A Novel Therapeutic Approach for Renal Transplant Recipient with Septic Shock and Acute Kidney Injury: A Case Report

Abstract

Extracorporeal blood purification (EBP) therapies, using oXiris (R) haemofilter, are popular and used globally in intensive care units for management of patients with septic acute kidney injury (AKI). Herein, we present a case of an immunocompromised renal transplant recipient with sepsis and AKI who was treated with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) using oXiris (R) haemofilter. A 45-year-old female who underwent cadaveric renal transplantation in 2015 was admitted due to septic shock secondary to Escherichia coli urinary tract infection (bacteraemia) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Her acute physiology and chronic health assessment score was 23, sepsis-related organ failure score was 11 and Glasgow coma scale was 15. She was intubated because of moderate ARDS and administered vasopressors due to hemodynamic instability. For immunosuppressive therapy, methylprednisolone (40 mg q12h) was administered. Antimicrobial therapies, including intravenous meropenem, linezolid, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, voriconazole and oseltamivir, were administered. She exhibited metabolic acidosis and septic AKI and was classified as Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes stage 3. Therefore, CRRT with oXiris (R) haemofilter was administered at the 11th hour after admission. A full recovery of transplant renal function and diuresis was observed 7 days after admission. She was transferred to ward after 9 days and discharged after 2 weeks, without the requirement of RRT. EBP is proposed as an adjuvant therapy for sepsis and AKI. Solid organ transplant recipients with septic AKI may benefit from early usage of oXiris (R) haemofilter with CRRT as a novel approach for improving survival and clinical outcomes.