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Biomedical subjects

M Carmody

Publications and source records attributed to M Carmody.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Cytomegalovirus infection as a complication of OKT3 therapy in kidney transplant recipients.

We compared the incidence of clinical CMV illness in 25 renal transplant recipients treated with OKT3 for steroid resistant cellular rejection with 88 renal transplant patients treated only with conventional immunosuppression (cyclosporin A and steroids). Nine (36%) patients in the OKT3 group developed CMV illness compared to (2.3%) amongst those treated conventionally (p < 0.0005). Patients who received OKT3 were divided into four groups according to the CMV antibody status of the donor and recipient. Six of the 9 episodes of CMV infection occurred in patients not previously exposed to CMV, who received a kidney from a CMV positive donor. Three (12%) of the patients treated with OKT3 died of CMV disease. A further 2 patients died of other causes giving an overall mortality in the OKT3 treated group of 20%. We concluded that when OKT3 therapy is used in association with donor/recipient CMV mismatch it is associated with a high CMV morbidity and mortality.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Pharmacokinetics of oral acetyl-L-carnitine in renal impairment.

Acetyl-L-carnitine 1.5 g and 3.0 g was administered as three divided doses on each of two occasions to 24 people with varying renal failure (creatinine clearance 127-8 ml.min-1). Plasma and urinary concentrations of total-L-carnitine, free (non-esterified) carnitine, short-chain esters and acetyl-L-carnitine were measured. The baseline (pre-study) concentrations of all four substances were related to renal function. Patients whose creatinine clearance was below about 30-40 ml.min-1 were had the highest concentrations. Renal elimination of all four substances was related to dose and to renal function. There was evidence for dose-related elimination, with greater elimination of the larger dose.

Acetylcarnitine↗
PubMed1990

The use of cyclosporin A in adult nephrotic syndrome: nine cases and literature review.

Nine adult patients with resistant nephrotic syndrome were treated with cyclosporin A (CyA). All had failed to respond to high dose corticosteroids with or without cyclophosphamide. Three patients had minimal change disease, 3 had focal sclerosing glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), 2 had mesangiocapillary GN, and one had membranous nephropathy. The mean age of the patients was 26.4 years (range 16 to 39 years). CyA was given orally twice daily at a mean dose of 6.7 mg/kg/24 hours (range 6-10 mg/kg/24 hours). Four patients achieved full remission, two patients went into partial remission and three failed to respond. Two patients developed clinical nephrotoxicity, which reversed on dose reduction or cessation of CyA. All 3 patients with minimal change disease who responded subsequently relapsed after stopping CyA, but remitted rapidly on reintroduction of the drug. We suggest that the mode of action of CyA in nephrotic syndrome may be related to intra-renal vasoconstriction in addition to its direct immunosuppressive effect. In this limited series, we found that CyA can be an effective therapy for otherwise refractory nephrotic syndrome, although relapse on withdrawal of CyA may well be a significant clinical problem.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Clinical and histopathologic findings in adults with the nephrotic syndrome.

The clinical and histopathologic findings in 225 Irish adults with nephrotic syndrome were reviewed. Membranous nephropathy was the most common lesion found (28%), followed by proliferative glomerulonephritis (17%), and focal sclerosing glomerulonephritis (16%). Minimal change disease was the least frequent cause for idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (12%). The major secondary cause of nephrotic syndrome was amyloidosis (13%). The patients were analysed for the predictive value of the level of renal function, presence or absence of hypertension, and the degree of proteinuria. It was not possible to determine the nature of the underlying lesion giving rise to the nephrotic syndrome using any of these variables. There was also no significant difference between primary and secondary glomerular disease with regard to these factors. It is concluded that renal biopsy remains the only definitive method of establishing the underlying lesion causing idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Acute renal failure and non-Hodgkins lymphoma in a patient with minimal change glomerulonephritis.

Two rare features of minimal change glomerulonephritis occurring together in an adult patient are described. A 70-year-old man presented with acute renal failure and the nephrotic syndrome. Investigation revealed minimal change glomerulonephritis and non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Anti-lymphoma treatment reversed both the renal failure and the nephrotic syndrome. Minimal change glomerulonephritis, as a cause of acute renal failure and as a manifestation of malignancy, is briefly reviewed.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1990

The management of hydrothorax in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

Four patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) developed large, symptomatic pleural effusions after commencing peritoneal dialysis. Pleuroperitoneal fistula in each case was diagnosed by the presence of a high glucose content in pleural fluid, with a normal corresponding blood sugar, and was confirmed by isotope or contrast peritoneography. Two patients had their effusions drained percutaneously, and then underwent pleural sclerosis with intracavitary tetracycline. Two patients had a thoracotomy performed, of which no fistula was identified in one case, and the other patient underwent pleurectomy. All four patients successfully recommenced CAPD several weeks after therapy, without recurrence of effusions. We conclude that pleuroperitoneal connections associated with CAPD do not mandate cessation of peritoneal dialysis and conversion to maintenance haemodialysis. Definitive diagnosis requires aspiration of pleural effusions for glucose estimation. Contrast or isotopic peritoneography is helpful in localising the fistula, but in our experience did not alter management. Simple sclerotherapy is effective and avoids the need for a formal thoracotomy.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Familial adult medullary cystic disease with spastic quadriparesis: a new disease association.

We present two cases of familial adult medullary cystic disease with spastic quadriparesis, an association not previously described. Previous extrarenal associations of the nephronophthisis-medullary cystic disease complex were reported exclusively in childhood cases. Both patients have undergone successful cadaveric renal transplantation, with no evidence of their renal disease recurring. Further work is needed to elucidate the complex genetics of nephronophthisis.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1990

Prevalence of hereditary renal disease.

Little information is available concerning hereditary renal disease in the Irish population. We studied the prevalence and types of hereditary renal disease that lead to end stage renal failure by looking at the underlying hereditary disease in our dialysis populations and in all patients transplanted at the national unit. Twenty eight (15.7%) of 178 dialysis patients had hereditary renal disease with a mean age of 31 years (range nine to 65), and a male to female ratio of 1.54:1. Eighty-nine of 842 patients (10.3%) with renal transplants had hereditary renal disease with a male to female ratio of 1.63:1. The commonest entity was autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (68% in dialysis patients, 64% in transplants), and the next most frequent was Alport's syndrome (21.4%, 16.9%). Nephronophthisis was the third most common problem (10.7%, 10.1%) followed by hereditary non-Alport's nephritis, Fabry's disease, cystinosis and familial interstitial nephritis. The high prevalence of hereditary renal disease among the dialysis and renal transplant population emphasises the need for proper registration of the nature of renal disease in this group, and for a comprehensive genetic counselling service in this country.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Pharmacokinetics of amlodipine in renal impairment.

Amlodipine was administered as 14 single 5-mg oral daily doses to 27 male subjects with renal function ranging from normal to haemodialysis-dependent. Blood specimens were obtained for measurement of plasma amlodipine concentrations for 24 h following the first dose, for 168 h following the final dose and during daily administration of amlodipine. Amlodipine was well tolerated. Renal impairment had little effect on the pharmacokinetics of amlodipine. The elimination half-life was of the order of 50 h, similar to previously reported values and did not vary with renal function. Steady-state pre-dose concentrations were observed after the ninth dose. Accumulation of amlodipine was not significantly different from that expected on theoretical grounds and did not significantly change with renal function. These results suggest that once daily administration of amlodipine is suitable for all degrees of renal function and that dosage adjustment is not necessary in renal impairment.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Living related renal transplantation in Ireland: a sixteen year review.

Between January 1972 and December 1987, a total of 777 transplants were performed of which 135 (17%) were living related. There were 108 sibling donors, 25 parent to child and 2 child to parent. All sibling transplants were HLA identical. Conventional immunosuppression with Prednisone and Azathioprine was used in all cases. Actuarial patient survival were 95%, 91% and 88% at 1, 5 and 10 years respectively. Corresponding actuarial graft survivals were 90%, 80% and 60%. Graft survival in the sibling compared to the parent to child group was 87% versus 60% at 5 years. There were 13 deaths during the study interval and 32 grafts were lost. Five year patient/graft survivals of 91/80% compare favourably with other reported series. The poorer outcome in parent to child transplants has led us to modify the immunosuppressive protocol to include Cyclosporin A in this group. The increased availability and improved survival of cadaveric grafts in recent years and our one year patient/graft survival of 92/88% has led us to reduce emphasis on living related transplantation in our renal replacement programme.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Systemic vasculitis with renal involvement--a review.

Twenty five patients with renal vasculitis presenting over an eight year period were reviewed. Ten had microscopic polyarteritis, 6 classic polyarteritis, 5 overlap syndrome, 2 Churg-Strauss syndrome and 2 Wegener's granulomatosis. Clinical features included hypertension, pulmonary involvement, neurological involvement and arthralgia. Serum creatinine was over 500 umol/l in 13 patients, 10 of whom required dialysis. Visceral angiography was positive in 80% of those studied, Focal and segmental necrotising glomerulonephritis was the commonest renal lesion. Treatment consisted of corticosteroids and cytotoxic agents in most cases. Plasmapheresis was used for rapidly progressive renal failure, severe pulmonary haemorrhage or cerebral vasculitis. Improvement or stabilisation of renal function was seen in 68% of patients treated. There were 4 early deaths and one late death. The diagnosis, histology, treatment and outcome of renal vasculitis is discussed. The importance of early diagnosis and treatment is emphasised in this potentially reversible cause of acute renal failure.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1989

Recurrent glomerulonephritis in renal transplants: fourteen years' experience.

A retrospective study of the clinical records and biopsy specimens of all transplants performed between 1974 and 1987 was carried out. Recurrent glomerulonephritis was diagnosed only in those patients who had precise histological classification of their original disease. Of a total of 737 transplants performed in 633 recipients. 603 were from cadaveric and 134 from living related donors. Of 295 patients who were clinically classed as having chronic glomerulonephritis, histological confirmation was available in 156 (54%) as follows: membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis 34%, diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis 27%, crescentic glomerulonephritis 13% IgA neuropathy 10%, focal sclerosing glomerulonephritis 10%, and membranous nephropathy 7%. There were 24 cases of recurrence in 23 recipients. Of these, 16 occurred in living-related and 8 in cadaveric grafts. Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis recurred in 14 (8 type I and 6 type II), focal sclerosing glomerulonephritis in 5, IgA neuropathy in 3, crescentic glomerulonephritis in 1 and membranous nephropathy in 1. Graft failure occurred in 13 patients (54%) and was directly attributable to recurrent disease in 12. Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis caused 8 graft losses, focal sclerosing glomerulonephritis 2, IgA 1 and crescentic glomerulonephritis 1. Recurrence caused graft loss in 50% of cases in which it occurred. The overall incidence of recurrence was 18%. In contrast to other series, a significantly higher incidence of recurrence was seen in our living-related group.

Cadaver↗
PubMed1988

Pharmacokinetics of amlodipine in renal impairment.

The pharmacokinetics of amlodipine was studied in 27 subjects with renal function ranging from normal to dialysis-dependent. Amlodipine (as a single 5-mg capsule) was administered once daily for 14 days and its plasma concentrations were measured by gas chromatography during and after treatment. Renal impairment had little or no effect on the pharmacokinetics of amlodipine. The elimination half-life was of the order of 50 h, similar to previously observed values, and did not vary with differences in renal function. Steady-state predose concentrations were observed after the ninth dose. Accumulation of amlodipine to steady-state levels was not significantly different from that expected on theoretical grounds and did not significantly change with renal function. These results suggest that once-daily administration of amlodipine is suitable for all degrees of renal function and that dosage adjustment is not necessary in renal impairment.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Pharmacokinetics of lisinopril, enalapril and enalaprilat in renal failure: effects of haemodialysis.

1. Lisinopril and enalapril were administered as 2.5 mg single doses and as eight single daily 2.5 mg doses to separate groups of six patients with chronic renal failure. Patients were receiving regular haemodialysis. 2. In the absence of haemodialysis, the decline in plasma concentrations of lisinopril and enalaprilat was extremely slow and plasma concentrations were generally high. 3. Haemodialysis had large effects on plasma concentrations of lisinopril and enalaprilat. A 4 h period reduced plasma concentrations of both drugs by around one-half and often by significantly more than this. Even 1 or 2 h of haemodialysis had significant effects. 4. Haemodialysis plasma clearance was similar for both drugs with mean values of the order of 40 ml min-1. Clearance did not markedly differ when measured after 1, 2 or 4 h of haemodialysis or after single or multiple doses of lisinopril or enalapril. 5. The design of dosage regimens of both lisinopril and enalapril for patients with severe renal impairment or chronic renal failure should take into consideration the use and effects of haemodialysis.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Aluminium encephalopathy: clinical and immunological features.

Aluminium encephalopathy is a specific syndrome occurring in dialysis patients and linked to high aluminium levels in dialysis water. We present the features of 38 cases seen in a single dialysis and transplantation unit. Serum immunoglobulin levels and the prevalence of histocompatibility antigens are discussed. The syndrome in its complete form is specific and easily recognizable. Careful attention to premonitory symptoms may lead to earlier diagnosis.

Aluminum↗
PubMed1986

Aluminum-related bone disease. Correlation between symptoms, osteoid volume, and aluminum staining.

In order to correlate symptoms, osteoid volume, and aluminum deposition in bone, 46 methacrylate-embedded biopsy specimens from 26 hemodialysis patients were examined. Osteoid volume was measured using computer-assisted morphometric analysis, and aluminum was detected using the Aluminon stain. Positive staining for aluminum was present in biopsies from 21 patients. Osteoid volume did not correlate with duration of dialysis therapy or ingestion of aluminum hydroxide but displayed a logarithmic relationship with dialysate aluminum exposure. Patients with bone pain at the time of biopsy had a greater degree of hyperosteoidosis than asymptomatic subjects. Osteoid volume in patients with fractures and positive aluminum staining decreased on withdrawal from aluminum-rich dialysate. The Aluminon staining technic is a convenient method of confirming aluminum overload.

Aluminum↗