Can daclizumab reduce acute rejection and improve long-term renal function in tacrolimus-based primary renal transplant recipients?

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive regimen with and without induction therapy using daclizumab in first cadaveric renal transplant recipients.

Methods: Since January 2001, we studied the effect of daclizumab in a non-randomized and prospective study of 36 sequential first cadaveric renal transplant recipients. They were compared with a historical control group of 21 sequential first cadaveric renal transplant recipients without induction therapy.

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease in Chinese HIV-infected patients.

Background: To evaluate the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Chinese HIV-infected population.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional point prevalence study. All Chinese HIV-infected patients who were followed up in a tertiary referral center in Hong Kong were recruited.

A veno-caliceal fistula related to ureteric stricture in a kidney allograft masquerading as renal failure.

We report an unusual case of veno-caliceal fistula that developed because of high ureteric pressure caused by graft ureteric stricture after kidney transplantation in a 60-year-old patient. We further confirmed its presence with radiological images. Recirculation of creatinine and other uremic toxins resulted in a biochemical picture of renal failure in the presence of normal kidney function, confirmed by normal scintigraphy findings.

Paired kidney analysis of tacrolimus and cyclosporine microemulsion-based therapy in Chinese cadaveric renal transplant recipients.

Few studies used paired kidneys for comparison between tacrolimus and cyclosporine in renal transplantation. Most of the published data used whole blood trough levels for drug monitoring. However, the use of limited sampling strategy and abbreviated formula to estimate the 12-h area under concentration-time curve (AUC(0-12)) allowed better prediction of drug exposure.

Prevalence of silent kidney disease in Hong Kong: the screening for Hong Kong Asymptomatic Renal Population and Evaluation (SHARE) program.

Background: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is epidemic worldwide. In Hong Kong, the annual incidence of ESRD has risen from 100 pmp (per million population) in 1996 to 140 pmp in 2003. SHARE (Screening for Hong Kong Asymptomatic Renal Population and Evaluation program) is a population-based screening program aimed at identifying the prevalence of unrecognized renal disease in asymptomatic individuals, allowing further evaluation and disease-modifying interventions.

A report with consensus statements of the International Society of Nephrology 2004 Consensus Workshop on Prevention of Progression of Renal Disease, Hong Kong, June 29, 2004.

This report summarizes the discussions of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) 2004 Consensus Workshop on Prevention of Progression of Renal Disease, which was held in Hong Kong on June 29, 2004. Three key areas were discussed during the workshop: (1) screening for chronic kidney disease; (2) evaluation and estimating progression of chronic kidney disease; and (3) measures to prevent the progression of chronic kidney disease. Fifteen consensus statements were made in these three areas, as endorsed by the participants of the workshop.

Efficacy and side effects of intradermal hepatitis B vaccination in CAPD patients: a comparison with the intramuscular vaccination.

Background: This prospective randomized study aims to assess the effectiveness of intradermal (ID) hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) therapy.

Methods: Sixty patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. The ID group was treated with 5 microg of recombinant HBV vaccine intradermally every week for a total of 10 doses, and the intramuscular (IM) group, with 20 microg intramuscularly at 0, 1, and 6 months.