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Biomedical subjects

W A Jurewicz

Publications and source records attributed to W A Jurewicz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Sequential changes in plasma selenium concentration after cadaveric renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Previous investigations have shown that plasma selenium concentrations are significantly lower in patients with established chronic graft nephropathy (CGN) than in healthy transplant controls. The aims of this study were to determine when in the transplant process low selenium concentrations become apparent and to explore the relationship between selenium levels and risk factors for CGN. METHODS: Plasma selenium concentrations were measured in 40 patients (20 receiving cyclosporin, 20 receiving tacrolimus) undergoing transplantation. Samples were obtained immediately before transplantation and at 3, 6 and 12 months after transplantation. RESULTS: A low plasma selenium concentration was found in 30 patients at the time of transplantation but this had normalized in the majority of patients by 3 months. Plasma selenium concentrations at 3, 6 and 12 months were significantly higher than baseline values for both treatment arms, but were significantly lower at 3 months in patients who experienced either clinical acute rejection (CAR) or cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection during the preceding months. CONCLUSION: Low plasma selenium concentrations are common at the time of transplantation but appear to normalize thereafter. The identification of low selenium levels in patients who experience CAR or CMV (two important risk factors for clinically apparent CGN) suggests that the relationship between selenium and CGN warrants further investigation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Transmission of donor melanoma to multiple organ transplant recipients.

Malignant melanoma represents the most common tumour responsible for donor-derived post transplantation malignancies. We report the varied presentation and outcome of three graft recipients (two kidney and hepatic) who developed metastatic melanoma following cadaveric organ transplantation from a single multiorgan donor. Two of the recipients presented with symptomatic metastatic lesions and the third patient, despite being carefully monitored, developed evidence of metastatic cutaneous melanoma. Two of the patients died as a direct result of their melanomas. The recipients of corneal and cardiac grafts remain disease-free. We conclude that despite careful screening, donor-derived tumours remain a not uncommon clinical entity. The identification of a lesion in one recipient should prompt immediate examination and investigation of the remaining recipients of multiorgan donations.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Is selenium deficiency an important risk factor for chronic graft nephropathy? A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Lipid peroxidation by free radicals is a key step in the development of atherosclerosis. Chronic graft nephropathy (CGN) is a common cause of allograft failure and shares many histologic features with atherosclerosis. Although hyperlipidemia is a common finding in renal transplant recipients, not all patients develop CGN. We hypothesized that the degree of damage sustained is related to recipient antioxidant status and that only those who are antioxidant deficient succumb to free radical attack and develop CGN. We aimed to determine the antioxidant profiles of patients with biopsy-proven CGN and to compare their profiles to transplant patients with good renal function. METHODS: Plasma selenium and vitamin A and E concentrations were measured in 10 patients with CGN and 10 contemporaneous, sex-matched patients with normal renal graft function, who received the same immunosuppressive therapy. RESULTS: Patients with CGN had significantly lower plasma selenium concentrations compared with those with normal renal allograft function (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in plasma vitamin A or E concentrations between the two groups. There was no difference in the prevalence of any of the immunologic or nonimmunologic risk factors: human leukocyte antigen mismatches, panel-reactive antibody status, number of rejection episodes, cold ischemic time, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and cytomegalovirus infection between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CGN have evidence of selenium deficiency, suggesting that impaired antioxidant status may contribute to the development of CGN.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Conversion from cyclosporin (Neoral) to tacrolimus (Prograf) in renal allograft recipients with chronic graft nephropathy: results of an observational study.

To evaluate the role of tacrolimus in the treatment of Chronic Graft Nephropathy (CGN), a pilot cross-sectional study was performed on 14 patients with deteriorating renal function and biopsy-proven CGN. Maintenance therapy was switched from cyclosporin to tacrolimus, and results of conversion on allograft function were assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and clinical outcome. Minimum follow-up was 15 months. Two distinctive response patterns emerged: (i) continuing deterioration of renal function with no apparent benefit over the projected trend of GFR (nine patients), and (ii) unequivocal change in the GFR trend line equation with reduced rate of deterioration in one patient and sustained improvement of GFR in four patients (reversal of downward trend). Five out of 14 patients (36 %) benefited from replacing Neoral with Prograf. All five patients exceeded their estimated time of return to dialysis by a median of 41 weeks (range: 29-52) and their grafts continue to function.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1998

Single centre experience with mycophenolate mofetil for refractory rejection in cadaveric renal transplantation.

Ten patients with refractory rejection following renal transplantation were treated with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in an attempt to salvage the allografts. All cases of rejection were biopsy-proven. Seven of the patients had initially been on tacrolimus-based triple therapy and three were on cyclosporin-based regimens. Those on cyclosporin had been unsuccessfully converted to tacrolimus prior to receiving MMF. All patients had received at least one course of methylprednisolone pulse therapy and three had been given OKT3 prior to MMF. MMF was prescribed at a dose of 2000 mg per day in two divided doses and was given in addition to tacrolimus and prednisolone. Eight of the ten patients showed evidence of reversal of rejection, as indicated by improvement in renal function following commencement on MMF, whilst two patients experienced ongoing rejection and underwent graft nephrectomy. One of the patients successfully treated has since had his MMF discontinued due to gastrointestinal intolerance. We conclude that MMF is effective in salvaging renal allografts with resistant rejection and that it has an acceptable side-effect profile.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Conversion of renal transplant recipients from cyclosporin to low-dose tacrolimus for refractory rejection.

Twenty-five patients with refractory rejection following renal transplantation were converted from cyclosporin to tacrolimus in an attempt to salvage the allografts. All patients had received two or three pulses of methylprednisolone, 6 had OKT3, 14 had antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and 2 had both OKT3 and ATG prior to conversion. The median time from transplantation to conversion to tacrolimus was 32 days (range 12-322). Patients underwent a simple switch from cyclosporin- to tacrolimusbased therapy with tacrolimus administered at a median dose of 0.15 mg/kg per day. Doses were adjusted according to clinical response and trough blood levels. Twenty-one of the 25 patients (84%) with refractory rejection showed evidence of reversal of rejection as indicated by a significant reduction in serum creatinine (Student's paired t-test, P < 0.05) following conversion to tacrolimus. None of these patients had further episodes of rejection. Three patients had ongoing rejection and returned to dialysis, and 1 patient showed deteriorating renal function associated with a cytomegalovirus infection. Of 18 patients currently on tacrolimus, 15 have improved renal function and 3 have shown no further deterioration. We conclude that low-dose tacrolimus appears to be effective in salvaging renal allografts with resistant rejection.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Conversion of renal transplant recipients from cyclosporin (neoral) to tacrolimus (prograf) for haemolytic uraemic syndrome.

Five patients with cyclosporin-related haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) following cadaveric renal transplantation were converted from cyclosporin- to tacrolimus-based immunosuppression. All patients had biochemical, haematological and biopsy evidence of HUS at the time of conversion. Four of the patients showed complete resolution of the syndrome within 1 week of conversion with normalisation of haemoglobin, platelets and lactate dehydrogenase levels. In the fifth patient renal function stabilised with slow resolution of the haematological and biochemical parameters. Four of the five patients are still taking tacrolimus, one having converted back to cyclosporin due to marked hair loss. We conclude that conversion to tacrolimus appears to be an effective treatment for cyclosporin-related HUS following renal transplantation.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Prospective randomised study comparing tacrolimus (Prograf) and cyclosporin (Neoral) as primary immunosuppression in cadaveric renal transplants at a single institution: interim report of the first 80 cases.

As part of an ongoing study, 80 patients undergoing cadaveric renal transplantation were randomised to receive either Prograf [PTT (patients receiving Prograf); n = 40]- or Neoral [NTT (patients receiving Neoral); n = 40]-based immunosuppression as part of a triple therapy regimen. Prograf was commenced at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg per day and Neoral at 8 mg/kg per day. Both groups received identical azathioprine and corticosteroid regimens. Trough levels for Prograf were maintained between 5 and 15 ng/ml and for Neoral between 100 and 200 ng/ml. During the 3-month follow up 40% of PTT and 33% of NTT experienced biopsy-proven acute rejection. In each group 81% of rejection episodes were classified as either borderline or grade 1. The median 3-month serum creatinine levels were 128 mumol/l and 135 mumol/l, respectively, for PTT and NTT. Six grafts were lost in the NTT group including three deaths with functioning grafts whilst none were lost in the PTT group (chi 2, P < 0.02). The prevalence of other complications was similar for the two groups. We conclude that Prograf represents an effective and safe therapy as a primary immunosuppressive agent following cadaveric renal transplantation and appears to have a similar side-effect profile to Neoral.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Management of inguinal herniae in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: an audit of current UK practice.

Patients receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis are at increased risk for the development of inguinal herniae, with a reported prevalence of 14%. Elective hernia repair is indicated for these patients as strangulation is associated with a high mortality in this population. There are currently no national guidelines relating to the optimal peri-operative management of these patients, in particular the appropriate pre- and post-operative dialysis regimen. The aim of the current study was to evaluate current practice in the UK by means of a postal questionnaire sent to all centres undertaking renal transplantation. Replies were received from 34/37 centres. The principal study finding was the wide variation in surgical practice between different centres with regard to pre- and post-operative dialysis regimes. Only 44% of centres had an established protocol. Based upon the study findings we have devised a protocol that we hope to see implemented into UK practice. Following its introduction, a re-assessment will be performed and the audit cycle completed.

Clinical Protocols↗
PubMed1985

111-Indium platelets in monitoring pancreatic allografts in man.

A technique for monitoring pancreatic allografts in man is presented. The method utilizes 111-indium labelled autologous platelets and provides quantitative and qualitative analysis of uptake of the tracer by the graft. Five patients without any significant accumulation of radiolabelled platelets in their transplants had an uneventful recovery and left hospital with satisfactory graft function. The three patients who suffered graft failure showed abnormal uptake of the tracer. This presented as a diffuse platelet accumulation within the transplanted pancreas in the case of acute rejection, or as a focal accumulation in two cases of venous thrombosis. Minor complications such as perigraft haematoma can also be diagnosed using this technique. We suggest that 111-indium labelled platelets provide a valuable diagnostic aid in the management of pancreatic transplant recipients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

The current state of liver and pancreas transplantation.

The last 20 years have seen progressive developments in the field of clinical transplantation and in many countries kidney transplantation is now the most cost effective manner of treating renal failure. With increasing technical experience failures have become less common and newer immunosuppressive protocols incorporating cyclosporin A can frequently achieve a graft success rate of over 75% at one year with patient survival over 95%. In addition, the patient receiving a kidney graft attains a high quality of rehabilitation. If renal transplantation has now gained wide acceptance other forms of organ transplantation are still in a phase of development and have not yet reached wide acceptance. It is the purpose of this review to present briefly the current clinical status of two forms of solid organ transplantation being employed in clinical practice.

Adolescent↗