Background:
Peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis is a serious complication of PD, but routine microbiological culture is slow and could not identify the organism in 15% cases. We examine the ...accuracy of polymerase chain reaction/electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry (PCR/ESI-MS), a PCR-based method developed for the direct detection of bacteria in blood, for rapid identification of microorganisms from PD effluent.
Methods:
We recruited 73 consecutive patients with PD-related peritonitis. Dialysis effluent was collected for routine bacterial culture, PCR/ESI-MS, and bacterial DNA quantification before initiation of antibiotic therapy.
Results:
By digital PCR with universal bacterial primers, bacterial DNA was detectable in all PD effluent specimens. For the entire cohort, taking standard bacterial culture as the gold standard, the PCR/ESI-MS assay correctly identified 34.3% of the causative organisms, failed to identify any organism in 52.1% cases, and identified a different organism in 8.2% cases. For the 14 episodes of peritonitis that were culture negative by conventional bacterial culture, the PCR/ESI-MS assay identified an organism in only four cases. The detection rate of the IRIDICA BAC BSI assay was not affected by the use of biocompatible PD solution or concomitant exit-site infection.
Conclusions:
The PCR/ESI-MS assay could not identify the causative organism in over 50% of the PD effluent samples in patients with PD-related peritonitis and should be not used for such purpose. The reason for the poor performance needs further investigation.
Glycated hemoglobin is used to assess diabetic control although its accuracy in dialysis has been questioned. How does it compare to the Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS) in peritoneal ...dialysis (PD) patients?
We conducted a retrospective analysis of 60 insulin-treated diabetic patients on PD. We determined the mean interstitial glucose concentration and the proportion of patients with hypoglycemia (<4 mmol/l) or hyperglycemia (>11 mmol/l).
The correlation between HbA1c and glucose was 0.48, p < 0.0001. Three of 15 patients with HbA1c >75 mmol/mol experienced significant hypoglycemia (14-144 min per day). The patients with frequent episodes of hypoglycemia could not be differentiated from those with frequent hyperglycemia by demographics or PD prescription.
HbA1c and average glucose levels measured by the CGMS are only weakly correlated. On its own, HbA1c as an indicator of glycemic control in patients with diabetes on PD appears inadequate. We suggest that the CGMS technology should be more widely adopted.
IntroductionDiabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease worldwide and a major cause of premature mortality in diabetes mellitus (DM). While improvements in care ...have reduced the incidence of kidney disease among those with DM, the increasing prevalence of DM means that the number of patients worldwide with DKD is increasing. Improved understanding of the biology of DKD and identification of novel therapeutic targets may lead to new treatments. A major challenge to progress has been the heterogeneity of the DKD phenotype and renal progression. To investigate the heterogeneity of DKD we have set up The East and North London Diabetes Cohort (HEROIC) Study, a secondary care-based, multiethnic observational study of patients with biopsy-proven DKD. Our primary objective is to identify histological features of DKD associated with kidney endpoints in a cohort of patients diagnosed with type 1 and type 2 DM, proteinuria and kidney impairment.Methods and analysisHEROIC is a longitudinal observational study that aims to recruit 500 patients with DKD at high-risk of renal and cardiovascular events. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data will be collected and assessed annually for 5 years. Renal biopsy tissue will be collected and archived at recruitment. Blood and urine samples will be collected at baseline and during annual follow-up visits. Measured glomerular filtration rate (GFR), echocardiography, retinal optical coherence tomography angiography and kidney and cardiac MRI will be performed at baseline and twice more during follow-up. The study is 90% powered to detect an association between key histological and imaging parameters and a composite of death, renal replacement therapy or a 30% decline in estimated GFR.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been obtained from the Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee (REC 18-LO-1921). Any patient identifiable data will be stored on a password-protected National Health Services N3 network with full audit trail. Anonymised imaging data will be stored in a ISO27001-certificated data warehouse.Results will be reported through peer-reviewed manuscripts and conferences and disseminated to participants, patients and the public using web-based and social media engagement tools as well as through public events.
Diabetes is an important cause of end stage renal failure worldwide. As renal impairment progresses, managing hyperglycaemia can prove increasingly challenging, as many medications are ...contra‐indicated in moderate to severe renal impairment. Whilst evidence for tight glycaemic control reducing progression to renal failure in patients with established renal disease is limited, poor glycaemic control is not desirable, and is likely to lead to progressive complications. Metformin is a first‐line therapy in patients with Type 2 diabetes, as it appears to be effective in reducing diabetes related end points and mortality in overweight patients. Cessation of metformin in patients with progressive renal disease may not only lead to deterioration in glucose control, but also to loss of protection from cardiovascular disease in a cohort of patients at particularly high risk. We advocate the need for further study to determine the role of metformin in patients with severe renal disease (chronic kidney disease stage 4‐5), as well as patients on dialysis, or pre‐/peri‐renal transplantation. We explore possible roles of metformin in these circumstances, and suggest potential key areas for further study.
The QuantiFERON® test (QFT) is a diagnostic tool for active and latent tuberculosis (TB) infections. High rates of positivity to QuantiFERON® have been demonstrated in patients with chronic kidney ...disease (CKD) and diabetic patients. We performed a pilot study to investigate if QFT positivity in diabetic CKD patients predicted the rate of renal function decline.
QFT was performed in 38 diabetic patients with CKD 4-5 not on dialysis. The rate of decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated.
18/38 patients had a positive QFT. Patients with a positive QFT had a steeper decline in eGFR, compared with patients with a negative QFT. Ethnicity (a marker of risk of previous TB exposure), urine protein/creatinine ratio, use of ACE inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers and statins, serum C-reactive protein, vitamin D levels, HbA1c concentration and presenting GFR did not differ significantly.
The finding in this small cohort needs to be replicated in a larger study because our study is susceptible to both type I and type II statistical error. We found that QFT positivity was associated with a more rapid rate of decline in GFR, but this association may be coincidental (with the difference in decline attributed to differences in the blood pressure or proteinuria of the two groups). Moreover, an association does not necessarily mean causality, although it would be interesting to speculate if we are identifying patients with latent TB who have an active interstitial nephritis. Another intriguing possibility is that this assay identifies patients with an immunological phenotype that predisposes to eGFR loss.
Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) continues to be a significant global public health issue. The escalating burden of CKD is probably driven by the aging population and the rising prevalence of ...diabetes. CKD not only adversely impacts an individual's health and well-being, but also poses significant challenge on the economy of the society. Summary: Experts from ten countries and regions around the world (Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and United States) convened in the 4th International Congress of Chinese Nephrologists on 1st December 2023 to discuss the global dialysis burden. Although the cost of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) accounts for 2-3% of total healthcare expenditure in developed countries, patients with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) only represent a small percentage (<0.5%) of the population. Importantly, the economic impact of ESKD is not limited to direct medical costs, but extends to indirect societal costs, such as productivity loss by patients and caregivers. Primary prevention of CKD, early screening and treatment to delay progression to ESKD (where treatment costs rise dramatically), and utilization of home-based dialysis therapy (including peritoneal dialysis and home hemodialysis) shall be implemented as part of cost-containment strategy. Kidney transplant provides better outcomes than dialysis and is cost-effective in long run, whereas conservative kidney management should be considered for elderly frail patients. Key messages: Implementation of preventive measures and cost-effective treatment strategies are the cornerstone to combat the global CKD epidemic.
Long-term effects on bone mineral density of pamidronate given at the time of renal transplantation.
Fracture rate after renal transplantation is substantially increased, is a source of morbidity and ...mortality, and correlates with osteopenia. The rate of bone loss after transplantation is time dependent. While we recorded marked bone loss during the first year after renal transplantation, bone loss in long-term recipients (>24 months) was found to be similar to expected age-related decline. We have previously shown that treatment with pamidronate at the time of transplantation protected the skeleton over a 1-year study period.
We have reexamined patients who participated in our original study, all of whom had been randomized to receive either placebo or pamidronate (0.5 mg/kg) at the time of transplantation and 1 month later. We now report 4-year data from 17 of the 26 original cohort. All patients received immunosuppression, comprising prednisolone, cyclosporine, and azathioprine.
We found that without prophylaxis bone loss at 4 years was substantial and significant at the femoral neck (mean loss was -12.3%) but was not significant at the lumbar spine (mean loss was -4.64%). Patients who received two doses of pamidronate experienced no statistically significant bone loss at either the femoral neck or the lumbar spine. Patient characteristics of the placebo and treatment groups were similar with the exception of serum parathyroid hormone concentrations, which remained higher at 4 years in the pamidronate-treated patients (15.8 ± 3.7 pmol/L vs. 9.8 ± 1.8 pmol/L, P < 0.05).
Without prophylaxis, most patients who continue to receive low dose glucocorticoids as part of maintenance immunosuppression manifest a substantial deficit in bone mineral density (BMD) at the femoral neck. In contrast, two doses of pamidronate given at the time of transplantation and 1 month later protected the skeleton from significant bone loss over the 4 years after transplantation.
Visualising rhabdomyolysis Walsh, Stephen, Dr; Fan, Stanley L, FRCP
The Lancet (British edition),
01/2009, Letnik:
373, Številka:
9658
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
In this case of rhabdomyolysis, the sarcolemmal disruption in the muscle caused calcium release and, following a reaction with the diphosphonate tracer, the subsequent formation of calcium phosphate ...salt - resulting in the radiolabelling of damaged muscle.
SUMMARY
Aim
Can we identify modifiable risk factors for peritonitis in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD)? We aimed to determine whether housing standard, PD exchange technique or patient ...motivation might be modifiable risks for peritonitis. We also explored the relationship between lack of motivation and depression.
Methods
Nurse home visits assessed PD exchange technique, environment and patient motivation. Motivation scores were correlated separately with an Apathy Evaluation Score and a depression score using PHQ‐9 questionnaires.
Results
Home hygiene, exchange technique and motivation were above average in 53%, 56% and 60%, respectively in 104 patients undergoing PD. After 15 months, 25.9% patients developed peritonitis but nurses' ratings of homes and exchange techniques were not predictive. Low patient motivation was predictive. Patients rated to have above or below median motivation had significantly different Apathy Scores (p = 0.0002). Unmotivated depressed patients were significantly more likely to develop peritonitis compared to motivated depressed patients.
Conclusion
Lack of motivation predicted peritonitis particularly if associated with depression. Further studies are required focusing on specific motivation scoring schemes and the psychosocial support that might lead to better outcomes.
Wegener granulomatosis classically involves the renal, respiratory, and ear, nose, and throat systems. Pulmonary hemorrhage is recognized as a severe respiratory complication. Untreated, the ...mortality rate approaches 90% at 2 years. We describe a case of Wegener granulomatosis with coexistent severe lung hemorrhage and pulmonary and deep vein thromboses. A 31-year-old man presented with features of vasculitis, including epistaxis, fever, and acute kidney injury with an increased serum creatinine level (3.27 mg/dL). Kidney biopsy confirmed pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis, and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody showing a cytoplasmic staining pattern was strongly positive. Standard immunosuppression therapy (prednisolone and cyclophosphamide) was started. Eleven days later, the patient developed sudden dyspnea. A computed tomographic pulmonary angiogram showed pulmonary emboli, and ultrasound of the limbs showed ileofemoral thrombi bilaterally. Subcutaneous enoxaparin and warfarin therapy was started, but 8 days later, the patient had a massive pulmonary hemorrhage. Anticoagulation therapy was stopped, and plasma exchange was started to prevent further life-threatening hemorrhage. An inferior vena cava filter was inserted to prevent further pulmonary emboli during the period when anticoagulation was withheld. Kidney function improved, and pulmonary hemorrhage resolved after 5 plasma exchanges. Reintroduction of intravenous heparin and subsequently warfarin caused no further bleeding. We discuss the difficult management dilemma this combination of disease manifestations presents and review the current literature.