Evaluation of Some Chemical Parameters of Hemodialysis Water: A Case Study in Iran.

Background: One of the most common diseases in the world is kidney failure, which can lead to the death of patients. Hemodialysis is a treatment for patients whose kidneys are failing. The water used to perform dialysis must be healthy, safe, and clean. This study aimed to investigate the concentration of heavy metals in hemodialysis water in one of the Hospitals in Iran and compare it with European Pharmacopeia (EPH) and Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) standards. Methods: The present study is a descriptive-analytical study conducted on the inlet water of hemodialysis machines in hospital. The samples were collected for 3 months from June to September 2021, Which was examined in terms of free residual chlorine, electrical conductivity, pH, and calcium, magnesium, sodium, aluminum, zinc, copper, and lead concentration. Metals concentration in hemodialysis water was measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) technique. Results: The average value of parameters such as electrical conductivity, pH, residual free chlorine, sodium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper and lead in the hemodialysis water was less than the AAMI and EPH standards limits. There was a significant difference at the 95% confidence level with the standard limits, but the aluminum concentration was higher than the standard limits. Also, by examining the medical files of dialysis patients, the most observed problems were anemia and bone diseases, which are probably caused by exposure to high concentrations of aluminum in hemodialysis water. Conclusion: In present study the aluminum concentration is higher than the standard limits. Considering that the higher aluminum concentration can cause diseases such as anemia, bone diseases, nervous deterioration, and death in hemodialysis patients, therefore, it is recommended to continuously evaluate and monitor the quality of hemodialysis water and the performance of its treatment system.

Is dialysis water a safe component for hemodialysis treatment in São Paulo State, Brazil?

Failure on the water treatment poses hemodialysis patients at risk of injury and death. Identifying if the patients are exposed to water quality related microbiological risks is an important objective to reduce the mortality for chronic renal patients and is the main issue of this study. We evaluated the microbiological water quality used by 205 dialysis services in São Paulo State, Brazil between 2010 to 2016. The study included heterotrophic bacteria count, total coliforms research, and bacterial endotoxin determination in 1366 dialysis water samples. The number of unsatisfactory clinics for at least one microbiological parameter decreased 16.0% between 2010 to 2015 but increased 57.2% in 2016. In 2010, the most frequent unsatisfactory parameter was related to heterotrophic bacteria count (54.8%) followed by endotoxin determination (45.2%). However, in 2013 an opposite situation was observed: endotoxin determination as the parameter of the higher incidence of nonconformities. Total coliform was verified at a lower frequency. We highlighted the importance of regular monitoring of dialysis water quality to prevent infections caused by dialytic procedures and to ensure that the water is a safe component of the treatment.

Hemodialysis Water Parameters as Predisposing Factors for Anemia in Patients in Dialytic Treatment: Application of Mixed Regression Models.

Contamination by metals and microbiological agents in hemodialysis water can cause clinical intercurrences in hemodialysis patients. Evaluating and assuring minimum levels of contamination from metals and microorganisms in hemodialysis water can improve patient safety. The objective of this study was to assess hemodialysis water quality in a major tertiary hospital in Brazil and investigate the relationship between hemodialysis water quality and clinical intercurrences in hemodialysis patients. A prospective-observational cohort study for evaluation of water quality parameters and clinical intercurrences present by patients (n = 52) were performed from May 2014 to April 2015. Mixed linear regression models and binary regression models were fitted for water quality parameters and patients' clinical parameters. The increase in the levels of copper and nitrate in hemodialysis water was significant (p < 0.05) to explain anemia. Bone pain was related to age, sex (female), and hemodialysis treatment duration (years). Hypotensive episodes were related to serum sodium decrease. Aluminum in hemodialysis water was present in an average concentration higher than the permitted threshold (15.35 ± 14.53 µg/L). Cadmium, total coliforms, Escherichia coli, and endotoxins in hemodialysis water were not detected and the heterotrophic bacteria count was below the reference limit. These parameters' concentrations varied during the study, evidencing the need for continuous monitoring.

In vitro studies of the antibacterial activity of Copaifera spp. oleoresins, sodium hypochlorite, and peracetic acid against clinical and environmental isolates recovered from a hemodialysis unit.

Background: Patients submitted to hemodialysis therapy are more susceptible to infection, especially to infection by Gram-positive bacteria. Various research works have attempted to discover new antimicrobial agents from plant extracts and other natural products. Methods: The present study aimed to assess the antibacterial activities of Copaifera duckei, C. reticulata, and C. oblongifolia oleoresins; sodium hypochlorite; and peracetic acid against clinical and environmental isolates recovered from a Hemodialysis Unit. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration and the Fractionated Inhibitory Concentration Index were determined; the ability of the tested compounds/extracts to inhibit biofilm formation was evaluated by calculating the MICB50 and IC50. Results: C. duckei was the most efficient among the assayed Copaifera species, and its oleoresin was more effective than peracetic acid and sodium hypochlorite. Copaifera oleoresins and disinfectants did not act synergistically at any of the tested combinations. Certain of C. duckei oleoresin, peracetic acid, and sodium hypochlorite concentrations inhibited biofilm formation and eradicated 50% of the biofilm population. Conclusion: C. duckei oleoresin is a potential candidate for disinfectant formulations. Based on these results and given the high incidence of multi-resistant bacteria in hemodialysis patients, it is imperative that new potential antibacterial agents like C. duckei oleoresin, which is active against Staphylococcus, be included in disinfectant formulations.

Magneto-actuated immunoassay for the detection of Mycobacterium fortuitum in hemodialysis water.

This paper addresses a sensitive method for the detection of mycobacteria in hemodialysis water samples based on a magneto-actuated immunoassay with optical readout. In this approach, micro (2.8µm) sized magnetic particles were modified with an antibody against the lipoarabinomannan (LAM) located in the mycobacterial cell wall. The system relies on the immunocapturing of the mycobacteria with the tailored antiLAM magnetic particles to pre-concentrate the bacteria from the hemodialysis samples throughout an immunological reaction. The performance of the immunomagnetic separation on the magnetic carrier was evaluated using confocal microscopy to study the binding pattern, as well as a magneto-actuated immunoassay with optical readout for the rapid detection of the bacteria in spiked hemodialysis samples. In this approach, the antiLAM polyclonal antibody was labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate. The optical readout was achieved by the incubation with a secondary anti-fluorescein antibody labeled with peroxidase as optical reporter. The magneto-actuated immunoassay was able to detect mycobacteria contamination in hemodialysis water at a limit of detection of 13CFUmL(-1) in a total assay time of 3h without any previous culturing pre-enrichment step.

Importancia sanitaria de Pseudomonas aeruginosa en agua de hemodiálisis y su desinfección / Health importance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in hemodyalisis water and its disinfection

Introducción: la contaminación microbiológica de los sistemas de tratamiento de agua para hemodiálisis es un problema actual, sobre todo, por la persistencia de determinados microorganismos en la formación del biofilm, entre ellos Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Objetivo: actualizar los conocimientos sobre la importancia sanitaria de Pseudomonas aeruginosa y su desinfección en agua de hemodiálisis, que aporten criterios para la toma de decisiones adecuadas. Métodos: los datos se obtuvieron de organismos internacionales como son la Asociación para el Avance de Instrumentos Médicos y la Organización Internacional de Normalización, de criterios de expertos y de resultados de laboratorio y guías de trabajo. Síntesis de la información: existen diferentes manera de actuar sobre la contaminación bacteriana, uno de ellos es evitarla, que se puede lograr si ciertos elementos del sistema son mejorados para crear finalmente un flujo turbulento y evitar la presencia de biofilm, también puede lograrse con calor o con productos químicos desinfectantes que deben estar validados. Sin embargo, para evitar la presencia de Pseudomonas aeruginosa y otros microorganismos, hay que poner énfasis en la limpieza y desinfección de forma regular y preventiva de todas las partes de los sistemas de tratamiento y de distribución de agua y de las máquinas de hemodiálisis. Conclusiones: el proceso de desinfección en el caso de contaminación por Pseudomonas aeruginosa en una planta de tratamiento es casuístico, teniendo en cuenta la diversidad de sistemas de tratamiento de agua, sistemas de distribución, su tiempo de explotación y la necesidad de tomar medidas puntuales para cada una de estos(AU)

Introduction: microbiological contamination of the hemodialysis water treatment is a present problem mainly because of the persistence of certain microorganisms in the biofilm formation, such as the case of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Objective: to update the knowledge on the health importance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and their disinfection in hemodialysis water for adequate decision-making. Methods: data were taken from international bodies such as the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instruments, the International Standardization Organization, expert criteria and lab results as well as work guidelines. Information synthesis: there are different ways of acting upon the bacterial contamination; one of them is to prevent it. This can be accomplished if certain elements of the system are improved to create a turbulent flow that prevents the presence of biofilm; it may also be attained by using heat or disinfectant chemical products that should be validated. However, for the purpose of preventing the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other microorganisms, emphasis must be made on regular and preventive cleaning and disinfection of all the parts of the water treatment and distribution systems and of the hemodialysis equipment. Conclusions: the process of disinfection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a water treatment plant is casuistic, taking into account the diversity of water treatment systems, distribution systems, operating time and need of taking point measures aimed at each of them(AU)

Evidência adicional de que uso de água ultrapura diminui inflamação em hemodiálise / Further evidence that ultrapure water decreases inflammation in hemodialysis

Introdução: Uso de membranas não bio- compatíveis e exposição a água imprópria para hemodiálise (HD) podem aumentar os níveis de Proteína- Creativa (PCR). Esse estudo, acompanhando um grupo de indivíduos em HD, avaliou padrões de inflamação antes e após a introdução de água ultrapura (AUP). Métodos: PCR foi determinada nos mesmos 31 pacientes antes e depois da introdução da AUP para HD. Episódios de calafrios (não associados com infecção detectada) e transfusões de sangue foram mensurados nos três meses precedendo as determinações laboratoriais. Dialisadores de polissulfona foram utilizados. Análise estatística: teste t para amostras pareadas, Wilcoxon- ranked signed test, qui- quadrado e odds- ratio. Resultados:A comparação entre os períodos de 3 meses antes e 3 meses após a implantação da AUP permitiu observar diferenças nos parâmetros: incidência decalafrios (42 episódios versus dois episódios em 1178 sessões, p< 0.0001); número de transfusões (0,193 versus 0,096 unidades/paciente/mês, p<0,0001); Hemoglobina (Hgb) média, (aumentou de 9.6±1.8 para 10.4±1.6 g/dL, p< 0.007); e PCR média (diminuiu de 1.05±0.74 para 0.43±0.23 mg/dL, p< 0.001). Conclusões: Significativa redução nos níveis de PCR, com marcada diminuição dos episódios de calafrios ocorreu, apontando para diminuição dos níveisinflamatórios após uso de AUP. O aumento de Hgb refletiu-se na diminuição da necessidade de transfusões, sugerindo que a AUP diminuiu a inflamaçãodos pacientes em HD.

Background: Use of non-biocompatible membranes and exposure to inappropriately treated hemodialysis (HD) water may increase C- reactive protein (CRP). This study, following a single group of HD individuals, evaluated signs of inflammation before and after using ultrapure water (UPW) for HD.Methods: CRP levels were measured in the same 31 patients before and after UPW implementation in HD. Episodes of chills (not associated with detectableinfections) and blood transfusions, were compared in the three months periods preceding the laboratory determinations. Polysulfone dialyzers were used. Statistical analysis was accomplished using paired t test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, chi-square test and odds-ratio. Results: The comparison between the3 months period preceding and following UPW implementation disclosed differences in the following parameters: incidence of chills (42 versus 2 episodesin 1178 HD sessions, p<0.001); number of blood transfusions ( 0.193 versus 0.096 units/patient/ month, p<0.0001). Mean Hemoglobin (increased from9.6±1.8 to 10.4±1.6 g/dL, p=0.01); and mean CRP (dropped from 1.05±0.74 to 0.48±0.23 mg/dL, p<0.001). Conclusions: A significant reduction in CRP levels occurred with marked decrease in the episodes of chills pointing to a diminished inflammatory process with the use of UPW. The increase in Hgblevels was reflected in the decrease of blood transfusion requirements, suggesting that the use of UPW reduces the inflammatory status of hemodialysispatients.