A pinch of salt - A podcast by ERA

In this episode we will be talking to Luca Quartuccio, a rheumatologist and a renowned expert in cryoglobulinemia. You will hear about how we diagnose cryoglobulinemic vasculitis, whether we can have cryoglobulinemia without vasculitis, the types of cryoglobulinemia and their clinical significance, how to tackle secondary cryoglobulinemia with hepatitis C or B, first line therapy, the role of plas...

In this episode we will be talking to Giovanni Tripepi, an expert in biostatistics. Medicine is not just an art but also a science grounded in biostatistics, which is why it is crucial to understand it in order to conduct and interpret research properly. In this episode you will hear about the most common mistakes made by medical researchers when planning a project, the most common mistakes when i...

In this episode, we chat with Alice Sabatino from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden about diet and hyperkalemia. How have new potassium binders and RAAS inhibitors changed the way we manage potassium? And do patients really need to cut out fruits and vegetables anymore? Alice shares practical diet tips and fresh insights from recent research.

In this episode, we head to New Orleans, USA where Juan Carlos Q. Velez helps us unravel the mystery of hepatorenal syndrome. We’ll explore its mechanisms, the two distinct types, and evolving treatment strategies that might finally improve outcomes for patients with advanced liver disease.

In this episode, Charles Ferro from Birmingham, United Kingdom, presents the ERA’s Strong Kidneys Task Force. Learn how this Task Force is raising global awareness about kidney health, building partnerships with national societies, and inspiring people to take care of their kidneys.

In this episode we explore a very rare, but devastating disease called primary hyperoxaluria, which usually destroys the kidneys when patients are still very young and afterwards, the calcium oxalate crystals deposit in the bones, joints, vessel walls, the heart and other organs, leading to a dramatic shortening of life. Effectively the patient is slowly turning into stone. Justine Bacchetta, a wo...

In this episode we navigate another difficult disease to treat, that is antibody-mediated rejection of kidney transplants, a disease that currently has no effective standard treatment. Luckily, new therapy is on the horizon, and the sunrise will be coming soon. Georg Böhmig has been involved in most of the exciting new research done in this field and will inform us of all the novelties that are ju...

Ivo Laranjinha and Susi Knöller from the ERA Sustainable Nephrology Task Force share insights on practical actions that can make a measurable difference in nephrology. By the end of the conversation, it became clear that green nephrology isn’t boring, it represents the opportunity of this generation. In this episode, we refer to an article featured in Clinical Kidney Journal (CKJ), you can find th...

Marieta Theodorakopoulou reveals why excess weight is a silent but powerful driver of chronic kidney disease. With obesity rates soaring, especially among younger generations, she guides us through the mechanisms of obesity-associated renal  lesions, how to tailor treatments for obese CKD patients, and what we know about the renal safety of anti-obesity drugs.

In this episode we dive into the rapidly expanding world of onconephrology with Kenar D. Jhaveri. He explains the scope of this emerging subspecialty, identifies the top oncologic agents linked to kidney complications, and shares resources to help nephrologists stay ahead in this ever-changing field. 

Jolanta Małyszko takes us through a condition that sits at the crossroads of hematology and nephrology. She explains how these protein abnormalities can quietly damage the kidneys, why early recognition is essential, and how collaboration between specialties can improve outcomes. 

Christophe Mariat, from Saint-Étienne, France, and Chair of the ERA DESCaRTES Working Group, takes us through the complex topic of adapting anti-rejection treatment in the context of a failing renal graft. He shares valuable insights on renal graft survival rates, strategies for adjusting immunosuppressive treatments when the kidney starts failing, and the adaptations needed in antirejection strat...

Ilaria Gandolfini, from the Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy — not far from the ERA headquarters — unpacks the changing landscape of infection prophylaxis for renal transplant recipients in 2025. In this dense and informative episode, she highlights the current infectious challenges in renal transplantation, the emergence of new infectious risks, the development of no...

We have the honour to chat with David Cooper, a living legend in xenotransplantation, who has followed this field for over half a century. This is a captivating discussion about the evolution of xenotransplantation, exploring the scientific, ethical, and practical aspects of building this emerging ecosystem, a field we all observe with great curiosity and high expectations.

Ever wanted to attend a master class on IgG4-related disease? Even if your answer is no, you still won’t want to miss this episode of A Pinch of Salt. John Stone, a world renowned expert in IgG4RD, is going to share all the clinically relevant details on how to diagnose IgG4RD, how to do the staging, how important is a biopsy, which lab tests to use to assess disease activity, how to treat these p...

We know, C3 glomerulopathy is a difficult subject. All this complement talk will make a person tired and slightly confused. Here’s your chance to discover this disease in an easy yet comprehensive and meaningful way. Marina Vivarelli, C3G-s enemy in chief, is going to share the most important information about this disease, everything from the pathophysiology and genetics, to diagnostics, differen...

Everything about atypical HUS is atypical, and frankly a bit annoying. The differential diagnosis is as wide as the ocean and when it comes to genetics, well that would make even a psychologically stable fellow nervous. Luckily, we’ve found help of the highest degree. Neil Sheerin has been tackling this animal for ages and has gotten to know all of its tricks and dirty plays. Tune in to our atypic...

Steroids have long been a cornerstone in treating ANCA-associated vasculitis, but their toxicity remains a significant challenge. Could Avacopan, a selective oral C5a receptor antagonist, provide a safer and more effective alternative? In this episode, you’ll hear about what’s new in the pathophysiology of ANCA vasculitis, current remission induction therapies, the place of Avacopan in the treatme...

We’re focusing on a challenging topic: anticoagulation in CKD patients with atrial fibrillation. With up to 25% of CKD patients affected, managing this common arrhythmia is no easy task. How do we balance stroke prevention and bleeding risks? What’s the role of DOACs versus vitamin K antagonists? And should dialysis patients even receive anticoagulation? Are there any new treatment options? To hel...