bleeding as a cause of death in ARF was rarely seen in our study. Those who required dialytic support for renal failure had a 45% patient mortality rate in general. Over 40% of our patients were 60 years or older compared with only 3.5% in the local population. This indicated old age as a major risk factor in the development of ARF. The overall mortality in the elderly did not differ from that in the young, but sepsis in the elderly carried a mortality rate of 60% compared to only 14.8% in the younger age group.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1991

Oliguric acute renal failure due to glue-sniffing. Case report.

A 38-year-old male developed acute oliguric renal failure following repeated glue sniffing for about 8 hours. In addition, he had severe liver cell injury, mild myonecrosis and bone marrow depression indicating generalized tissue toxicity. The high urinary spot sodium during the oliguric phase and the total renal functional recovery after a period of oliguria followed by polyuria favoured a diagnosis of acute toxic tubular necrosis causing acute renal failure. Toluene which is used as the solvent is presumably the toxic agent involved in glue sniffing. It is advised that toluene inhalation be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute renal failure especially in the young. Literature on the renal toxicity of toluene is briefly reviewed.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1989

Renal diseases in Kuwait. Experience with 244 renal biopsies.

The biopsy slides and clinical data on 244 patients who underwent percutaneous renal biopsies in the last 4 years in Kuwait were retrospectively reviewed. The data were analysed to show a correlation between clinical presentation and histological findings. We noted a high incidence of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) presenting as nephrotic syndrome in association with schistosomal infection, an endemic disease in many of the neighbouring countries. Lupus nephritis was also observed at a relatively increased incidence compared with the West. On the other hand, amyloidosis and IgA nephropathy were less common, 5% for each.

Adult↗