Studies on amphotericin B (AmB) nephrotoxicity use diverse definitions of acute kidney injury (AKI). Here, we used the new Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO) system to describe the incidence, predictors, and impact of AmB-induced AKI on hospital mortality in 162 patients treated with AmB (120 with deoxycholate preparation and 42 with liposomal preparation). KDIGO stage 1 requires an absolute increase of ≥0.3 mg/dl or ≥1.5× over baseline serum creatinine (SCr), while stage 2 requires ≥2×, and stage 3 requires ≥3×. A binary KDIGO definition (KDIGObin) corresponds to stage ≥1. For comparison, we included two definitions of AKI traditionally utilized in nephrotoxicity studies: ≥0.5 mg/dl (NT0.5) and ≥2× (NT2×) increase in baseline SCr. The overall incidence of AmB-induced AKI by KDIGObin was 58.6% (stage 1, 30.9%; stage 2, 18.5%; stage 3, 9.3%). Predictors of AKI by KDIGObin were older age and use of furosemide and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I). Traditional criteria detected lower incidences of AKI, at 45.1% (NT0.5) and 27.8% (NT2×). Predictors of AKI by traditional criteria were older age and use of vancomycin (NT0.5) and use of vancomycin and vasopressors (NT2×). KDIGObin detected AKI 2 days earlier than the most sensitive traditional criterion. However, only traditional criteria were associated with intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation, and mortality. In conclusion, the increase in sensitivity of KDIGObin is accompanied by a loss of specificity and ability to predict outcomes. Prospective studies are required to weigh the potential gain from early AKI detection against the potential loss from undue changes in management in patients with subtle elevations in SCr.

Determine the prevalence and identify predictors of hypovitaminosis D in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); 2) correlate vitamin D levels with variables indicative of glycemic control and cardiovascular risk. We conducted a cross-sectional study with consecutive patients treated at a University Hospital’s Endocrinology outpatient clinic located at 12°58′S latitude, between October 2012 and November 2013. Hypovitaminosis D was defined as 25-hydroxyvitamin D < 30 ng/mL (chemiluminescence). We evaluated 108 patients with mean duration of T2DM of 14.34 ± 8.05 years and HbA1c of 9.2 ± 2.1%. Mean age was 58.29 ± 10.34 years. Most were women (72.2%), non-white (89.8%) and had hypertension (75.9%) and dyslipidemia (76.8%). Mean BMI was 28.01 ± 4.64 kg/m2; 75.9% were overweight. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was 62%. In multiple logistic regression, independent predictors of hypovitaminosis D were female gender (OR 3.10, p = 0.02), dyslipidemia (OR 6.50, p < 0.01) and obesity (OR 2.55, p = 0.07). In multiple linear regression, only total cholesterol (β = −0.36, p < 0.01) and BMI (β = −0.21, p = 0.04) remained associated with levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Using currently recommended cutoffs, the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in Brazilians with T2DM was as high as that of non-tropical regions. Female gender, dyslipidemia and obesity were predictors of hypovitaminosis D. Low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were correlated with high cholesterol and BMI values. Future studies are needed to evaluate whether vitamin D replacement would improve these parameters and reduce hard cardiovascular outcomes.

Determination of the neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) level can be used to detect acute kidney injury (AKI) earlier than determination of the serum creatinine (SCr) level in settings such as cardiac surgery, contrast nephropathy, and intensive care units. We hypothesized that urine NGAL (UrNGAL) would be an early biomarker of drug nephrotoxicity. To test this, we studied hemodynamically stable patients treated with amphotericin B (AmB). We measured the SCr and UrNGAL levels at the baseline and daily after initiation of AmB up to day 14 or development of AKI by the use of the SCr criterion. AKI was defined according to a Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criterion (an increase in the SCr level by ≥0.3 mg/dl within 48 h or an SCr level ≥1.5 times the baseline level within 7 days). We studied 24 patients with a mean age of 48.4 ± 16.4 years. Most patients were male, and the patients received AmB (12 received AmB deoxycholate and 12 received liposomal AmB) for the treatment of leishmaniasis (91.7%). Overall, 17/24 patients fulfilled a KDIGO criterion for AKI. Peak UrNGAL levels were higher in patients with AKI than in patients without AKI and in recipients of AmB deoxycholate than in recipients of liposomal AmB. The diagnostic performance of the UrNGAL level on day 5 for the detection of AKI was moderate, with the area under the curve (AUC) being 0.68 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.41 to 0.95). In the subgroup receiving AmB deoxycholate, however, the AUC rose to 0.89 (95% CI, 0.67 to 1.00). In a patient-level analysis, we found that AKI could be detected 3.2 days earlier by the use of the UrNGAL criterion than by the use of the SCr criterion (times to AKI by the UrNGAL and SCr criteria, 3.7 ± 2.5 versus 6.9 ± 3.3 days, respectively; P = 0.001). Future studies should evaluate if a treatment strategy oriented toward evaluation of UrNGAL levels will improve outcomes. These findings for AmB-induced AKI in leishmaniasis patients could serve as a basis for the investigation of urine biomarkers in the early detection of drug nephrotoxicity in other clinical settings.

A previously healthy 19 year-old male presented to the hospital with anorexia, nausea, and vomiting. Laboratory studies were significant for hypercalcemia (peak calcium value of 14.8 mg/dL) and acute kidney injury (peak serum creatinine of 2.88 mg/dL). He admitted to using a parenteral formulation of vitamins A, D and E restricted for veterinary use containing 20,000,000 IU of vitamin A; 5,000,000 IU of vitamin D3; and 6,800 IU of vitamin E per 100 mL vial. The patient stated to have used close to 300 mL of the product over the preceding year. Interestingly, the young man was not interested in the massive amounts of vitamins that the product contained; he was only after the local effects of the oily vehicle. The swelling produced by the injection resulted in a silicone-like effect, which gave the impression of bigger muscles. Nevertheless, the product was absorbed and caused hypervitaminosis. The serum level of 25(OH) vitamin D was clearly elevated at 150 ng/mL (reference range from 30 to 60 ng/mL), but in most published cases of vitamin D toxicity, serum levels have been well above 200 ng/mL. His PTH level was undetectable and other potential causes of hypercalcemia were excluded. Therefore, we posit that the severity of the hypercalcemia observed in this case was the result of a synergistic effect of vitamins A and D. The patient was treated with normal saline, furosemide and zolendronic acid, with rapid normalization of calcium levels and renal function. Um rapaz de 19 anos, previamente hígido, procurou o hospital com queixas de anorexia, náuseas e vômitos. Exames laboratoriais revelaram hipercalcemia (valor máximo do cálcio de 14,8 mg/dL) e lesão renal aguda (valor máximo da creatinina de 2,88 mg/dL). O paciente admitiu utilizar uma formulação parenteral de vitaminas A, D e E de uso exclusivo veterinário, contendo 20.000.000 UI de vitamina A; 5.000.000 UI de vitamina D3 e 6.800 UI de vitamina E, por ampola de 100 mL. Ele refere ter usado cerca de 300 mL do produto no último ano. O jovem não estava interessado na quantidade maciça de vitaminas contida no produto, mas apenas no efeito local do veículo oleoso; o edema provocado pela injeção simulava um aumento de massa muscular. O produto, no entanto, foi absorvido e causou hipervitaminose. O nível sérico de 25(OH) vitamina D estava claramente elevado em 150 ng/mL (referência de 30 a 60 ng/mL), mas não tanto quanto em outros casos publicados de intoxicação por vitamina D. A maioria dos casos de hipercalcemia por hipervitaminose D se associa a níveis de 25 (OH)D bem maiores do que 200 ng/mL. O PTH estava indetectável, e outras causas de hipercalcemia foram excluídas. Deste modo, conclui-se que a gravidade da hipercalcemia encontrada neste caso foi resultado do efeito sinérgico da intoxicação pelas vitaminas A e D. O paciente foi tratado com soro fisiológico, furosemida e ácido zolendrônico e evoluiu com normalização rápida dos níveis séricos de cálcio e da função renal

Infection with the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1), although asymptomatic in most cases, can lead to potentially grave consequences, such as adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy / tropical spastic paraparesis. Its prevalence varies widely across different populations and geographic regions. A population-based study in the city of Salvador, located in the Northeast region of Brazil, showed an overall prevalence of HTLV-1 seropositivity of 1.7%. Blood borne virus infections are recognized as important hazards for patients and staff in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) units but most studies focus on hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency viruses. There are scarce data about HTLV-1 infection in the MHD population. We aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors for HTLV-1 infection among MHD patients in the city of Salvador-Bahia, Brazil. We conducted a multi-center, cross-sectional study nested in a prospective cohort of MHD patients enrolled from four outpatient clinics. HTLV-1 screening was performed with ELISA and positive cases were confirmed by Western Blot. Factors associated with HTLV-1 seropositivity were identified by multivariable logistic regression. 605 patients were included in the study. The overall prevalence of HTLV-1 infection was 2.48% (15/605), which was similar to that of hepatitis B [1.98% (12/605)] and C [3.14% (19/605)] viruses in our sample. HTLV-1 seropositivity was positively associated with age [prevalence odds ratio (POR) 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.08], unmarried status (POR 3.65; 95% CI 1.13–11.65), and history of blood transfusion (POR 3.35; 95% CI 1.01–11.13). The overall prevalence of HTLV-1 infection in a sample of MHD patients was similar to that of other viral infections, such as hepatitis B and C. Our data revealed that MHD patients who are older, unmarried or who have received blood transfusions are at higher risk for HTLV-1 infection.