Nephrology

Nephrology Clinic in Timișoara: Tradition and Modernity

The Nephrology Clinic in Timișoara continues the prestigious legacy of the of the 2nd Medical Clinic under the leadership of Professor Dr. C. Zosin, a pioneer of modern nephrology in Romania. Under his coordination and in collaboration with the Urology Clinic, the first kidney transplant in the country was performed in Timișoara.

Significant Milestones

• Division of the 2nd Medical Clinic (1993):
  As a result of reorganization, two entities were established: the Nephrology Clinic and the Gastroenterology Clinic.
• Leadership
  1. Univ. Dr. Gh. Gluhovschi (1993–2010): Continued the clinic’s tradition and contributed to the development of the Timișoara nephrology school.
  2. Univ. Dr. A. Schiller (2010–2024): Maintained excellence in clinical practice, education, and research.
  3. Univ. Dr. Flaviu Bob (since 2024): The new head of the clinic, with a modern vision and a focus on innovation and interdisciplinary research.

Educational Activities

The Nephrology Clinic serves as an educational hub for both undergraduate and postgraduate training in nephrology. The clinic’s team provides integrated education, preparing 5th-year students from the Faculty of Medicine (Romanian, English, French) and 2nd-year students from the Faculty of General Nursing.

• Training for 5th-year General Medicine students takes place over 14 weeks (14 lectures) in the amphitheater of the County Clinical Hospital.
• Practical training (4 hours per week) includes case presentations, abdominal ultrasound, renal biopsy procedures, and renal replacement therapies (hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis). (Head of the University Clinic of Nephrology, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara – Prof. Univ. Dr. Petrica Ligia).

At the Nephrology Clinic, residency training is provided for doctors specializing in nephrology, and examinations for specialty and senior physician certifications are organized (Nephrology Residency Coordinator – Prof. Dr. Flaviu Bob). As part of continuous medical education, pathology and clinical meetings are held in collaboration with the pathology laboratory of County Emergency Hospital ‘Pius Brinzeu’ Timisoara. Additionally, an annual postgraduate course on renal biopsies is organized under the auspices of ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara.

Continuing the clinic’s focus on renal ultrasonography, a biannual course on Ultrasound of the Urinary System in Adults is organized. This course is recognized as a complementary studies certification, approved by the Ministry of Health. The national coordinators of the course are Prof. Dr. Ligia Petrica (‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara) and Lecturer Dr. Mirela Gliga (George Palade University, Faculty of Medicine, Tg. Mureș). The local coordinators at the Timișoara training center are Prof. Dr. Ligia Petrica and Prof. Dr. Flaviu Bob.

Clinical Activity

In medical education, teaching and research activities are strongly interconnected with clinical practice. The Nephrology Clinic provides a range of inpatient nephrology services, being the only university-affiliated nephrology diagnostic and treatment clinic in Western Romania. This unique status offers an ideal setting for both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education:

1. Etiological diagnosis, severity assessment, and treatment to slow progression in advanced forms of chronic kidney disease (CKD), including diabetic and hypertensive kidney disease; hospitalization and treatment of complications and infectious, cardiovascular, etc., comorbidities in advanced CKD (stages 3, 4, and 5). Hospitalization of CKD patients requiring vascular access procedures for hemodialysis, as well as those needing the initiation of chronic hemodialysis. Additionally, the clinic admits and treats chronically hemodialyzed patients (within the national program) who present with intercurrent conditions or severe comorbidities requiring hospitalization.
2. Imaging evaluation using modern methods (contrast-enhanced ultrasound – CEUS and elastography) and renal biopsy procedures for patients indicated for these investigations. This category includes patients with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (including cases associated with systemic vasculitis or collagen diseases), some of whom require plasmapheresis sessions.
3. Diagnosis and treatment of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), both in its primary form and as a superimposed condition on CKD, regardless of etiology (septicemia, septic shock of any origin—pressure ulcers, pulmonary infections, etc.).
4. Treatment of complications in kidney transplant patients (monitored through the specialty outpatient clinic) who require hospitalization and specific treatment.
5. Diagnosis and treatment of patients within the National Rare Diseases Program, including:
   • Fabry Disease (Program Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Ligia Petrica)
   • Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (Program Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Flaviu Bob)
6. Hospitalization of patients enrolled in the Peritoneal Dialysis Program, within the Peritoneal Dialysis Unit.

Scientific Research

The clinic’s team has been actively engaged in scientific research since its establishment. Since 2021, research activities have also been conducted within the Molecular Research Center for Nephrology and Vascular Pathology, founded within the “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Ligia Petrica. Over time, the clinic’s extensive research activity has resulted in the publication of numerous books and treatises, specialized articles in ISI-indexed journals, doctoral theses, and presentations at national and international congresses.

Research Topics of Interest

• Epidemiology of Chronic Kidney Disease.
• Immunopathology and Immunohistochemistry of Glomerular Nephropathies.
• Balkan Endemic Nephropathy and Diabetic Nephropathy.
• Monitoring of Hemodialysis Patients.
• Drug-Induced Nephrotoxicity and Tubulointerstitial Nephropathies.

Results

Publication of studies in ISI-indexed international journals, doctoral theses, and participation in national and international scientific events.

Molecular Research Center for Nephrology and Vascular Pathology (MOL-NEFRO-VASC) – Director: Prof. Univ. Dr. Ligia Petrica, established in 2021, ranked 3rd out of 10 advanced research centers in the 2024 competition, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara.

Remarkable Contributions

• Organization of National and International Congresses, including:
  • National Congress of Immunology (1998)
  • National Congress of Nephrology (2011)
  • Renal Failure Academy (2010)
  • Balkan Congress of Nephrology (BANTAO, 2013)
• Involvement in Interdisciplinary Projects, such as NefroCarDia (2011), which brought together experts in nephrology, cardiology, and diabetology.

Under the leadership of Prof. Univ. Dr. Flaviu Bob (Head of the Nephrology Clinic, County Emergency Hospital ‘Pius Brinzeu’ Timisoara) and Prof. Univ. Dr. Ligia Petrica (Head of the University Nephrology Clinic, ‘Victor Babes’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara), the clinic enters a new phase, strengthening its position as a center of excellence in education, research, and clinical practice.