1.Study of histopathological features in membranous nephropathy
Khaliun B ; Ulzii-Orshikh N ; Ariunbold J ; Khurtsbayar D ; Chuluuntsetseg D ; Enkhtamir E ; Ariunaa T ; Saruultuvshin A
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2025;86(2):84-90
Background:
Membranous nephropathy (MN) is among the most common causes of nephrotic syndrome in adults. MN
is diagnosed in one third of cases of nephrotic syndrome on kidney biopsy. Kidney biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing
MN and plays an important role in determining the severity of the disease and in determining treatment decisions
and regimens. Therefore, the lack of research on kidney biopsy in Mongolia is the reason for this study.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to investigate the pathological features in the kidney tissues of patients with primary
membranous nephropathy diagnosed by kidney biopsy.
Materials and Methods:
A retrospective study was conducted on 51 cases of MN diagnosed in kidney biopsies performed
at the First Central Hospital of Mongolia (FCHM) over a period of 12 years. Renal function was calculated using
the CKD-EPI (2021) formula and classified into the stage of CKD by eGFR. Histopathological findings were examined
using 4 light microscopy (LM) stains (Hematoxylin-Eosin, Masson-Trichrome, PAS, and Methenamine silver staining)
and 8 immunofluorescence (IF) microscopy stains (IgG, A, M, complement C3, C4, C1q, and kappa, lambda). The study
excluded secondary MN based on viral markers, tumor markers, and serological tests. Statistical analysis was performed
using SPSS and STATA 15.0 software, using t-tests, Pearson’s chi-square tests, and multiple group comparisons were
performed using ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis methods. The study design was approved by the Ethics Committee of the
MNUMS, Mongolia. (№ 2023/3-07)
Results:
A total of 305 kidney biopsies performed at the Kidney Center of the FCHM between 2011 and 2023 resulted in
the diagnosis of 51 cases of primary MN. The mean age of patients with membranous nephropathy was 40.6±9.3 years,
with the oldest age of 65 and the youngest of 22 years, and 36 (70.59%) were male and 15 (29.41%) were female. In the
kidney biopsy, the average number of glomeruli was 16.51±7.82 (min-max, 3-54), and by LM, 33.3% showed global
sclerosis of glomeruli by hematoxylin-eosin staining, 94.12% showed thickening of the glomerular basement membrane
(GBM), 31.2% showed double counter staining of subepithelial immune complexes by methenamine-silver staining,
88.24% showed holes in the GBM, and 54.9% showed spike-like changes by Masson-Trichrome staining. IF showed IgG
3+ in 37.3%, 2+ in 39.2%, 1+ in 13.7%, and trace staining in 9.8%, while 74.5% of the cases were positive for C3, 93.1%
for kappa, and 79.5% for lambda. LM showed thickening of the GBM (OR 23.5, 95% CI 0.093-0.53, p value= 0.007)
and interstitial fibrosis (95% CI 6.98-31.07, p value= 0.003) contributing to the decrease in eGFR. The mean time from
the onset of the first symptoms of kidney disease to the time of kidney biopsy was 35.35±61.54 months. Patients who
underwent biopsy later (in months) after the diagnosis of the disease had a higher incidence of interstitial fibrosis (74.6 ±
98.43, 95% CI -90.52-20.68, p value = 0.002).
Conclusion
The histopathological features of MN confirmed by kidney biopsy showed thickening of the GBM in
94.12%, global sclerosis in 33.3%, and holes in 88.2%. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed 100% IgG staining,
while C3, kappa, and lambda were positive in 74.5%, 93.1%, and 79.5%, respectively.
2.Ischemic polypectomy for small bowel polyps in pediatric Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
Ulzii D ; Sarantuya G ; Sainzaya B ; Sarangerel U ; Khishigt N ; Byambajav Ts ; Enkhjin B ; Tsevelnorov Kh
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2025;87(3):35-39
Backround
Peutz–Jeghers (PJ) syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disorder
characterized by a mucocutaneous pigmentationon on oral mucosa and
multiple hamartomatous polyps located in the digestive tract except esophagus.
PJ syndrome can be diagnosed in early childhood by a characteristic pigmentation
and family history of polyposis. However, it is often diagnosed first
as a polyp in the small intestine that causes obstruction and intussusception
and is often treated with a bowel resection. If diagnosed in young childhood,
an effective non-invasive method is to resect the polyps by tying off the blood
supply to the polyps, that is the method named ischemic polypectomy, before
they grow to the point of obstruction using a endoscopy. PJ syndrome is rare
in Mongolia, but in severe cases, small intestine polyps are treated only surgically.
Double-balloon-endoscopy (DBE) has been performed at the Mongolian-
Japanese Hospital since 2023, making it possible to diagnose and treat
the syndrome endoscopically. Our patient, a 15-year-old boy, had a mucocutaneous
pigmentation that had been previously undiagnosed and was first diagnosed
with intussusception at the age of 13. He had undergone 4 endoscopic
procedures for upper and lower gastrointestinal polyps at the National Center
for Maternal and Child Health successfully. In our hospital, we found endoscopically
multiple hamartomatous polyps of various sizes between 1-3 cm,
and a 3 mm diameter tumor that filled 3/4 of the intestinal lumen was treated
by ischemic polypectomy.
After the procedure, there were no early or late complications related to
the procedure. The child's condition improved, the main complaints subsided,
and he continues his daily life normally. However, follow-up DBE is required.
3.Short-term effects of hot spring therapy on asthma
Densenbal D ; Ichinnorov D ; Ankhbold G ; Amarsanaa O ; Battsengel Ts ; Zesemdorj O ; Janchivdorj Z ; Ankhil L ; Tseepil E ; Tumen-Ulzii G ; Еkaterina Faermark ; Odonchimeg B ; Solongo B
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2025;86(2):19-23
Background:
Asthma management should be individualized, evidence-based, aimed at controlling clinical symptoms,
preventing severe exacerbations, and improving quality of life. Studies have shown that inhalation therapy with iodine-
bromide saltwater improves lung function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), while radon-containing
mineral water inhalation reduces inflammation and oxidative stress in asthma. Several studies have analyzed the
composition of the Shargaljuut hot spring, with Oyuntsesteg et al. identifying high levels of Na+-HCO3
- and Na+-SO4.
Other studies on mineral water therapies have reported benefits such as thinning bronchial secretions, improving sputum
clearance, reducing inflammation and acidity, mitigating oxidative stress, and enhancing quality of life.
Aim:
To study the effectiveness of combined asthma treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and hot spring inhalation.
Materials and Methods:
The study included 67 participants diagnosed with asthma who consented to participate and
underwent 10 days of combined inhaled corticosteroid therapy and mineral water inhalation at Shargaljuut sanatorium. A
total of 57 participants completed the pre- and post-treatment assessments. Treatment result was assessed using Asthma
control questionnaire 7, asthma symptom control with Asthma Control Test (ACT), and exercise tolerance by a 6-minute
walk test. Chest X-rays were taken for all participants to rule out pneumonia, cancer, or pulmonary fibrosis. Treatment
outcomes were evaluated using ACT scores, peripheral blood eosinophil count, total IgE levels in serum, spirometry indices
(FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC), and the 6-minute walk distance.
Results:
The average age of participants was 52±12 years, with a predominance of females. The mean asthma control
score was 14.2±4.80, indicating poor asthma control. After 10 days of inhaling corticosteroids combined with hot spring
inhalation post-treatment quality of life increased by 0.5 points, FEV1 improved by 7.5%, FVC by 4.2%, peripheral
blood eosinophil count decreased by 0.3%, and total Ig E levels dropped from 73.3 (22.5; 216) to 73.2 (21.3; 223) u/ml
(p=0.000).
Conclusion
In cases of uncontrolled asthma remission, combining of inhaled corticosteroid therapy with hot spring
inhalation at Shargaljuut improved asthma symptoms, quality of life, enhanced lung function, and reduced inflammatory
markers (p<0.001).