Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), both in the USA and in Europe; moreover, its incidence is rising worldwide. The main laboratory markers of DN progression are albuminuria and a reduction in glomerular filtration rates, although progression of the disease has been observed even in the absence of these biomarkers. Renal impairment, associated with diabetes, results from damage to the glomerular filtration barrier, at the level of highly differentiated glomerular epithelial cells: podocytes. These cells regulate glomerular filtration and many immunological processes occurring at this level. The earliest possible diagnosis of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and implementation of intensive treatment offers the possibility of preventing or substantially delaying the onset of ESRD. In this article, we review various urinary biomarkers linked with glomerular podocyte cytophysiology as potentially sensitive diagnostic tools for the early detection of DKD. These biomarkers have predictive potential for assessing the progression toward end-stage nephropathy.

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a leading cause of a healthcare-associated diarrhea worldwide. Recently, an increased number of new cases and growing mortality due to CDI have been observed. Patients suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are most exposed to CDI. It has been proven that CDI in patients receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT) significantly increases mortality, prolongs hospitalization and increases the cost of treatment. Important risk factors of CDI in ERSD patients include hospitalization or stay in an intensive care unit in the last 90 days, HIV infection, bacteremia, prolonged antibiotic therapy and hypoalbuminemia. Cirrhosis, age over 65 years, hypoalbuminemia, longer hospitalization time and use of antibiotics are significant risk factors of death. Effective methods of preventing CDI include hand hygiene with soap and water, isolation of infected patients in a private room with a dedicated toilet, the use of masks, gloves, disinfection of the environment and systematic education and control of medical personnel, as well as rational antibiotic policy. In addition, it is important to avoid antibiotics with a proven risk of CDI, caution use of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and H2 receptor antagonists. It is also important in the prevention of CDI in people with ERSD, to apply a fast diagnostic since the onset of the first symptoms. The use of probiotics and bile acids in the primary prevention of CDI requires further research. It seems that knowledge of these factors and methods of prevention will significantly reduce morbidity and mortality due to CDI.

In patients with CKD, longer hospitalization time and lower serum albumin concentration significantly increased the risk of the C. difficile infection. The C. difficile infection, age, the number of used antibiotics, longer hospitalization time, and lower initial serum albumin concentration notably augmented the risk of death. Although the incidence of the C. difficile infection did not correlate with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), 67% of patients who tested positive were class 5 of CKD, whereas only 5.7% were class 1.

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The majority of recently published studies indicate a greater incidence rate and mortality due to Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to assess the clinical determinants predicting CDI among hospitalized patients with CKD and refine methods of prevention. We evaluated the medical records of 279 patients treated at a nephrological department with symptoms suggesting CDI, of whom 93 tested positive for CDI. The survey showed that age, poor kidney function, high Padua prediction score (PPS) and patients’ classification of care at admission, treatment with antibiotics, and time of its duration were significantly higher or more frequent among patients who suffered CDI. Whereas BMI, Norton scale (ANSS) and serum albumin concentration were significantly lowered among CDI patients. In a multivariate analysis we proved the stage of CKD and length of antibiotics use increased the risk of CDI, whereas higher serum albumin concentration and ANSS have a protective impact.