We report a CASE of minimal change disease (MCD) with severe acute kidney injury (AKI) following the first injection of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19/AZD1222 vaccine (Oxford-AstraZeneca). A 71-year-old man with history of dyslipidemia and a baseline serum creatinine of 0.7 mg/dl presented with nephrotic syndrome, AKI, and severe hypertension 13 days after receiving the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Refractory hyperkalemia and hypervolemia with oligoanuria prompted initiation of hemodialysis. His serum albumin was 2.6 g/dL and his urinary protein-creatinine ratio was 2321 mg/mmol. Given a high suspicion for rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, empirical glucocorticoid treatment was initiated (3 methylprednisolone pulses followed by high-dose prednisone). A kidney biopsy showed minimal change disease (MCD) and acute tubular injury. Kidney function and proteinuria subsequently improved, and hemodialysis was discontinued 38 days after the start of therapy. This case describes de novo MCD after the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. It adds to the few published case reports of MCD after the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Further reports and studies will be needed to elucidate whether MCD is truly associated to COVID-19 vaccination.

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Introduction: To prevent bleeding after native kidney biopsy (NKB), nephrologists often prescribe desmopressin, especially for patients with reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at risk of uremia-related platelet dysfunction. However, only 1 randomized study has suggested a beneficial effect for desmopressin in patients with eGFR $60 ml/min per 1.73 m 2. This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate desmopressin effect on postbiopsy bleeding in all patients, regardless of eGFR and other comorbidities. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, all adult patients who underwent an NKB from April 1, 2013, to April 30, 2018, in a tertiary hospital were identified. The association between desmopressin use and bleeding complications, including hemoglobin fall, transfusion, hematoma, symptomatic hematoma, urgent radiologic study, and hypotension, was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models. Results: A total of 413 native kidney biopsies were studied, 79% of which were performed after receiving desmopressin. Patients receiving desmopressin had worse chronic kidney disease (eGFR 28 vs. 45 ml/min per 1.73 m 2 ; P < 0.001) and were more often hospitalized (48% vs. 32%; P ¼ 0.009). Despite higher bleeding risk, patients using desmopressin had a similar likelihood of symptomatic hematomas (odds ratio [OR], 0.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13-1.14) and a lower need for urgent radiologic studies (OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.11-0.98). Conclusion: Patients at higher risk of bleeding using desmopressin before kidney biopsy had bleeding complications similar to those not using desmopressin. These results highlight potential important clinical and financial benefits of desmopressin use before kidney biopsy.

Purpose of review Current immunosuppressive regimens used in kidney transplantation are sometimes ineffective and carry significant risks of morbidity and mortality. Cellular therapies are a promising alternative to prolong graft survival while minimizing treatment toxicity. We review the recently published breakthrough studies using cell therapies in kidney transplantation. Recent findings The reviewed phase I and II trials showed that cell therapies are feasible and safe in kidney transplantation, sometimes associated with less infectious complications than traditional regimens. Regulatory T cells and macrophages were added to the induction regimen, allowing for lower immunosuppressive drug doses without higher rejection risk. Regulatory T cells are also a treatment for subclinical rejection on the 6 months biopsy. Other strategies, like bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells, genetically modified regulatory T cells, and chimerism-based tolerance are also really promising. In addition, to improve graft tolerance, cell therapy could be used to prevent or treat viral infection after transplantation. Summary Emerging data underline that cell therapy is a feasible and safe treatment in kidney transplantation. Although the evidence points to a benefit for transplant recipients, studies with standardized protocols, representative control groups, and longer follow-up are needed to answer the question definitively and guide future research.