Introduction: Diarrhea is a common cause of morbidity and mortality among renal transplant patients. The etiological spectrum of pathogens varies with regional diversity, socioeconomic conditions, sanitation, and eating habits. We aimed to delineate the etiological profile of gastrointestinal pathogens in renal transplant patients using the stool Polymerase chain reaction. Methods: In this single-center, retrospective analysis of patients from January 2016 to January 2018, all renal transplant patients who were admitted with severe diarrhea and underwent the stool Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were included. In the control group, we included patients from the general population who were admitted with similar complaints in the general medicine ward and underwent stool PCR over the same duration. Results: One hundred ten admissions occurred over 2 years in the transplant group. 86% of samples were positive for infection. More than one organism was seen in 68% of the patient. Norovirus was the most common organism isolated. Giardia lamblia with Norovirus was the most common coinfection among the transplant population. In the control group, 87% of samples tested positive, with 53% of patients having more than one organism. Enteroaggregative E. coli was the common organism, Enteroaggregative E. coli with Enteropathogenic E. coli and Enterotoxigenic E. coli were the most common organism in combination. Both the groups had similar incidence of infection with multiple organisms. Conclusion: The etiological profile of gastrointestinal pathogens differs significantly between the transplant and general population. Coinfections are common in both populations. Norovirus is the most common pathogen in the transplant population, presenting as isolated as well as in coinfections.

Background and Aims Symptomatic intradialytic hypotension is the most frequent complication in patients receiving hemodialysis. It complicates 5 to 30 percent of all dialysis treatments. In our study, we aimed to compare the effect of sodium and ultrafiltration modeling versus low-temperature dialysate on the occurrence of intradialytic hypotensive episodes. Method Single center, prospective, randomized trial. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage V on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) for at least twice weekly for a minimum of 3 months were observed for the occurrence of ≥1 intradialytic hypotensive episode per month. After full filling the inclusion and exclusion criteria, patients were randomized 1:1 ratio into two groups based on computer-generated randomization numbers allotted to them by the dialysis coordinator. Group 1: Underwent dialysis with sodium and Ultrafiltration modeling (Linearly decreasing dialysate sodium from 141 mmol/L to 128 mmol/L and linearly decreasing ultrafiltration rate). Group 2: Underwent dialysis with low-temperature dialysate (36 degrees Celsius). Primary outcome was number of hypotensive episodes per month. Secondary outcomes were interdialytic weight gain and ultrafiltration volume per session. Results A total of 320 patients were observed for 3 months in our centre. Intradialytic hypotension was found in 18.75 % of patients. Diabetic nephropathy (61.66%) was the leading cause of end-stage renal disease in these patients. There was no significant difference between the two groups in mean arterial blood pressure, hemoglobin, cardiac status, and serum albumin before dialysis. Both groups had a similar incidence of intradialytic hypotensive episodes (P >0.05). Interdialytic weight gain and ultrafiltration volume removed per session were also similar in both groups. Conclusion Sodium and ultrafiltration modeling and low-temperature dialysate were both equally effective in the prevention of intradialytic hypotensive episodes.

Background and Aims Acute gastroenteritis is an unwelcome and harmful yet unavoidable complication in the renal transplant patient. Infections, especially atypical organisms like Norovirus, Cryptosporidium, along with typical microorganisms like E. coli and Giardia, form the significant players in the pathogenesis of diarrhea. Standard methods of staining and culture have reduced sensitivity as well as require considerable time for the reports. Stool Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)is a quick, sensitive, and hassle-free method that diagnoses more than 20 organisms within 1 hour. This study aims to determine the infective etiology of acute gastroenteritis in the transplant population as well to compare the yield of stool PCR with conservative methods. Method We retrospectively analyzed all renal transplant patients admitted between 2015 to 2018 with complaints of diarrhea (>3 stools/day with loose consistency). The sample was tested for conventional microbiological methods, including a stool routine for microscopy and culture. A stool sample was also sent for Multiplex PCR, which was analyzed by Bio Fire FilmArray GI Panel, which identifies 22 enteropathogens. Endoscopic procedures were also undertaken in suspected cases for CMV colitis and pseudomembranous colitis. Results 110 diarrheal events (admission for diarrhea) were recorded in 82 patients, with 181 organisms isolated in all samples. 16 events did not reveal any organisms in stool PCR. 85% sample yielded a positive result. The conventional method yielded a positive result in only 32.3% as compared to stool PCR. Co-infections were common, as 71.2% of events were associated with 2 or more organisms. Conventional methods failed to diagnose any co-infections. Norovirus G1/G2(20%) was the most common organism isolated from the stool, followed by Giardia (17%) and Enteropathogenic E. coli (16%). Giardia Lamblia with Norovirus G1/G2 was the most common co-infection in 19% of patients. Conclusion Stool PCR significantly improves the diagnostic yield in diagnosing enteric pathogens. Stool PCR is especially sensitive in detecting multiple organisms where conventional microbiological methods were completely unsuccessful. Norovirus is the most common enteropathogen, which is not picked by the conventional method. Giardia with Norovirus was the most common co-infection among post-transplant patients.