Internal Medicine Commons^™

Maternal Sjögren's Disease And Its Long Shadow: Adult-Onset Seronegative Lupus Nephritis Following Congenital Heart Block, Tatiana Dacak, Abelardo Rodriguez, Luisa Fernanda Gomez, Corey Haines, Nida Asif

School of Medicine Publications

Congenital complete atrioventricular block (CCAVB) is a well-recognized manifestation of neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE), caused by transplacental transfer of maternal anti-Ro/Sjögren's Syndrome Type A (SSA) and anti-La/Sjögren's Syndrome Type B (SSB) antibodies. Although non-cardiac manifestations of NLE typically resolve within the first year of life, the long-term autoimmune risk in affected offspring remains unclear. We report a 24-year-old woman with CCAVB secondary to maternal Sjögren's disease who presented with acute heart failure, nephrotic-range proteinuria, bicytopenia, pericardial effusion, and findings concerning for Libman-Sacks endocarditis. Despite negative conventional lupus serologies, renal biopsy demonstrated Class IV/V lupus-like immune-complex glomerulonephritis with full-house immune complex …

Adult-Onset Iga Vasculitis Initially Attributed To A Cutaneous Drug Reaction And Diverticulitis, Leila C. Tou, Catherine Grace P. Hobayan, Shane Devine, Sarah Koraym

Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV), formerly Henoch–Schönlein purpura, is a small-vessel vasculitis characterized by palpable purpura, arthralgias, gastrointestinal involvement, and renal disease. Although IgAV is common in children, adult-onset disease is rare and may be associated with more severe manifestations, particularly renal involvement. In adults, IgAV may be difficult to recognize because of overlap with more common gastrointestinal, infectious, or medication-related conditions. We present a case of adult-onset IgAV initially attributed to presumed diverticulitis and later to a drug eruption following antibiotic exposure. This case highlights diagnostic pitfalls and the importance of early recognition and renal surveillance.

Koeksistensi Spondiloartritis Perifer Dan Fokal Segmental Glomerulosklerosis: Sebuah Laporan Kasus Jarang, Zakiya Zulaifah, Florentina Carolin Puspita Hapsari, Virly Nanda Muzellina

Jurnal Penyakit Dalam Indonesia

Spondyloarthritis is a group of inflammatory rheumatic diseases characterized by shared clinical features, genetic predispositions, and pathogenic mechanisms. Without appropriate management, it carries a risk of various complications. We report the case of a young male patient with a one-year history of nephrotic syndrome prior to admission, presenting with chronic polyarthritis. Initially, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with renal and musculoskeletal involvement was suspected, although SLE is relatively uncommon in young males. However, based on the clinical presentation of arthritis, imaging findings of sacroiliitis, and the absence of diagnostic criteria supporting SLE, the patient was subsequently diagnosed with peripheral spondyloarthritis and …

When Arteries Twist And Kidneys Shrink: A Case Of Fmd With Ruq Pain, Brian Nguyen, Ephrem Demie, Jeffrey Lesser, Rajeev Raghavan

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis In A Young Woman With Mast Cell Activation Syndrome: An Atypical Presentation Associated With An Ultra-Rare Cacna1s Variant, Yasmin Aboutaleb, Ali Moradi, Saba Noreen, Abdullah Sahyouni, Hasin Sharma, Olu Oyesanmi, Ian M. Kahane, Yizhi Lin, Hakan R. Toka

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2026

No abstract provided.

Faktor-Faktor Yang Berhubungan Dengan Kualitas Hidup Pasien Geriatri Yang Menjalani Hemodialisis, Nurhidayat Mohammad, Czeresna Heriawan Soejono, Aida Lydia, Ikhwan Rinaldi, Muhammad Syafiq, Elizabeth Yasmine Wardoyo

Jurnal Penyakit Dalam Indonesia

Introduction. The decline in quality of life among geriatric patients undergoing hemodialysis has a negative impact on treatment adherence, physical functioning, dietary patterns, and mortality. This study was conducted to assess the quality of life of geriatric hemodialysis patients and its association with comorbidities, functional status, frailty, sarcopenia, nutritional status, depression, hemoglobin levels, hemodialysis vintage, vascular access, and hemodialysis adequacy.

Methods. This study employed a cross-sectional design with primary data collection. Consecutive sampling was used to recruit participants. The study was conducted at the hemodialysis units of Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital (RSCM), Persahabatan National General Hospital (RSP), …

Korelasi Kadar Serum Vegf-A Dengan Rasio Albumin-Kreatinin Urin Pada Pasien Penyakit Ginjal Diabetik, Hannie Q. Syaiful, Drajad Priyono, Harnavi Harun, Arina W. Murni, Akmal M. Hanif, Eifel Faheri, Arnelis Arnelis, Vesri Yoga

Jurnal Penyakit Dalam Indonesia

Introduction. Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a major microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus, characterized by persistent albuminuria and a progressive decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), making it a leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) is implicated in the pathogenesis of DKD, being overexpressed in the kidneys and contributing to increased vascular permeability, inflammation, and fibrosis. Albuminuria, an early indicator of renal damage in DKD, is a strong predictor of CKD progression and cardiovascular events. The urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) is the recommended test for detecting and monitoring albuminuria. …

Faktor Prediktif Post Dialysis Fatigue Sedang Pada Pasien Yang Menjalani Hemodialisis Reguler, Ivan Virnanda Amu, Maruhum Bonar H Marbun, Pringgodigdo Nugroho, Ikhwan Rinaldi, Hamzah Shatri, Nunuk Mardiana, Rudy Hidayat, Endang Susalit, Evy Yunihastuti, Dyah Purnamasari, Elizabeth Y. Wardoyo

Jurnal Penyakit Dalam Indonesia

Introduction. Fatigue is often found in patients with CKD-HD. Fatigue serves as an indicator of mortality and may be a viable target in a treatment strategy. Current research has not established the determinants of moderate PDF in individuals with CKD who are undergoing HD. Therefore, this study was conducted to prove the predictor factors of moderate PDF.

Methods. A retrospective cohort study in CKD-HD patients at Fatmawati Central General Hospital during the period of November-December 2024. The independent variables of this study are comorbidities, MIS, depression, intradialytic SBPV, dialysis vintage, UFG, IDWG, and anemia status. Primary data from …

Cervical Cancer Disparities In Hispanic Women: A Multilevel Analysis Using Seer And Texas State Data, Aura M. C. Calderon, Ivan Mogollon, Shubhank Goyal, Jose Loayza, Everardo Cobos, Diane Nguyen

Research Colloquium

Background: Cervical carcinoma continues to exert a disproportionate burden on Hispanic women within the United States, notably in jurisdictions such as Texas, where individuals of Hispanic descent constitute more than 40% of the demographic populace. Notwithstanding progress in screening methodologies and preventive measures, considerable disparities persist in incidence rates, mortality figures, and survival outcomes when assessed through the lens of racial and ethnic stratifications.

Objective: To examine and visually communicate disparities in cervical cancer burden among Hispanic women through a combination of national survival data and Texas state-level incidence and mortality statistics.

Methods: Publicly accessible datasets were employed from the …

Case Report: Familial Hypomagnesemia In A Patient With History Of Hodgkin Lymphoma, Aura M. C. Calderon, Ivan Mogollon, Catherine Matos, Jose Loayza, Everardo Cobos

Research Colloquium

Introduction: Magnesium constitutes an essential electrolyte integral to the functioning of neuromuscular systems, the regulation of cardiovascular parameters, and the facilitation of metabolic processes. Chronic hypomagnesemia may precipitate significant complications, including the onset of arrhythmias and seizures. In cases where hypomagnesemia is refractory to supplementation and manifests in multiple family members, a hereditary tubulopathy, such as Gitelman syndrome (GS), warrants consideration. Gitelman syndrome is classified as an autosomal recessive disorder, resulting from mutations in the SLC12A3 gene, which impairs the thiazide-sensitive sodium-chloride cotransporter located in the distal convoluted tubule.

Case Presentation: A 39-year-old female with a history of classical Hodgkin …

Covid-19 Vaccine-Induced Rhabdomyolysis In A 53-Year-Old Woman, Akash Hazari, Jack Chien, Daniel Nunez

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Introduction

COVID-19-induced rhabdomyolysis is a common complication in COVID-19 infection. However, only a handful of cases have been reported showing links between COVID-19 vaccine and rhabdomyolysis.

Case Presentation

We present the case of a 53-year-old woman, who recently received COVID-19 vaccine and presented to the hospital with progressive extremity weakness. Common reasons for rhabdomyolysis were ruled out as possibility and the patient was found to have rhabdomyolysis induced from COVID-19 vaccine.

Conclusion

Even though COVID-19 vaccine-induced rhabdomyolysis is rare, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis with patients presenting with neuromuscular complaints and a recent COVID-19 vaccine.

Peran Prediktif Il-6, Il-10, Dan Tnf-Α Plasma Terhadap Gagal Ginjal Akut Pada Pasien Dengan Covid-19 Derajat Sedang Dan Berat, Dewi Gathmyr, Maruhum Bonar H Bonar, Adityo Susilo, Kuntjoro Harimurti, Ginova Nainggolan, Alvin Tagor, Hamzah Shatri, Cosmas Rinaldi Adithya Lesmana, Zulkifli Amin

Jurnal Penyakit Dalam Indonesia

Introduction. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with higher mortality rate in COVID-19 patients due to inflammation and immune dysregulation. This study aimed to correlate serum levels of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α with serum creatinine changes and their roles to predict incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with moderate and severe COVID-19.

Methods. This prospective cohort study was conducted among patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 in Pertamina Central Hospital Jakarta, Indonesia during November 2020 to January 2021. All serum levels of cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α) and creatinine were collected on the first day and …

Parvovirus B19 Infection In Kidney Transplant Recipients, Hatem Najar, Kiran Goli, Maria P. Martinez Cantarin

Division of Nephrology Faculty Papers

On August 14, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) health advisory due to a surge in Parvovirus B19 (B19V) infections in the United States. Our report presents two cases of suspected donor-derived Parvovirus B19 infection in kidney transplant patients. Both cases had refractory anemia requiring treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin. These cases highlight the importance of awareness and monitoring of B19V infection in the context of recent epidemiologic trends to improve clinical outcomes in kidney transplant recipients.

Mystery Of Maha: Hypertension’S Twist Over Cancer’S Shadow, Andrew Takla, Gabriel Vachon, John Hix, Nagesh Jadhav

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA) refers to nonimmune hemolysis resulting from the intravascular fragmentation of red blood cells. The etiology of such disorders can range from primary thrombotic microangiopathic syndromes (TMA) to various systemic conditions, posing a diagnostic challenge. Prompt identification requires a sharp clinical assessment to improve outcomes.

When Elevated Creatinine Is Not What It Seems: Intraperitoneal Urinary Leak Mimicking Acute Kidney Injury, Hatem Ahmed, Mohamed K. Mansour, Hamza Obeid

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

Coexisting Renal Artery Stenosis And Large Angiomyolipoma In A Solitary Kidney: A Therapeutic Dilemma, Yohannes B. Tilahun, Arjun Sekar

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Title: Coexisting Renal Artery Stenosis and Large Angiomyolipoma in a Solitary Kidney: A Therapeutic Dilemma

Authors: Tilahun YB, Mentor/Attending: Sekar A

Background: Angiomyolipomas (AMLs) are the most common benign renal tumors, typically presenting as incidental findings. However, large AMLs can lead to life-threatening complications such as retroperitoneal hemorrhage, particularly in the setting of a solitary kidney. The presence of concomitant renal artery stenosis (RAS) further complicates management, posing a unique therapeutic challenge in balancing the need to prevent hemorrhage, preserve renal function, and optimize renovascular perfusion.

Case: A 77-year-old African American woman with a history of left nephrectomy for renal …

Beyond Appearances: A Case Report Of Mistaken Identity In Dialysis Access, Ephrem D. Demie, Shahin Owji, Mohammad Shafiq, Srikanth Raayasa

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Development Of A Continous Renal Replacement Therapy Protocol For A Midsize Community Hospital, Srinidhi Shyamkumar, Eric Riha, Crystal Ike, Rachel Wright, D Villareal, Justin Shanks, Damon Cao

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Key Considerations For Combination Therapy In Alzheimer’S Clinical Trials: Perspectives From An Expert Advisory Board Convened By The Alzheimer’S Drug Discovery Foundation, Jeffrey Cummings, Michael Gold, Mark Mintun, Michael Irizarry, Andrew Von Eschenbach, Suzanne Hendrix, Donald Berry, Cristina Sampaio, Kaycee Sink, Jaren Landen, Miia Kivipelto, Michael Grundman, Steven E Arnold, Allan Green, Katherine Partrick, Laura Nisenbaum, Aaron Burstein, Howard Fillit

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

There is growing consensus in the Alzheimer's community that combination therapy will be needed to maximize therapeutic benefits through the course of the disease. However, combination therapy raises complex questions and decisions for study sponsors, from preclinical research through clinical trial design to regulatory, statistical, and operational considerations. In January 2024, the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation convened an expert advisory board to discuss the key considerations in each of these areas. Experts agreed on the need to prioritize a combination therapy approach that encompasses a wide range of targets associated with aging and the underlying biology of Alzheimer's disease. Progress …

Cerebral Or Renal? Cerebral Salt Wasting In The Absence Of Cerebral Disease, Arthika Sakthevel, Nathan Shekey, Ramalakshmi Santhanam, Mohamed Faris

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Home Dialysis For Latinx Individuals Living With Kidney Failure: A Qualitative Study Of Interdisciplinary Dialysis Clinicians, Katherine Rizzolo, Rebeca Gonzalez Jauregui, Jade Teakell, Michel Chonchol, Sushrut S Waikar, Lilia Cervantes

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Key Points:

1. Individual-level advocacy to overcome structural barriers to home dialysis is key in improving home dialysis access for Latinx individuals.

2. Acknowledging patient influences on dialysis modality choice is critical for Latinx individuals with kidney failure.

3. Early, repeated education from a trusted source is important for Latinx individuals with kidney failure.

Background: Latinx individuals experience two times the incidence of kidney failure compared with non-Latinx individuals and are less likely to use home dialysis therapies. In this qualitative study, interdisciplinary home dialysis clinicians were interviewed to understand the key factors and strategies used by clinicians to improve home dialysis uptake …

Pengetahuan Dan Persepsi Keluarga Penderita Penyakit Ginjal Tahap Akhir (Pgta) Terhadap Transplantasi Ginjal Di Rs Hasan Sadikin Bandung, Rizqa Adinda Syakira, Helni Mariani, Rizky Andhika

Jurnal Penyakit Dalam Indonesia

Introduction. Kidney transplantation is the best kidney replacement therapy for End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients. The gap between the number of donors and recipients remains a problem contributing to the low rate of kidney transplantation in Indonesia. The families of ESRD patients are the most recommended donor candidates. Knowledge and perception have a crucial role in the decision to donate organs, making it important to know the knowledge and perception of ESRD patients’ families towards kidney transplantation. This study aimed to describe the knowledge and perception of families of ESRD patients undergoing dialysis at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General …

Assessing The Predictive Power Of Nutritional Indices On All-Cause And Cardiovascular Mortality In Hemodialysis Patients: A Longitudinal Study, Qian Wang, Zengchun Ye, Jialing Rao, Wenbo Zhao, Jianqiang Liu, Yanru Chen, Juncheng Xiang, Xin Zhen, Jiawen Li, Yunfang Zhang, Xianrui Dou, Zhaoyong Hu, Jun Zhang, Hui Peng

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: The prognostic value of nutritional scoring tools in assessing the relationship between nutritional status and prognosis in hemodialysis patients is unclear. This multicenter retrospective cohort study compared the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), Controlling Nutritional Status scores (CONUT), and Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) for predictive accuracy of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, especially the impact of dynamic changes over time on prognosis.

METHODS: Hemodialysis patients from four hospitals were included. Laboratory data and nutrition scores were collected at the initiation of dialysis, and at 6th, 12th, and 18th months after dialysis initiation. A joint model analyzed the relationship …

Macrophage Iron Dyshomeostasis Promotes Aging-Related Renal Fibrosis, Lingzhi Wu, Hongchun Lin, Shaomin Li, Yuebo Huang, Yuxiang Sun, Shuangshuang Shu, Ting Luo, Tiantian Liang, Weiyan Lai, Jialing Rao, Zhaoyong Hu, Hui Peng

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Renal aging, marked by the accumulation of senescent cells and chronic low-grade inflammation, leads to renal interstitial fibrosis and impaired function. In this study, we investigate the role of macrophages, a key regulator of inflammation, in renal aging by analyzing kidney single-cell RNA sequencing data of C57BL/6J mice from 8 weeks to 24 months. Our findings elucidate the dynamic changes in the proportion of kidney cell types during renal aging and reveal that increased macrophage infiltration contributes to chronic low-grade inflammation, with these macrophages exhibiting senescence and activation of ferroptosis signaling. CellChat analysis indicates enhanced communications between macrophages and tubular …

Pembrolizumab Induced Hyponatremia. A Case Report, Mouna Reghis, Taanvi Gowdar, Arjun Sekar

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte abnormality inpatient. Medications are a common cause of this. Cancer treatment has evolved with immune check point inhibitors replacing conventional chemotherapy agents. Pembrolizumab, which is a program cell death receptor-1 ligand has been shown to cause endocrinopathies. We describe a case of hyponatremia due to pembrolizumab

T-Bet Regulates Ion Channels And Transporters And Induces Apoptosis In Intestinal Epithelial Cells, Lang Chen, Hongwei Yi, Qingtian Li, Tianhao Duan, Xin Liu, Linfeng Li, Helen Y Wang, Changsheng Xing, Rong-Fu Wang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

T-bet, encoded by TBX21, is extensively expressed across various immune cell types, and orchestrates critical functions in their development, survival, and physiological activities. However, the role of T-bet in non-immune compartments, notably the epithelial cells, remains obscure. Herein, a Tet-O-T-bet transgenic mouse strain is generated for doxycycline-inducible T-bet expression in adult animals. Unexpectedly, ubiquitous T-bet overexpression causes acute diarrhea, intestinal damage, and rapid mortality. Cell-type-specific analyses reveal that T-bet-driven pathology is not attributable to its overexpression in CD4

Prioritization Of Kidney Cell Types Highlights Myofibroblast Cells In Regulating Human Blood Pressure, Mahboube Ganji-Arjenaki, Zoha Kamali, International Consortium Of Blood Pressure; Soroush Sardari, Soroush Sardari, Martin De Borst, Harold Snieder, Ahmad Vaez

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

INTRODUCTION: Blood pressure (BP) is a highly heritable trait with over 2000 underlying genomic loci identified to date. Although the kidney plays a key role, little is known about specific cell types involved in the genetic regulation of BP.

METHODS: Here, we applied stratified linkage disequilibrium score (LDSC) regression to connect BP genome-wide association studies (GWAS) results to specific cell types of the mature human kidney. We used the largest single-stage BP genome-wide analysis to date, including up to 1,028,980 adults of European ancestry, and single-cell transcriptomic data from 14 mature human kidneys, with mean age of 41 years.

RESULTS: …

Cystatin C Use For Ckd Detection In The Veterans Health Administration System: A Qualitative Study Of Barriers And Facilitators, Julio A Lamprea-Montealegre, Abigail Shapiro, Natalie A B Bontrager, Dena E Rifkin, Simerjot K Jassal, Lucile Parker Gregg, Sankar D Navaneethan, Krista Navarra, Michael G Shlipak, Michelle M Estrella, Virginia Wang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: The measurement of cystatin C has been recommended to enhance chronic kidney disease (CKD) detection and risk stratification in clinical practice. This study gathered insights into the perceptions and experiences of clinical staff regarding the use of cystatin C in CKD detection within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) system.

STUDY DESIGN: A qualitative approach was employed to explore barriers and facilitators of clinical staff regarding the use of cystatin C in CKD detection within the VHA system. The Organizational Theory of Implementation Effectiveness informed the development of a semistructured interview guide.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Health care providers, …

Specific Gravity Improves Identification Of Clinically Significant Quantitative Proteinuria From The Dipstick Urinalysis, Meredith C Mcadams, L Parker Gregg, Pin Xu, Song Zhang, Michael Li, Ella Carroll, Vaishnavi Kannan, Duwayne L Willett, S Susan Hedayati

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

KEY POINTS: Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio and urine protein-to-creatinine ratio are frequently obtained and represent possible tools for screening for proteinuria and thus early CKD. Adding specific gravity to dipstick proteinuria improves the ability to screen patients with clinically significant proteinuria and can be used to identify patients with early CKD.

BACKGROUND: CKD is often underdiagnosed during early stages when GFR is preserved because of underutilization of testing for quantitative urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) or urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR). Semiquantitative dipstick proteinuria (DSP) on urinalysis is widely obtained but not accurate for identifying clinically significant proteinuria.

METHODS: We identified all patients …

Establishing Kidney Transplantation In A Low-Income Country: A Case In Tanzania, Francis F. Furia, Jaqueline G. Shoo, Paschal Ruggajo, Jonathan W. Jonathan W. Mngumi, Valentine Valentine, Mahmoud A. Muhiddin, Kim Kim, Isaack Mlatie, Moses Mulungu, Namala Mkopi

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background

Sub-Saharan African countries, including Tanzania, have a high burden of chronic kidney diseases (CKDs) and limited capacity for the provision of services. Tanzania and other countries in the region have made signifcant improvements in the provision of services for patients with CKD, including hemodialysis. Few countries are ofering kidney transplantation services, which is the defnitive treatment for patients with CKD and kidney failure. This study was conducted to review the steps taken by Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) to establish a kidney transplantation service in Tanzania.

Methods

This study was based on the review of the activities that were undertaken …