Browsing by Author "Korkmaz, Murat"

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Effect of HLA on Hepatitis C Virus Clearance and Persistence in Anti-HCV-positive End-stage Renal Disease Patients
(2014) Ocal, Serkan; Selcuk, Haldun; Korkmaz, Murat; Altun, Reskan; Yildirim, Abdullah E.; Akbas, Enver; 24976281
Background/Aims: The efficacy of immune response against hepatitis C virus (HCV) is determined by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules of the host which present HCV antigens to CD4+ and CD8+ Tlymphocytes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible relationship between the frequencies of certain HLA class I-II alleles and the natural history of HCV in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Settings and Design: This is a retrospective cohort study conducted in a university hospital. Patients and Methods: The present study comprised 189 ESRD patients (candidates for renal transplantation) who had positive anti-HCV antibody test. The results concerning HCV and HLA status were gathered from patients files. The viral persistence was compared between the groups that were determined by HLA sub-typing. Statistical Analysis: Statistical evaluation was performed using Mann-Whitney U-test, Chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test. Level of error was set at 0.05 for all statistical evaluations, and P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: We found possible association between the course of HCV infection and specific HLA alleles. HLA class I Cw*6 and HLA class II DRB*10 alleles were observed more frequently in the viral clearance group (P < 0.05). The HLA class I B*38 allele group was more prone to develop chronic hepatitis C (P < 0.01). Conclusions: These findings suggest that HLA class I Cw*6 and HLA class II DRB*10 alleles may be associated with immunological elimination of HCV in Turkish patients on hemodialysis. HLA sub-typing could help predict the prognosis of HCV infection.
The Effect of Pretransplant Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection Treatment on Graft and Patient Survival in Renal Transplant Recipients
(2015) Korkmaz, Murat; Faki, Sevgul; Ocal, Serkan; Harmanci, Ozgur; Ensaroglu, Fatih; Selcuk, Haldun; Haberal, Mehmet; 0000-0002-3462-7632; 0000-0002-8445-6413; 0000-0002-9333-782X; 0000-0003-3719-9482; 0000-0002-0643-4980; 25894152; AAJ-8097-2021; AAJ-6976-2021; AAM-1330-2020; ABH-4817-2020
Objectives: Studies have demonstrated worse graft and patient survival among hepatitis C virus-positive patients following kidney transplant. Eradication of hepatitis C virus infection before renal transplant with interferon should be considered in hepatitis C virus-infected patients undergoing dialysis who are on the waiting list for transplant. We investigated whether pretransplant hepatitis C virus infection treatment affected graft and patient survival, and we evaluated other contributing factors to these outcomes. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 83 antihepatitis C virus-positive patients who were diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C virus infection by serology or histopathology and had renal transplant at Baskent University Ankara Hospital from 1982 to 2013. Data were obtained from patient medical files retrospectively. Patients were divided into 2 groups that had or did not have interferon treatment. Results: In 83 renal transplant patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection (57 male [69%] and 26 female [31%]), median age was 46 years (range, 26 - 69 y), and most patients were genotype 1-dominant (92%). Interferon monotherapy was received by 30 patients before renal transplant and 28 of 30 patients had long-term follow-up data. There were 14 of 28 patients (50%) who achieved sustained virologic response, and only 1 patient had relapse. Graft survival was significantly lower in patients who had treatment (6 y vs 9 y; P <= .003). However, patient survival rates were similar between groups. Patients who had interferon were younger and had longer hemodialysis duration before renal transplant than patients without treatment. Higher viral load was associated with higher mortality which was caused by sepsis. Conclusions: Pretransplant hepatitis C virus infection treatment, although recommended before renal transplant, does not always have good outcomes. Pretransplant dialysis treatment period, age of recipient, and posttransplant higher viral replication rates may be important contributing factors related to graft and patient survival.
Eroziv özofajit ve laringofaringeal reflü hastaları arasındaki farklı klinik tabloların oluşmasında Özofageal mukozal duyarlılığın rolü olabilir mi?
(Başkent Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, 2006) Korkmaz, Murat; Yılmaz, Uğur
Bu çalışmada eroziv özafajit hastaları ile Laringofaringeal reflü (LFR) hastalarının reflü ile ilişkili semptom profillerini, endoskopik muayenelerini, asid reflü patern özelliklerini ve özofageal mukozal duyarlılık özelliklerini karşılaştırdık. Bunları yaparken amacımız: 1-LFR ve eroziv özofajit hastalarındaki farklı klinik semptom ve muayene bulgularının nedenlerinden birinin özofageal mukozal duyarlılıktaki farklılık olup olmayacağını , 2- Eroziv özofajit yada LFR semptom ve muayene bulgularının oluşmasında reflü paterninin önemini araştırmaktı. Çalışmamıza Gastroenteroloji ve Kulak Burun Boğaz, Baş ve Boyun Cerrahisi kliniklerinde rutin muayeneler sırasında eroziv özofajit ve LFR hastalığı tanısı alan hastalar alındı. Tüm hastalara ayrıntılı semptom sorgulama formu dolduruldu. Her iki bölüm tarafından endoskopik muayeneleri yapıldı. 24 saatlik pHmetre monitorizasyonu ve Bernstein testi yapıldı. Çalışmamızı 27 eroziv özofajit, 28 LFR hastası tamamladı. GÖRH ile ilişkili semptom ve endoskopik muayene bulguları eroziv özofajit grubunda daha fazlaydı. LFR ile ilişkili endoskopik bulgu skorları LFR grubunda fazla iken LFR ile ilişkili semptom skorları arasında anlamlı fark bulunamadı. Bernstein testi pozitiflik oranları eroziv özofajit grubunda %77 (27 hastanın 21’inde) iken LFR grubunda bu oran %28 (28 hastanın 8’inde) olarak bulundu. Üst özofageal sfinkterin hemen üzerine yerleştirilen 2. proba olan patolojik asid reflüsü her iki grupta da benzer (eroziv özofajit grubunda %44.4 hasta, LFR grubunda %46,4) olmasına rağmen asid reflüsü ile endoskopik muayene bulguları uyumlu değildi. Alt özofageal sfinkterin 5 cm üzerine yerleştirilen 1. proba olan patolojik asid reflü oranları benzer olmasına rağmen (eroziv özofajit grubunda %77,8 iken LFR grubunda%67,9) eroziv özofajit varlığı her iki grupta farklı idi (eroziv özofajit grubunda %100, LFR grubunda %25). Semptom olarak hem retrosternal yanma hem de regurjitayon eroziv özofajit grubunda daha fazla gözlendi. Her iki grup arasında total, ayakta, yatarak olan reflü süresi ve reflü sayıları benzer bulundu. LFR hastalarında GÖRH ile uyumlu semptom ve endoskopik muayene bulgularının daha az görülme nedenlerinden biri de mukozal duyarlılık azlığı ile ilişkili olabilir. Reflü paterninin patolojik asid reflüsü ile oluşan semptom ve mukozal hasar arasındaki farkı açıklamada yetersiz kaldığını düşünüyoruz.
Factors Affecting Mortality and Morbidity of Patients With Cirrhosis Hospitalized for Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis
(2015) Ensaroglu, Fatih; Korkmaz, Murat; Geckil, Ali Umit; Ocal, Serkan; Koc, Bengisu; Yildiz, Ozgun; Atalay, Fatma Busra; Tas, Emine Gul; Haberal, Mehmet; 0000-0003-3719-9482; 0000-0002-9333-782X; 0000-0002-3462-7632; 26640933; ABH-4817-2020; AAM-1330-2020; AAJ-8097-2021
Objectives: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, unless originating from surgery or an intra-abdominal source, is an infection diagnosed by neutrophil counts greater than 250/mm(3) in ascites. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is the most common infection among patients hospitalized with cirrhosis, with a prevalence of 9% and a risk of development among all patients with cirrhosis within 1 year of 10%. No valid parameters have been defined to predict the mortality related to spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Unless it is treated, the mortality rate as a result of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is 50%, and serious complications may arise. Materials and Methods: Medical records from 29 patients on the deceased-donor transplant waiting list and receiving treatment at the Baskent University Hospital Gastroenterology Clinic for cirrhotic ascites infection between 1996 and 2013 were analyzed. Demographic information, para centesis findings, clinical follow-up, and treatment results were reviewed and collected from patient medical records, with data recorded to the research form. Results: In our patient group, 72.4% were men and the average age was 46.6 years. Most of our patients were at advanced stage, with 55.2% having a Child-Pugh score of C and an average Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score of 17 +/- 4.1. We found that 34.5% of the patients received prophylactic treatment for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, 72.4% received a proton pump inhibitor, and 82.8% had treatment with intravenous albumin support at the time of diagnosis. Albumin treatment showed no effect on mortality. Mortality rate among patients with Child-Pugh score of C was 81.3%. Conclusions: Existence of chronic renal failure, liver graft surgery, and hepatocellular cancer did not seem to have a significant effect on patient mortality. The albumin treatment protocol showed no significant difference despite common belief among physicians.
Hepatitis B- and Hepatitis D-Virus Related Liver Transplant: Single-Center Data
(2015) Ocal, Serkan; Korkmaz, Murat; Harmanci, Ozgur; Ensaroglu, Fatih; Akdur, Aydincan; Selcuk, Haldun; Moray, Gokhan; Haberal, Mehmet; 0000-0002-3462-7632; 0000-0002-8726-3369; 0000-0003-3719-9482; 0000-0002-9333-782X; 0000-0003-2498-7287; 0000-0002-8445-6413; 0000-0002-0643-4980; 25894142; AAJ-8097-2021; AAA-3068-2021; ABH-4817-2020; AAM-1330-2020; AAE-1041-2021; AAJ-6976-2021
Objectives: Hepatitis B and D virus coinfection or superinfection lead to chronic liver disease and have poor treatment results and poor prognosis. After transplant, these patients have difficult problems. We aimed to report long-term data of liver transplant recipients who had hepatitis B and D virus-related chronic liver disease. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, longitudinal study included 25 consecutive hepatitis B surface antigen-positive patients with anti-hepatitis D virus antibodies. Patient data (age, sex, antiviral treatment, posttransplant use of hepatitis B hyperimmunoglobulin and/or nucleoside/nucleotide analogues, the presence of hepatocellular carcinoma, age at transplant, follow-up) were extracted from patient records. Results: Females comprised 32% patients. The median age was 44 years (range, 23-63 y). The serum Hepatitis B envelope antigen level was negative in all patients. At the time of transplant, 4 patients were positive for hepatitis B virus DNA and 11 patients also had hepatocellular carcinoma. Posttransplant follow-up was 59 months (range, 3-120 mo). During follow-up, 4 patients died, 4 patients were lost to follow-up, and 17 patients were alive. Posttransplant survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma was 50.45 months (range, 3-84 mo) and without hepatocellular carcinoma was 65.8 months (range, 4-120 mo). There were 3 patients who had acute rejection and were treated successfully with pulse doses of prednisolone. Hyperimmunoglobulin therapy was used in conjunction with oral nucleotide/nucleoside analogues for 12 months (range, 3-24 mo) and then stopped. After transplant, 4 patients had antiviral medicine changed to adefovir or entecavir because of drug resistance, and otherwise all patients remained negative for hepatitis B virus DNA during follow-up. Conclusions: Patients transplanted for hepatitis B and D virus cirrhosis, even with hepatocellular carcinoma, had favorable prognosis and good long-term results. Close follow-up of patients and effective viral suppression with suitable drugs were key factors for efficient patient care.
Kronik HCV enfeksiyonu olan böbrek nakli yapılan hastalarda mortalite ve morbiditeyi etkileyen faktörler
(Başkent Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, 2014) Fakı, Sevgül; Korkmaz, Murat
Hepatit C virüsü (HCV) ve son dönem böbrek yetmezliğinin (SDBY) dünyada büyük bir sağlık sorunudur. Hemodiyaliz hastalarında anti-HCV pozitiflik prevalansı %10 ile %49 arasındadır. Aynı zamanda böbrek nakilli hastalarda HCV prevalansı yüksektir (%11-49). Kronik HCV enfeskiyonu, hem diyaliz sırasında hem de böbrek naklinden sonra karaciğer hastalığına bağlı morbidite ve mortalite ile ilişkilidir. Çalışmamızda; 1982 - 2013 tarihleri arasında BÜTF’ne başvuran anti-HCV pozitif ve böbrek nakli yapılan toplam 83 hasta çalışmaya dahil edildi. Tüm hastaların klinik bilgileri ve laboratuar bulguları dosya bilgilerinden elde edildi. Çalışmamızda kronik HCV enfeksiyonun greft ve hasta sağ kalımına etkilerini araştırmayı planladık. İnterferon (IFN) tedavisi alan ve almayan hastalar olarak iki grubun verileri incelendi. IFN tedavisi alan hasta grubumuz tedavi almayan hasta grubu ile karşılaştırıldığında greft sağ kalımı anlamlı olarak daha kısa saptandı (p=0,003). Greft sağ kalımını kısaltabilecek diğer veriler incelendiğinde IFN tedavisi alan hasta grubumuzun ortanca diyaliz sürelerinin daha uzun olduğunu saptandı (p=0,001). greft sağkalımını etkileyebilecek diğer nedenler den diabetes mellitus DM gelişimi IFN tedavisi alan hasta grubunda daha sık saptanmamıştır. Ayrıca IFN tedavisi alan hasta grubumuzun yaş ortalaması daha genç olarak saptandı (p=0,01). Toplam 30 hastaya IFN tedavisi verilmiştir. SVR oranı %50 olarak saptadı. SVR elde edilen hastalardan sadece birinde böbrek nakli sonrasında relaps saptandı. Hasta sağ kalımını etkileyebilecek faktörler ele aldığımızda: yüksek viral replikasyona sahip olan hastalarda mortalitenin daha yüksek olduğunu saptadık (p=0,008). Ayrıca yüksek viral yükü olan hastalarda sepsisten ölme riski anlamlı yüksek bulundu (p<0,05). DM tanısı alan ve almayan grubu mortalite açısından karşılaştırılduğında anlamlı mortalite artışı saptanmadı (p=0,589). Böbrek nakli sonrasında metilprednizolon tedavisi ve karaciğerde demir birikiminin DM gelişimi için risk faktörü olarak saptandı (p=0,006, p=0,019). Sonuç olarak diyaliz hastalarına anti-viral tedavi başlanabilir ancak tedavinin kısa sürede tamamlanması ve uygun dönör sağlanması halinde tedavinin sonlandırılması gerektiğini belirtmekteyiz. Diyaliz hastaları böbrek nakli listelerine HCV enfeksiyonuna bakılmaksızın eklenmesi gerektiğini vurgulamaktayız.
Lansoprazole-induced Acute Pancreatitis
(2014) Ocal, Serkan; Korkmaz, Murat; Yildirim, Abdullah Emre; Altun, Reskan; Akbas, Enver; Selcuk, Haldun; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3719-9482; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9333-782X; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4386-9297; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8445-6413; 25417626; ABH-4817-2020; AAM-1330-2020; AAG-6561-2020; F-3628-2015; AAJ-6976-2021
Late-Onset Drug-Induced Cholestasis in a Living-Related Liver Transplant Donor With Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis
(2015) Harmanci, Ozgur; Ensaroglu, Fatih; Ozcay, Figen; Ocal, Serkan; Korkmaz, Murat; Ozdemir, B. Handan; Selcuk, Haldun; Moray, Gokhan; Haberal, Mehmet; 0000-0002-7528-3557; 0000-0003-3719-9482; 0000-0002-9333-782X; 0000-0002-3462-7632; 0000-0002-8445-6413; 0000-0003-2498-7287; 0000-0002-5214-516X; 0000-0002-0643-4980; 26640927; X-8540-2019; ABH-4817-2020; AAM-1330-2020; AAJ-8097-2021; AAJ-6976-2021; AAE-1041-2021; ABG-5684-2020
We present a rare case of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis within a family. A 34-year-old female became a living-related liver transplant donor for her son, who had the disease. Nine years after the transplant, the mother developed severe intrahepatic cholestasis, for which she was evaluated after using an oral contraceptive drug. She presented with jaundice, pruritus, and increased bilirubin levels, together with elevated gamma glutamyl transferase and alkaline phosphatase levels. A liver biopsy revealed findings consistent with intrahepatic cholestasis. However, despite follow-up management and cessation of the insulting drug, her total bilirubin count continuously increased to 20 mg/dL and was accompanied by intractable pruritus. A total of 9 plasmapheresis sessions were performed, and she was started on a regimen of ursodeoxycholic acid (13 mg/kg/d) and cholestyramine (4 g, 3 times daily). The clinical and laboratory picture dramatically improved following cessation of the oral contraceptive, plasmapheresis sessions, and drug treatment. The patient's cholestasis normalized within 3 months, and she recovered uneventfully. A genetic analysis of the whole family revealed that both parents were heterozygous for the mutation c.124G>A in ABCB11, and the son was homozygous for this mutation. These findings supported varying degrees of bile salt export pump deficiency in the family members. Defective bile salt excretory system function can result in a wide spectrum of clinical presentations, ranging from progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis requiring liver transplant to late-onset drug-induced cholestasis. Our findings suggest that, in a heterozygous carrier of a progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis mutation, drug-induced cholestasis is responsive to treatment, after which the clinical picture can normalize within 3 months.
Panel Reactive Antibodies in Predicting Hepatitis C Virus Treatment Outcome in Kidney Transplant Candidates
(2015) Ocal, Serkan; Harmanci, Ozgur; Korkmaz, Murat; Ensaroglu, Fatih; Colak, Turan; Selcuk, Haldun; Moray, Gokhan; Haberal, Mehmet; 0000-0002-8372-7840; 0000-0002-8445-6413; 0000-0003-3719-9482; 0000-0002-9333-782X; 0000-0003-2498-7287; 0000-0002-3462-7632; 0000-0002-0643-4980; 25894153; AAJ-8554-2021; AAJ-6976-2021; ABH-4817-2020; AAM-1330-2020; AAE-1041-2021; AAJ-8097-2021
Objectives: Chronic hepatitis C virus infection compromises hemodialysis patients and increases liver-related mortality. Interferon treatment is associated with improved sustained virological response rates and increased risk of graft loss after kidney transplant. This may be related to the development of antihuman leukocyte antigen antibodies, which may be a surrogate marker of potent immune response. We evaluated panel reactive antibody 1 and 2 levels for prediction of sustained viral response in patients with kidney transplant. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed data from hepatitis C virus-infected hemodialysis patients who received interferon treatment before kidney transplant. Panel reactive antibody > 20% was considered positive. Sustained viral response rates for interferon treatment were obtained and compared with panel reactive antibody 1 and 2 values. Results: There were 40 patients (16 female and 24 male patients; mean age, 41.5 y; range, 18-65 y). Sustained viral response rate was 18/40 (45%). Panel reactive antibody 1 was negative in 31 patients and positive in 9 patients. Sustained viral response ratio was not correlated with panel reactive antibody 1 positivity. Panel reactive antibody 2 was negative in 31 patients (sustained viral response: present, 11 patients; absent, 20 patients) and positive in 9 patients (sustained viral response: present, 7 patients; absent, 2 patients). Sustained viral response ratio was significantly correlated with panel reactive antibody 2 positivity. Conclusions: We showed a correlation between panel reactive antibody 2 positivity and sustained viral response rates that may be a predictive tool for hepatitis C virus treatment response. In patients with other complications that compromise hepatitis C virus treatment, panel reactive antibody 2 may be a surrogate marker for sustained viral response prediction. The induction of cellular immunity may cause clearance of hepatitis C virus infection and formation of high panel reactive antibody 2 levels.
Progression of Hepatic Histopathology in Kidney Transplant Recipients With Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Effect of Immunosuppression on the Course of Hepatitis C Virus Infection
(2015) Korkmaz, Murat; Faki, Sevgul; Ocal, Serkan; Harmanci, Ozgur; Selcuk, Haldun; Haberal, Mehmet; 0000-0003-3719-9482; 0000-0002-3462-7632; 0000-0002-8445-6413; 0000-0002-9333-782X; 0000-0002-0643-4980; 25894147; ABH-4817-2020; AAJ-8097-2021; AAJ-6976-2021; AAM-1330-2020
Objectives: There is no correlation between alanine aminotransferase levels, viral load, and histologic findings at dialysis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Identification of the severity of hepatitis C-related liver disease before transplant could provide valuable data about the risk for liver-related mortality after transplant. In this study, we aimed to identify the severity of liver disease in end-stage renal disease patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection, the progression of hepatic histopathology after kidney transplant, and whether immunosuppressive therapy affected post-transplant viral replication and hepatic histology. Materials and Methods: Antihepatitis C virus-positive kidney transplant recipients (45 patients) enrolled in the study. Liver biopsy was performed in 45 patients before and 16 patients after kidney transplant. Interferon was given to 28 of 45 patients before kidney transplant. Biopsy before and after kidney transplant was performed in 5 of 14 patients. Results: Patients had higher viral load, with genotype 1 predominancy (91%). Sustained viral response was achieved in 14 of 28 patients (50%). The histopathologic features of 45 patients who had pretransplant liver biopsy were as follows: 22 patients had mild hepatocellular injury, 17 patients had mild chronic hepatitis, 5 patients had moderate chronic hepatitis, and 1 patient had serious hepatitis. Follow-up biopsy after kidney transplant (mean, 2 y) in 16 of 45 patients showed that 3 of 16 patients had mild hepatocellular injury, 4 of 16 patients had mild hepatitis, 6 of 16 patients had moderate hepatitis, 2 of 16 patients had serious hepatitis, and 1 patient had cirrhosis. Patients showed neither progression, regression, nor stable liver histology. Conclusions: Even with worse genotype profiles, chronic hepatitis C virus infection has an indolent progression in patients with end-stage renal disease and kidney transplant. Follow-up biopsies of kidney transplant recipients show reasonable progression during the first 2 years.
Significance of Colonoscopic Findings in Patients After Kidney Graft
(2015) Ensaroglu, Fatih; Harmanci, Ozgur; Ocal, Serkan; Korkmaz, Murat; Moray, Gokhan; Ozdemir, Handan; Colak, Turan; Selcuk, Haldun; Haberal, Mehmet; 0000-0002-7528-3557; 0000-0003-3719-9482; 0000-0002-8445-6413; 0000-0002-8372-7840; 0000-0003-2498-7287; 0000-0002-9333-782X; 0000-0002-3462-7632; 0000-0002-0643-4980; 26640913; X-8540-2019; ABH-4817-2020; AAJ-6976-2021; AAJ-8554-2021; AAE-1041-2021; AAM-1330-2020; AAJ-8097-2021
Objectives: We aimed to investigate the colonoscopy findings in patients after kidney transplant. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed kidney transplant patients who had colonoscopy examinations for various indications between 2011 and 2015. Results: Eighty-one patients (25 women and 56 men) with a mean age of 39 years (range, 18-64 y) were identified. Mean follow-up after transplant was 9 years (range, 1-29 y). The most common indications for colonoscopy were diarrhea (41%), anemia (29%), gastrointestinal bleeding (12%), abdominal pain (12%), and unexplained weight loss (6%). Either colitis or ileitis or both were diagnosed in 20 patients (25%), whereas polyps were found in 9 patients (11%). One patient presented with hematochezia, which was diagnosed as cytomegalovirus colitis. The remaining cases of colitis or ileitis were diagnosed as nonspecific inflammation. Indications for colonoscopy were not correlated with age, duration after transplant, or use of immunosuppressive drugs. A subgroup analysis for mycophenolate-induced colitis found that 88% of patients used mycophenolate, but presence of colitis or ileitis had no statistical correlation with its use. In patients with poor gastrointestinal symptoms, the only significant predictor of presence of colitis or ileitis was a high C-reactive protein value (> 5 mg/dL; P=.02). Conclusions: Incidence of colitis and/or ileitis is a relatively common finding in patients after kidney transplant. Opportunistic infections, mycophenolate use, and mild degree of indeterminate colitis or ileitis disease may be the underlying condition. Cytomegalovirus infection should be screened in all recipients because it may cause serious complications or death in chronically immuno-compromised patients.
Terlipressin and albumin for type 1 hepatorenal syndrome: does bacterial infection affect the response?
(2015) Altun, Reskan; Korkmaz, Murat; Yildirim, Emre; Ocal, Serkan; Akbas, Enver; Selcuk, Haldun; 26722626
Vasoconstrictor therapy with terlipressin and concomitant albumin can improve renal function in patients with hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) type 1, but the efficacy of therapy in patients with active infection is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy, adverse effects, and predictors of terlipressin therapy and to find out whether there was a difference in response rates between the patients with or without active infections. Data of 58 patients with type 1 HRS treated with terlipressin and albumin were retrospectively evaluated. Twenty-six patients (44.8 %) showed complete response to treatment. Response rates of patients with or without active bacterial infection were 47 and 43.9 %, respectively (p > 0.05). Only baseline serum creatinine level was significantly related to response in univariate/ multivariate analyses (p < 0.05). Twenty-three patients (39.6 %) developed adverse effects probably related to treatment. In 8.6 % of patients, treatment was discontinued because of adverse effects of therapy. Four patients (6.9 %) developed ischemic adverse events, including nonfatal myocardial infarction, intestinal ischemia, and cutaneous necrosis. Terlipressin plus albumin therapy improved renal function in nearly half of patients with type 1 HRS. Thus, it seems a reasonable treatment for patients with active bacterial infections. Baseline serum creatinine level is a potential predictor of terlipressin response.
Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt: Where Are We?
(2014) Altun, Reskan; Yildirim, Emre; Ocal, Serkan; Akbas, Enver; Harman, Ali; Korkmaz, Murat; Selcuk, Haldun; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3719-9482; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7386-7110; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9333-782X; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8445-6413; 25141319; F-3628-2015; C-2392-2009; ABH-4817-2020; K-9824-2013; AAM-1330-2020; AAJ-6976-2021
Background/Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the technical/hemodynamic success, complications, and biochemical/hematologic consequences of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) created with 10-mm bare stents in our patients. Materials and Methods: Data of 27 cirrhotic patients (18 men and 9 women; mean age, 39.7 +/- 18.7 years) with a median MELD score 14 (range 7-31) treated with TIPS between January 2000 and August 2010 were evaluated retrospectively. Results: The indications were refractory bleeding varices in 48.2%, refractory ascites in 22.2%, and Budd-Chiari syndrome in 29.6% of the patients. Technical and hemodynamic success rates were 96.3% and 92.3%, respectively. Mean portosystemic pressure gradient decreased from 21.5 +/- 5.3 mm Hg to 9 +/- 2.7 mm Hg (p<0.05). The rate of primary stent patency was 76.9% 1 year after the procedure. No statistically significant difference in shunt dysfunction was found between the groups of patients treated for Budd-Chiari syndrome and other indications (p>0.05). One patient (3.7%) had shunt dysfunction due to thrombosis within 24 hours. New and/or worsening hepatic encephalopathy occurred in 34.6% of patients. Increased age (>= 40 years) was significantly related to hepatic encephalopathy in both univariate and multivariate analyses (p<0.05). Thirty-day mortality rate and 1-year transplant-free survival rate were 0% and 80.7%, respectively. Conclusion: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedure is a safe treatment for many patients with cirrhosis, but post-procedure hepatic encephalopathy and shunt dysfunction are still problems. Especially, patient age should be taken into consideration in predicting hepatic encephalopathy risk.
Treatment of Liver Transplant Recipients Who Have Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection
(2014) Korkmaz, Murat; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9333-782X; 24635788; AAM-1330-2020
Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is the most common cause of chronic liver disease and indication for liver transplant in Western countries. Viral infection may recur after transplant in most patients. The diagnosis of histologic recurrence of hepatitis C virus infection after liver transplant may be difficult and may be confused with acute cellular graft rejection. Characteristics of the recipient, donor, virus, and transplant may be associated with disease progression. Treatment of hepatitis C virus infection has a positive effect on the outcome of liver transplant. There are 3 approaches used to minimize recurrent hepatitis C virus infection after liver transplant: antiviral therapy before transplant, antiviral preventive and preemptive treatment after transplant, and treatment of established reinfection. Protease inhibitors are being evaluated in patients who have severe hepatitis C virus recurrence after liver transplant. Liver graft survival is less frequent after revision transplant. Several new drugs currently are being evaluated in clinical trials for treatment of hepatitis C virus infection.