Validity of Strain Elastography in Renal Allograft Infection

Abstract

Background: Strain elastography is not routinely used by many clinicians to determine allograft dysfunction. Validity of strain elastography and renal histopathologic characteristics especially infected allograft have not been sufficiently evaluated in renal transplant recipients. Objective: To study the correlation between strain elastography and renal allograft infection in Kasr Al Ainy school of medicine -Cairo University. Design/Methods: In a single-center, prospective study involving 109 renal-allograft recipients, the strain elastography was evaluated in 109 renal transplant recipients to be correlated with renal allograft infection that was proved in (64 patients) by the laboratory and histopathological finding and (45 patients) without allograft infection. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between renal allograft infection and strain elastography (P value 0.447). Causes of allograft infection were CMV in (30.3%), UTI in (18.3%),) and BK polyomavirus in (10.1%). Histopathological findings in renal allograft biopsy were active ABMR in (6.4%), acute interstitial nephritis with neutrophils with bacterial infection in (18.3%), Acute TCMR in (6.4%), BK polyomavirus nephropathy with SV40 positive in (10.1%), chronic ABMR in (17.4%), chronic active ABMR in (7.3%), CMV nephropathy in (13.8%), mixed rejection in (3.7%) and tubular injury with viral infection in (16.5%).Conclusion: Strain elastography may not be useful  in renal allograft infection evaluation