PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

L A Castro

Publications and source records attributed to L A Castro.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Renal changes in cytomegalovirus infection.

Renal biopsy was performed in 20 graft recipients to characterise the histological features associated with poor renal function concomitant with cytomegalovirus infection (CMV). Eight patients presented with proteinuria, three had microscopic haematuria at onset, and five were hypertensive. Infection was accompanied by clinical symptoms (fever, leucopenia, mild hepatic damage, or pneumonitis) in 15 patients. In all cases, serum creatinine was greater than 2 mg/dl. All patients showed some glomerular alteration on biopsy, and vascular changes were the predominant feature in seven cases. IgM and complement (C3) were found in the glomeruli of five of six patients studied by immunofluorescence. Serum creatinine was below 2 mg/dl at ten to 26 months following the infectious episode in four patients and between 2-3 mg/dl in three patients. The remaining 13 developed irreversible rejection and end-stage renal failure. We conclude that CMV, the most commonly recognised viral infection following transplantation, can cause renal changes, both glomerular (CMV glomerulopathy) and vascular (transplant vasculopathy), which may induce poor graft function.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1981

[Gynaecological problems in women patients on dialysis treatment and in women following renal transplants (author's transl)].

Women patients on permanent dialysis treatment or after transplants display on the whole an increased rate of malignomas; however, it has so far not been possible to assess the relevant incidence in a uniform manner. Hence, regular gynaecological examination should be the rule in order to detect and treat carcinoma risk changes in the genital region. Within the framework of a special gynaecological consultation for renal patients we found in 81 women patients under dialysis treatment one patient with carcinoma of the cervix and one patient with corpus carcinoma. In two cases a cystic ovarial tumour was operated on. To date the 21 patients who had undergone renal transplant surgery did not show any malignant change in the genital region. Choice of contraceptives should rule out the intrauterine device because of the increased hazard of infection under immunosuppressive treatment. Ovulation inhibitors with higher oestrogen doses represent an additional hypertensive risk. Treatment with low-dosage gestagens should produce the lowest rate of side effects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Suppressor cell activity in human renal allograft recipients.

Eighty-nine kidney allograft recipients with one or more graft rejection episodes were monitored for suppressor cell activity in the peripheral blood at two day intervals. The impact of rejection and immunosuppressive therapy (ALG) on the one hand and the recovery of suppressor activity on the other hand during long-term graft survival could be demonstrated. The suppressor activity of peripheral lymphocytes after amplification in vitro by Concanavalin A was measured on PHA stimulated cultures. It is reduced after operation trauma and during rejection episodes when tested in PHA stimulated cultures. This loss of suppressor activity is even more marked when suppressor cells are added to allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions. Depletion of adherent cells reduces this suppressor activity, indicating that two different populations of mononuclear cells are responsible for this in vitro effect. Immunosuppressive therapy and additional ALG treatment abolishes suppressor activity in most cases. Highest suppressor activity was monitored in seven patients with excellent long term graft survival after ALG therapy.

Concanavalin A↗
PubMed1980

[Renal transplantation in Munich. Present status (author's transl)].

In the last four years 125 renal transplantations were performed at the Transplantation Center in Munich. The mortality rate after transplantation could be lowered to below 10% in the first year; on the other hand the rate of loss of transplants observed in the Center was 40% in the same period. After mentioning the individual surgical complications following renal transplantation with reference to our own patients. The effect of blood transfusions on the survival time of the transplant is dealt with. It was found that transplant survival rate increased with the rise in the number of blood transfusions before the transplantation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

[Pregnancy following renal transplants (author's transl)].

Women with uremia are usually infertile. Following successful renal transplants ovarian function resumes and conception becomes possible. Two cases of pregnancy following renal transplants are reported. The first patient had a Caesarean section at 33 weeks gestation for maternal indications, the second patient had a Caesarean section at 36 weeks gestation because of premature spontaneous rupture of the membranes. Both mothers and infants are in satisfactory condition. The problems of pregnancies following renal transplants are discussed and the literature since 1963 is reviewed. Pregnancy following renal transplantation is a high risk pregnancy for both the mother and the fetus. These high risks are acceptable if close supervision of the pregnancy by the nephrologist, gynaecologist and paediatrician are possible and if co-operation of the mother is satisfactory.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Sorbent membranes used in a conventional dialyzer format. In vitro and clinical evaluation.

The possibility of installing sorbent membranes into proven dialyzer configurations could result in certain advantages over dialyzers with conventional membranes. A sorbent membrane dialyzer might prove superior in that it allows a higher clearance in the middle molecule molecular weight range, thereby shortening dialysis time and possibly allowing a reduction in the amount of dialysate fluid required. Finally, this device could be used without dialysate if the technician's goal is to eliminate a single substance readily adsorbed by charcoal. For example, this would apply to the treatment of certain intoxications. In vitro data were established for six substances in the molecular weight range of 60 to 5200 daltons and compared to corresponding results for conventional Cuprophan dialyzers. Clinical evaluation of sorbent membrane dialyzers for patients with uremia and intoxication, both with and without use of dialysate, has proven effective with no adverse reactions.

Adsorption↗