Human T-cell leukaemia virus type 1 and Adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma in Queensland, Australia: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Human T-cell leukaemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), an STI, is reported to be highly prevalent in Indigenous communities in Central Australia. HTLV-1 is an incurable, chronic infection which can cause Adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATL). ATL is associated with high morbidity and mortality, with limited treatment options. We studied the prevalence of HTLV-1 and ATL in the state of Queensland, Australia. METHODS: Serum samples stored at healthcare services in Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns and at haemodialysis units in Brisbane (2018-2019) were screened for HTLV-1/2 antibodies using the Abbott ARCHITECT chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) for antibodies against gp46-I, gp46-II and GD21 (Abbott CMIA, ARCHITECT). Reactive samples were confirmed through Western blot. Pooled Australian National Cancer Registry surveillance data reporting on cases coded for ATL (2004-2015) were analysed. RESULTS: Two out of 2000 hospital and health services samples were confirmed HTLV-1-positive (0.1%, 95% CI 0.02% to 0.4%), both in older women, one Indigenous and one non-Indigenous. All 540 haemodialysis samples tested negative for HTLV. All samples were HTLV-2-negative. Ten out of 42 (24.8%) reported cases of ATL in Australia were from Queensland (crude incidence rate 0.025/100 000; 95% CI 0.011 to 0.045); most cases were seen in adult men of non-Indigenous origin. Nineteen deaths due to ATL were recorded in Australia. CONCLUSION: We confirm that HTLV-1 and ATL were detected in Queensland in Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. These results highlight the need for HTLV-1 prevalence studies in populations at risk of STIs to allow the implementation of focused public health sexual and mother-to-child transmission prevention strategies.

Altered dietary salt intake for people with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Evidence indicates that reducing dietary salt may reduce the incidence of heart disease and delay decline in kidney function in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This is an update of a review first published in 2015. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the benefits and harms of altering dietary salt for adults with CKD. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Register of Studies up to 6 October 2020 through contact with the Information Specialist using search terms relevant to this review. Studies in the Register are identified through searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, conference proceedings, the International Clinical Trials Register (ICTRP) Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials comparing two or more levels of salt intake in adults with any stage of CKD. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently assessed studies for eligibility, conducted risk of bias evaluation and evaluated confidence in the evidence using GRADE. Results were summarised using random effects models as risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous outcomes or mean differences (MD) for continuous outcomes, with 95% confidence intervals (CI). MAIN RESULTS: We included 21 studies (1197 randomised participants), 12 in the earlier stages of CKD (779 randomised participants), seven in dialysis (363 randomised participants) and two in post-transplant (55 randomised participants). Selection bias was low in seven studies, high in one and unclear in 13. Performance and detection biases were low in four studies, high in two, and unclear in 15. Attrition and reporting biases were low in 10 studies, high in three and unclear in eight. Because duration of the included studies was too short (1 to 36 weeks) to test the effect of salt restriction on endpoints such as death, cardiovascular events or CKD progression, changes in salt intake on blood pressure and other secondary risk factors were examined. Reducing salt by mean -73.51 mmol/day (95% CI -92.76 to -54.27), equivalent to 4.2 g or 1690 mg sodium/day, reduced systolic/diastolic blood pressure by -6.91/-3.91 mm Hg (95% CI -8.82 to -4.99/-4.80 to -3.02; 19 studies, 1405 participants; high certainty evidence). Albuminuria was reduced by 36% (95% CI 26 to 44) in six studies, five of which were carried out in people in the earlier stages of CKD (MD -0.44, 95% CI -0.58 to -0.30; 501 participants; high certainty evidence). The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of lower salt intake on weight, as the weight change observed (-1.32 kg, 95% CI -1.94 to -0.70; 12 studies, 759 participants) may have been due to fluid volume, lean tissue, or body fat. Lower salt intake may reduce extracellular fluid volume in the earlier stages of CKD (-0.87 L, 95% CI -1.17 to -0.58; 3 studies; 187 participants; low certainty evidence). The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of lower salt intake on reduction in antihypertensive dose (RR 2.45, 95% CI 0.98 to 6.08; 8 studies; 754 participants). Lower salt intake may lead to  symptomatic hypotension (RR 6.70, 95% CI 2.40 to 18.69; 6 studies; 678 participants; moderate certainty evidence). Data were sparse for other types of adverse events. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We found high certainty evidence that salt reduction reduced blood pressure in people with CKD, and albuminuria in people with earlier stage CKD in the short-term. If such reductions could be maintained long-term, this effect may translate to clinically significant reductions in CKD progression and cardiovascular events. Research into the long-term effects of sodium-restricted diet for people with CKD is warranted.

Utility of 'back-up' arterio-venous fistulae in patients on peritoneal dialysis and use of haemodialysis catheters.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis may require unanticipated transfer to haemodialysis. Back up fistula are often created in selected patients. These may help reduce the infective burden of haemodialysis (HD) catheter. AIM: To study the utility of back-up arterio-venous fistulae (AVF) in patients initiated on peritoneal dialysis (PD) and to determine the rates of HD catheter use in patients requiring conversion to HD. METHODS: Data on HD transfer and HD catheter usage were retrospectively analysed in all patients initiating PD between January 2010 and December 2014 at Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH; universal back-up AVF creation at PD commencement) and Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH; selective back-up AVF creation in 'high risk' patients). RESULTS: A total of 374 patients initiated PD during the study period: 142 in RAH group and 232 in PAH group. The groups were reasonably comparable, except that RAH patients were more likely to be older, Caucasian and diabetic. Transfer to HD occurred in 33 (23%) patients in RAH group and 99 (43%) in the PAH group with respective median times to HD transfer of 289 and 295 days. HD catheter usage was required at the time of HD transfer in 11 (33%) patients at RAH and 64 (65%) in patients at PAH (P < 0.001). AVF complications occurred in 13 (9%) patients in RAH group (fistuloplasty n = 8, transposition n = 2, ligation due to ischaemia n = 2 and construction of new AVF n = 1). CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing PD frequently require urgent unanticipated transfer to HD and back-up AVF can be successfully utilised in this setting in the majority of cases, which in turn can reduce the infective burden of HD catheter exposure.

Methamphetamine intoxication and acute kidney injury: A prospective observational case series.

AIM: The effects of methamphetamine intoxication on the kidney are not well reported. We aimed to investigate acute kidney injury (AKI) associated with methamphetamine intoxication, in particular its severity, duration and association with rhabdomyolysis. METHODS: This is a prospective observational series of methamphetamine-intoxicated patients presenting to an Emergency Department. Patients self-reporting recent methamphetamine use, with a positive urine drug screen and an elevated creatinine, were eligible for the study. Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) was measured, and serum creatinine, creatine kinase and cystatin C concentrations were performed on arrival and at several time points until discharge from hospital. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from the medical records. RESULTS: There were 634 presentations with methamphetamine intoxication over a 10-month period, with 73/595(12%) cases having an elevated serum creatinine concentration on arrival. Fifty presentations in 48 patients were included in the study. Most patients (85%) were male with a median age of 32 years. The median serum creatinine concentration on presentation was 125 µmol/L (IQR:113-135 µmol/L) with 45 (90%) presentations meeting diagnostic criteria for AKI. Concurrent rhabdomyolysis occurred in 22 (44%) presentations with a median CK of 2695 U/L (IQR:1598-5060 U/L). Cystatin C was elevated (> 0.98 mg/L) in 18 cases. An elevated NGAL concentration (>150 µg/L) was present in five (10%) cases. No patients required dialysis. The median length of stay was 19 hours (IQR 14-24 hours). CONCLUSION: AKI is common in methamphetamine intoxication. The kidney injury is relatively mild and short-lived, resolving with crystalloid therapy.

Baseline characteristics of patients with atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS): The Australian cohort in a global aHUS registry.

AIMS: To describe the baseline characteristics and treatment of Australian patients diagnosed with atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS) reported to the Global aHUS Registry. METHODS: Descriptive analysis of the Australian cohort with aHUS (n = 106) was undertaken for demographics, disease characteristics and prior treatment with eculizumab; comparing with the global cohort (n = 1688) for certain pre-specified disease characteristics. RESULTS: In Australia, almost two-thirds of patients diagnosed with aHUS were female and over 80% of patients were Caucasians, with similar proportions reported in the global cohort. Less than 6% of patients in the Australia and global cohorts were reported to have a history of autoimmune disease (4% vs 2%, respectively; P = .21) or cancer (5% vs 5%, respectively; P = .93), conditions that have been associated with secondary HUS. In the Australian cohort, 26% had received a kidney transplant and 68% of patients had received eculizumab. Kidneys were the most common organ involvement, followed by gastrointestinal tract (26%) and cardiovascular system (19%), with 35% of patients reported to have had at least two organs involved within 6 months prior to baseline visit or entry into the registry. Complement factor H was the most common pathogenic complement gene variant in the Australian patients. CONCLUSION: Data from the aHUS registry confirms and defines region-specific disease characteristics among a selected group of Australian children and adults with aHUS reported to the registry. Ongoing and more inclusive data will provide further information about temporal trends and treatment outcomes, representing a unique opportunity for clinicians and researchers to further develop knowledge surrounding this rare disease.

Disseminated cryptococcosis presenting initially as lower limb cellulitis in a renal transplant recipient - a case report.

BACKGROUND: Cellulitis is an unusual presentation of disseminated cryptococcosis, a serious infection seen predominantly in immunocompromised hosts. Disseminated cryptococcosis carries significant morbidity for transplant recipients, especially of the pulmonary and central nervous systems, and carries a high mortality risk. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 59-year-old renal transplant recipient who presented with bilateral lower leg cellulitis without other symptoms or signs. Failure of conventional therapy for cellulitis prompted a skin biopsy confirming cryptococcal cellulitis. Additional evaluation to exclude disseminated disease revealed Cryptococcus neoformans in blood cultures and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Treatment included reduction in immunosuppression regimen and targeted treatment for cryptococcal disease with liposomal amphotericin B and flucytosine followed by fluconazole consolidation and maintenance therapy. Treatment with liposomal amphotericin B and flucytosine followed by fluconazole consolidation and maintenance therapy achieved a good clinical response. Our patient achieved significant reduction in leg cellulitis and recovered without serious complication. CONCLUSIONS: This case suggests that cutaneous cryptococcosis in immunosuppressed patients warrants a low threshold for investigation for disseminated disease even in the absence of other symptoms or signs.

Progression of arterial stiffness is associated with changes in bone mineral markers in advanced CKD.

BACKGROUND: Arterial stiffness is an independent predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). There are limited prospective data however on progression of arterial stiffness in CKD, including evaluating associations with bone mineral markers such as fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and soluble α-klotho (sKl). METHODS: In this prospective, single-center, observational study, arterial stiffness [measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV)] and hormones influencing mineral homeostasis, including serum FGF23 and sKl, were compared between non-dialysis CKD stages 4/5 and healthy controls at baseline and 12 months (12 m). Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) was quantitated using lateral lumbar radiography at baseline. RESULTS: Forty patients with CKD [mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 19.5 ± 6.7 mL/min/1.73m2] and 42 controls (mean eGFR 88.6 ± 12.9 mL/min/1.73m2) completed follow-up. There were no differences in age, gender and body mass index between groups. A significant increase in FGF23 [240.6 (141.9-1129.8) to 396.8 (160.3-997.7) pg/mL, p = 0.001] was observed in the CKD group but serum phosphate, corrected calcium, parathyroid hormone and sKl did not change significantly over 12 m. At baseline, CKD subjects had higher AAC prevalence [83.8% versus (vs.) 43.6%, p = 0.002] and higher aortic PWV [9.7(7.6-11.7) vs. 8.1 (7.2-9.7) m/s, p = 0.047] compared to controls. At 12 m, aortic PWV increased by 1.3 m/s (95% confidence interval, 0.56 to 2.08, p < 0.001) in the CKD cohort, with 30% of subjects showing progression from normal aortic elasticity to stiffening (PWV > 10 m/s). Serum FGF23 was associated with AAC, abnormal PWV and progression of PWV at 12 m. CONCLUSIONS: Arterial stiffness and serum FGF23, both of which are associated with increased cardiovascular risk, increased over one year in individuals with CKD. Additionally, a significant association was found between serum FGF23 and arterial calcification and stiffness. Larger clinical studies and further experimental work are warranted to delineate the temporal relationship as well as the pathological mechanisms linking FGF23 and vascular disease.

Antimicrobial agents for preventing peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an important therapy for patients with end-stage kidney disease and is used in more than 200,000 such patients globally. However, its value is often limited by the development of infections such as peritonitis and exit-site and tunnel infections. Multiple strategies have been developed to reduce the risk of peritonitis including antibiotics, topical disinfectants to the exit site and antifungal agents. However, the effectiveness of these strategies has been variable and are based on a small number of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). The optimal preventive strategies to reduce the occurrence of peritonitis remain unclear.This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2004. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the benefits and harms of antimicrobial strategies used to prevent peritonitis in PD patients. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant's Specialised Register to 4 October 2016 through contact with the Information Specialist using search terms relevant to this review. Studies contained in the Specialised Register are identified through search strategies specifically designed for CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE; handsearching conference proceedings; and searching the International Clinical Trials Register (ICTRP) Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov. SELECTION CRITERIA: RCTs or quasi-RCTs in patients receiving chronic PD, which evaluated any antimicrobial agents used systemically or locally to prevent peritonitis or exit-site/tunnel infection were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently assessed risk of bias and extracted data. Summary estimates of effect were obtained using a random-effects model, and results were expressed as risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). MAIN RESULTS: Thirty-nine studies, randomising 4435 patients, were included. Twenty additional studies have been included in this update. The risk of bias domains were often unclear or high; risk of bias was judged to be low in 19 (49%) studies for random sequence generation, 12 (31%) studies for allocation concealment, 22 (56%) studies for incomplete outcome reporting, and in 12 (31%) studies for selective outcome reporting. Blinding of participants and personnel was considered to be at low risk of bias in 8 (21%) and 10 studies (26%) for blinding of outcome assessors. It should be noted that blinding of participants and personnel was not possible in many of the studies because of the nature of the intervention or control treatment.The use of oral or topical antibiotic compared with placebo/no treatment, had uncertain effects on the risk of exit-site/tunnel infection (3 studies, 191 patients, low quality evidence: RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.19 to 1.04) and the risk of peritonitis (5 studies, 395 patients, low quality evidence: RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.19).The use of nasal antibiotic compared with placebo/no treatment had uncertain effects on the risk of exit-site/tunnel infection (3 studies, 338 patients, low quality evidence: RR 1.34, 95% CI 0.62 to 2.87) and the risk of peritonitis (3 studies, 338 patients, low quality evidence: RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.31).Pre/perioperative intravenous vancomycin compared with no treatment may reduce the risk of early peritonitis (1 study, 177 patients, low quality evidence: RR 0.08, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.61) but has an uncertain effect on the risk of exit-site/tunnel infection (1 study, 177 patients, low quality evidence: RR 0.36, 95% CI 0.10 to 1.32).The use of topical disinfectant compared with standard care or other active treatment (antibiotic or other disinfectant) had uncertain effects on the risk of exit-site/tunnel infection (8 studies, 973 patients, low quality evidence, RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.33) and the risk of peritonitis (6 studies, 853 patients, low quality evidence: RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.06).Antifungal prophylaxis with oral nystatin/fluconazole compared with placebo/no treatment may reduce the risk of fungal peritonitis occurring after a patient has had an antibiotic course (2 studies, 817 patients, low quality evidence: RR 0.28, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.63).No intervention reduced the risk of catheter removal or replacement. Most of the available studies were small and of suboptimal quality. Only six studies enrolled 200 or more patients. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: In this update, we identified limited data from RCTs and quasi-RCTs which evaluated strategies to prevent peritonitis and exit-site/tunnel infections. This review demonstrates that pre/peri-operative intravenous vancomycin may reduce the risk of early peritonitis and that antifungal prophylaxis with oral nystatin or fluconazole reduces the risk of fungal peritonitis following an antibiotic course. However, no other antimicrobial interventions have proven efficacy. In particular, the use of nasal antibiotic to eradicate Staphylococcus aureus, had an uncertain effect on the risk of peritonitis and raises questions about the usefulness of this approach. Given the large number of patients on PD and the importance of peritonitis, the lack of adequately powered and high quality RCTs to inform decision making about strategies to prevent peritonitis is striking.

Tacrolimus Toxicity due to Biliary Obstruction in a Combined Kidney and Liver Transplant Recipient.

The immunosuppressant tacrolimus has a narrow therapeutic window, necessitating therapeutic drug monitoring to maintain efficacy and minimise toxicity. There are very few reports examining the impact of impaired biliary excretion on tacrolimus blood levels or toxicity. We report the case of a 26-year-old combined liver and kidney transplant recipient, who developed acute biliary obstruction leading to tacrolimus toxicity with very high blood tacrolimus levels. Despite a careful evaluation, no alternative cause was found for her acute kidney injury, and her kidney function returned to previous baseline within several days following treatment of the biliary obstruction and temporary withdrawal of tacrolimus.

Recurrent atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome post kidney transplant due to a CD46 mutation in the setting of SMARCAL1-mediated inherited kidney disease.

Disorders in the regulation of the alternate complement pathway often result in complement-mediated damage to the microvascular endothelium and can be associated with both glomerulonephritis and atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome. Inherited defects in complement regulatory genes or autoantibodies against complement regulatory proteins are predictive of the severity of the disease and the risk of recurrence post kidney transplantation. Heterozygous mutations in CD46, which codes for a transmembrane cofactor glycoprotein membrane cofactor protein, usually have a lower incidence of end-stage kidney disease and decreased risk of recurrent disease post transplant, as wild-type membrane cofactor protein is present in the transplanted kidney. However, some patients with CD46 mutations have a second variant in other complement regulatory genes increasing the severity of disease. The following case report illustrates the course of a young adult patient with end-stage kidney disease initially ascribed to seronegative systemic lupus erythematosus, who presented with biopsy-proven thrombotic microangiopathy following kidney transplantation. It highlights the complexity associated with disorders of complement regulation and the need for a high index of suspicion and genetic testing in patients who present with thrombotic microangiopathy post-transplant.

Association of Socio-Economic Position with Technique Failure and Mortality in Australian Non-Indigenous Peritoneal Dialysis Patients.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined the relationship between socio-economic position (SEP) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) outcomes, particularly at a country level. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between SEP, technique failure, and mortality in PD patients undertaking treatment in Australia. METHODS: The study included all Australian non-indigenous incident PD patients between January 1, 1997, and December 31, 2014, using Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant (ANZDATA) Registry data. The SEP was assessed by quartiles of postcode-based Australian Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), including Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage (IRSAD - primary index), Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage (IRSD), Index of Economic Resources (IER), and Index of Education and Occupation (IEO). Technique and patient survival were evaluated by multivariable Cox proportional hazards survival analyses. RESULTS: The study included 9,766 patients (mean age 60.6 ± 15 years, 57% male, 38% diabetic). Using multivariable Cox regression, no significant association was observed between quartiles of IRSAD and technique failure (30-day definition p = 0.65, 180-day definition p = 0.68). Similar results were obtained using competing risks regression. However, higher SEP, defined by quartiles of IRSAD, was associated with better patient survival (Quartile 1 reference; Quartile 2 adjusted hazards ratio [HR] 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.86 - 1.06; Quartile 3 HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.77 - 0.99; Quartile 4 HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.76 - 0.97). Similar results were found when IRSD was analyzed, but results were no longer statistically significant for IER and IEO. CONCLUSIONS: In Australia, where there is universal free healthcare, SEP was not associated with PD technique failure in non-indigenous PD patients. Higher SEP was generally associated with improved patient survival.

Infection Prophylaxis in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: Results from an Australia/New Zealand Survey.

♦ BACKGROUND: Clinical practice guidelines aim to reduce the rates of peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related infections, a common complication of PD in end-stage kidney disease patients. We describe the clinical practices used by Australian and New Zealand nephrologists to prevent PD-related infections in PD patients. ♦ METHODS: A survey of PD practices in relation to the use of antibiotic and antifungal prophylaxis in PD patients was conducted of practicing nephrologists identified via the Australia and New Zealand Society of Nephrology (ANZSN) membership in 2013. ♦ RESULTS: Of 333 nephrologists approached, 133 (39.9%) participated. Overall, 127 (95.5%) nephrologists prescribed antibiotics at the time of Tenckhoff catheter insertion, 85 (63.9%) routinely screened for nasal S. aureus carriage, with 76 (88.4%) reporting they treated S. aureus carriers with mupirocin ointment. Following Tenckhoff catheter insertion, 79 (59.4%) prescribed mupirocin ointment at the exit site or intranasally, and 93 (69.9%) nephrologists routinely prescribed a course of oral antifungal agent whenever their PD patients were given a course of antibiotics. ♦ CONCLUSIONS: Although the majority of nephrologists prescribe antibiotics at the time of Tenckhoff catheter insertion, less than 70% routinely prescribe mupirocin ointment and/or prophylactic antifungal therapy. This variation in practice in Australia and New Zealand may contribute to the disparity in PD-related infection rates that is seen between units.

Temporal Changes in Deceased Kidney Donor Characteristics in Australia.

BACKGROUND: Demand for deceased donor kidneys has exceeded supply in Australia over the past 2 decades. With a desire to use as many donor organs as possible, the health characteristics of accepted donors may have changed over time. METHODS: All deceased kidney donors actually transplanted in Australia between January 1, 1994, and December 31, 2013, were retrospectively analyzed, using data from the Australian and New Zealand Organ Donor Registry. RESULTS: Of 4172 deceased donors, 57% were men. Mean donor age increased from 37.2 ± 16.8 years to 46.1 ± 17.7 years over time, and donor numbers increased from 162 in 1994 to 334 in 2013. As the primary cause of death, motor vehicle accidents decreased from 27% to 12%, whereas cerebral pathology persisted at 50%. There was an increase in the proportion of donors with hypertension (12% to 24%), diabetes (2% to 7%), and an increase in mean body mass index (24.4 ± 4.4 kg/m2 to 27.5 ± 6.3 kg/m2) between 1994 and 2013. These changes were reflected by an increase in the median kidney donor risk index from 1.08 (interquartile range, 0.85-1.25) to 1.32 (interquartile range, 0.95-1.53). The proportion of medically higher risk donors increased over time. CONCLUSIONS: Because deceased kidney donor numbers have increased, the range of donor quality has broadened, with an increase in both the proportion and number of high-risk donors, as well as a decline in donor quality. These data highlight the need for kidney allocation algorithms to evolve to ensure appropriate allocation of deceased donor kidneys.

Patients' Perspectives on the Prevention and Treatment of Peritonitis in Peritoneal Dialysis: A Semi-Structured Interview Study.

♦ BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is recommended for adults with residual kidney function and without significant comorbidities. However, peritonitis is a serious and common complication that is associated with hospitalization, pain, catheter loss, and death. This study aims to describe the beliefs, needs, and experiences of PD patients about peritonitis, to inform the training, support, and care of these patients. ♦ METHODS: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 patients from 3 renal units in Australia who had previous or current experience of PD. The interviews were conducted between November 2014 and November 2015. Transcripts were analyzed thematically. ♦ RESULTS: We identified 4 themes: constant vigilance for prevention (conscious of vulnerability, sharing responsibility with family, demanding attention to detail, ambiguity of detecting infection, ineradicable inhabitation, jeopardizing PD success); invading harm (life-threatening, wreaking internal damage, debilitating pain, losing control and dignity); incapacitating lifestyle interference (financial strain, isolation and separation, exacerbating burden on family); and exasperation with hospitalization (dread of hospital admission, exposure to infection, gruelling follow-up schedule, exposure to harm). ♦ CONCLUSIONS: Patients perceived that peritonitis could threaten their health, treatment modality, and lifestyle, which motivated vigilance and attention to hygiene. They felt a loss of control due to debilitating symptoms including pain and having to be hospitalized, and they were uncertain about how to monitor for signs of peritonitis. Providing patients with education about the causes and signs of peritonitis and addressing their concerns about lifestyle impact, financial impact, hospitalization, and peritonitis-related anxieties may improve treatment satisfaction and outcomes for patients requiring PD.

Pro: Meta-analysis: the case for.

With ever-accumulating medical evidence for treatment benefits and harms, it is vital that clinicians are able to access and use up-to-date, best evidence in specific clinical scenarios involving individual patients-the primary goal of evidence-based medicine. In this article, we propose that meta-analysis, when properly conducted and reported in the context of a rigorous systematic review, is an indispensable tool for synthesis and interpretation of clinical evidence for the purpose of informing clinical decision-making by clinicians, patients and health care policy makers. Meta-analysis provides many benefits, including enhanced precision and statistical power, greater transparency, identification of bias, exploration of heterogeneity of effects, enhanced generalizability, efficient integration of clinical knowledge, identification of evidence gaps, better informed future trial design and avoidance of unnecessary research duplication and potential patient harm. The overall standard, clinical value and reach of meta-analysis has been further enhanced by the development of standards for registration, conduct and reporting, as well as advanced meta-analytic techniques, such as network meta-analysis. Of course, meta-analysis can at times be limited by poor quality studies, trial heterogeneity, publication bias and non-rigorous review and analysis, although through appraisal these issues are often able to be identified and explored, such that valuable clinical information can still be obtained. Consequently, meta-analysis is now the most highly cited form of research and is considered by many leading organizations to represent the highest level of clinical evidence. However, to maximize their considerable value, it is essential that all clinicians have the skills to critically appraise, carefully interpret and judiciously apply meta-analyses in their practice.

Peritoneal dialysis practice in Australia and New Zealand: A call to sustain the action.

This paper updates a previous 'Call to Action' paper (Nephrology 2011; 16: 19-29) that reviewed key outcome data for Australian and New Zealand peritoneal dialysis patients and made recommendations to improve care. Since its publication, peritonitis rates have improved significantly, although they have plateaued more recently. Peritoneal dialysis patient and technique survival in Australian and New Zealand have also improved, with a reduction in the proportion of technique failures attributed to 'social reasons'. Despite these improvements, technique survival rates overall remain lower than in many other parts of the world. This update includes additional practical recommendations based on published evidence and emerging initiatives to further improve outcomes.

Assessment of current practice and barriers to antimicrobial prophylaxis in peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Existing Australasian and international guidelines outline antibiotic and antifungal measures to prevent the development of treatment-related infection in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Practice patterns and rates of PD-related infection vary widely across renal units in Australia and New Zealand and are known to vary significantly from guideline recommendations, resulting in PD technique survival rates that are lower than those achieved in many other countries. The aim of this study was to determine if there is an association between current practice and PD-related infection outcomes and to identify the barriers and enablers to good clinical practice. METHODS: This is a multicentre network study involving eight PD units in Australia and New Zealand, with a focus on adherence to guideline recommendations on antimicrobial prophylaxis in PD patients. Current practice was established by asking the PD unit heads to respond to a short survey about practice/protocols/policies and a 'process map' was constructed following a face-to-face interview with the primary PD nurse at each unit. The perceived barriers/enablers to adherence to the relevant guideline recommendations were obtained from the completion of 'cause and effect' diagrams by the nephrologist and PD nurse at each unit. Data on PD-related infections were obtained for the period 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011. RESULTS: Perceived barriers that may result in reduced adherence to guideline recommendations included lack of knowledge, procedural lapses, lack of a centralized patient database, patients with non-English speaking background, professional concern about antibiotic resistance, medication cost and the inability of nephrologists and infectious diseases staff to reach consensus on unit protocols. The definitions of PD-related infections used by some units varied from those recommended by the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis, particularly with exit-site infection (ESI). Wide variations were observed in the rates of ESI (0.06-0.53 episodes per patient-year) and peritonitis (0.31-0.86 episodes per patient-year). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the existence of strongly evidence-based guideline recommendations, there was wide variation in adherence to these recommendations between PD units which might contribute to PD-related infection rates, which varied widely between units. Although individual patient characteristics may account for some of this variability, inconsistencies in the processes of care to prevent infection in PD patients also play a role.