Impact of a low-glucose peritoneal dialysis regimen on fibrosis and inflammation biomarkers.

Background: The impact of a low-glucose peritoneal dialysis (PD) regimen on biomarkers of peritoneal inflammation, fibrosis and membrane integrity remains to be investigated.

Methods: In a randomized, prospective study, 80 incident PD patients received either a low-glucose regimen comprising Physioneal (P), Extraneal (E) and Nutrineal (N) (Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Deerfield, IL, USA) (PEN group), or Dianeal (control group) for 12 months, after which both groups continued with Dianeal dialysis for 6 months. Serum and dialysate levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), decorin, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), hyaluronan (HA), adiponectin, soluble-intracellular adhesion molecule (s-ICAM), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and P-selectin, and dialysate cancer antigen 125 (CA125), were measured after 12 and 18 months.

Cross sectional survey on the concerns and anxiety of patients waiting for organ transplants.

Aim:   We aimed to gain an understanding of patient concerns while on a transplantation waiting list in areas with long transplant waiting time.

Methods:   The study population comprised patients with organ failure on the transplant waiting list in Hong Kong. They were invited to complete a questionnaire survey.

A prospective study of the efficacy of local application of gentamicin versus mupirocin in the prevention of peritoneal dialysis catheter-related infections.

Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related infections are the major cause of technique failure. Exit-site infections (ESI) can be prevented by local application of antibiotics. Mupirocin (M) is the most extensively studied drug for this application.

Renal allograft C4d deposition in Chinese: Hong Kong perspective.

Background: Acute rejection constitutes a significant proportion of renal allograft loss. Peritubular capillary deposition of C4d has been recognized as the footprint of humoral alloimmunity and proven to be a sensitive and specific marker for humoral rejection in the appropriate clinical context. Its presence in indication biopsies is the most important independent risk factor for graft failure.

Prophylaxis against gram-positive organisms causing exit-site infection and peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients by applying mupirocin ointment at the catheter exit site.

Objective: We evaluated the effectiveness of local application of mupirocin ointment at the catheter exit site in preventing exit-site infection and peritonitis attributable to gram-positive organisms in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients.

Methods: This prospective randomized controlled trial included 154 patients. They were randomly allocated to a mupirocin-treated group (group M) and a control group (group C).

Acute renal impairment in coronavirus-associated severe acute respiratory syndrome.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a newly emerged infection from a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Apart from fever and respiratory complications, acute renal impairment has been observed in some patients with SARS. Herein, we describe the clinical, pathologic, and laboratory features of the acute renal impairment complicating this new viral infection.