Acute renal impairment in coronavirus-associated severe acute respiratory syndrome

Acute renal impairment in coronavirus-associated severe acute respiratory syndrome.BackgroundSevere 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.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of the plasma creatinine concentration and other clinical parameters of the 536 SARS patients with normal plasma creatinine at first clinical presentation, admitted to two regional hospitals following a major outbreak in Hong Kong in March 2003. Kidney tissues from seven other patients with postmortem examinations were studied by light microscopy and electron microscopy.ResultsAmong these 536 patients with SARS, 36 (6.7%) developed acute renal impairment occurring at a median duration of 20 days (range 5–48 days) after the onset of viral infection despite a normal plasma creatinine level at first clinical presentation. The acute renal impairment reflected the different prerenal and renal factors that exerted renal insult occurring in the context of multiorgan failure. Eventually, 33 SARS patients (91.7%) with acute renal impairment died. The mortality rate was significantly higher among patients with SARS and acute renal impairment compared with those with SARS and no renal impairment (91.7% vs. 8.8%) (P < 0.0001). Renal tissues revealed predominantly acute tubular necrosis with no evidence of glomerular pathology. The adjusted relative risk of mortality associated with the development of acute renal impairment was 4.057 (P < 0.001). By multivariate analysis, acute respiratory distress syndrome and age were the most significant independent risk factors predicting the development of acute renal impairment in SARS.ConclusionAcute renal impairment is uncommon in SARS but carries a high mortality. The acute renal impairment is likely to be related to multi-organ failure rather than the kidney tropism of the virus. The development of acute renal impairment is an important negative prognostic indicator for survival with SARS

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals &lt;1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

On-line hemodiafiltration and high-flux hemodialysis: comparison of efficiency and cost analysis

AbstractWith on-line hemodiafiltration (HDF), low molecular weight substances are predominantly cleared by diffusion while middle molecules such as ß2-microglobulin (ß2M), an amyloidogenic factor, are removed mainly by convection. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and safety of on-line HDF with dialyzer reuse, and to compare HDF and high-flux hemodialysis (HD) with respect to ß2M removal, urea kinetics (Kt/V) and symptom relief in those patients having dialysis-related amyloidosis. Ten chronic HD patients were put on post-dilution HDF for a period of 14.2 ±7.1 months. The AK 100 ULTRA system was used for on-line preparation of substitution fluid. These patients were then switched over to high-flux HD for a period of 4.6 ±3 months. Dialyzers were reused up to 30 times to reduce the cost of HDF. All the patients were hemodynamically stable during both HDF and high-flux HD treatments. No febrile reactions were reported. The percentage reduction of ß2M during HDF was significantly higher when compared with high-flux HD (75 ±4% vs 51 ±7%, p < 0.001). After 14.2 ±7.1 months of HDF, the patients had significant reduction of both the pre-dialysis ß2M level (47.4 ±7.9 μg/mL vs 28.2 ±4.9 μg/mL, p < 0.01) and post-dialysis ß2M level (11.4 ±2.8 μg/mL vs 6.8 ±1.0 μg/mL, p < 0.01). eKt/V achieved by HDF was significantly higher than that achieved by high-flux HD (1.94 ±0.26 vs 1.75 ±0.23, p < 0.01). Those patients with dialysis arthropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome had decreased joint pain and hand numbness respectively after putting on HDF but symptoms recurred while on high-flux HD. There were no statistical significant differences in the percentage reduction of ß2M, ß2M clearance, urea clearance and eKt/V with dialyzer reuse, and no adverse patient reactions had been recorded.ConclusionOn-line HDF has been proven to be a safe and reliable treatment. The clearance of ß2M and urea are significantly increased by HDF when compared with high-flux HD, and the increase in clearance of ß2M is sustained throughout the HDF treatment period. Symptoms of dialysis-related amyloidosis are improved by HDF. Dialyzer reuse, which reduces the cost of HDF by 30%, is feasible and safe

Bleeding post-transplantation intrarenal pseudoaneurysms

We herein present a case of an intrarenal pseudoaneurysm developing 2 weeks after renal transplantation. The patient presented with hemorrhagic shock. Computed tomography confirmed an intrarenal pseudoaneurysm with extravasation of contrast and a large surrounding hematoma. Angiography confirmed the pseudoaneurysm, and embolization of the segmental graft renal artery was performed. In view of the uncertain etiology and the possibility of a mycotic pseudoaneurysm, we administered empiric antimicrobial therapy. The clinical course, investigations, and management are described. Finally, a review of the literature regarding post-transplantation pseudoaneurysms is presented. 以下是一宗於移植後 2 週出現的腎內僞動脈瘤個案，患者以出血性休克表現。當時為其安排緊急電腦斷層攝影 (CT)，發現有一個腎內僞動脈瘤，並呈現顯影劑溢出現象，且被一大型血腫圍繞。緊急血管攝影證實為植入腎之僞動脈瘤，同時我們對涉及的節段性動脈予以栓塞處置。基於病因並不明確，而且不能排除黴菌性僞動脈瘤的可能性，因此我們實施了經驗性抗微生物學療法。在本文中，我們描述了本個案的臨床歷程、相關檢查及後續處置，並指出我們在治療上所遭遇到的困難。最後，我們對移植後僞動脈瘤的相關文獻作出了回顧

Listeria monocytogenes Peritonitis in a Patient Receiving Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Listeria monocytogenes is a rare cause of peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis. Only a handful of cases have been reported, and the optimal management is still uncertain. We present a case of Listeria monocytogenes peritonitis and perform a review of the literature to elucidate optimal antibiotic therapy

教育制度如何培養青少年積極的人生觀及價值觀

專題討論： 教育制度如何培養青少年積極的人生觀及價值觀 主持：莫漢輝先生 (香港青年協會督導主任(研究及領袖發展)) 評論員： (1) 何濼生教授 (嶺南大學公共政策研究中心主任) (2) 麥陳尹玲女士 (伊利沙伯中學舊生會中學校長) (3) 阮志雄先生 (作家，教育工作者) (4) 鄧薇先博士 (沙田圍呂明才小學校長) (5) 馮丹媚女士 (香港青年協會業務總監(教育服務)) (6) 岑啟耀 (中學生代表) (7) 李錦 (小學生代表

Conversion from Recombinant Human Erythropoietin to Once Every 4 Weeks Darbepoetin Alfa for Treatment of Renal Anemia in CAPD Patients

BackgroundDarbepoetin alfa is a new erythropoietic protein with a three-fold longer half-life than recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO), allowing for an extended dosing interval of once every 2 weeks in patients with chronic renal failure. The objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of further extending the dose interval of this erythropoietic agent to once every 4 weeks in the treatment of renal anemia in dialysis patients.MethodsA prospective study was carried out in 14 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients stably maintained on subcutaneous rHuEPO with hemoglobin level of 10–13 g/dL. They were switched to subcutaneous darbepoetin alfa administered once every 4 weeks for a period of 24 weeks. The starting dose was 40 [.proportional]g. The dose of darbepoetin alfa was then adjusted to maintain a target hemoglobin level between 10 and 13 g/dL. When darbepoetin alfa was increased by 100%, the dosing interval was shortened to maintain the target hemoglobin. Evaluation was done during the last 4 weeks.ResultsOf the 14 patients recruited, 11 patients completed the study. Of these 11 patients, 9 (82%) successfully maintained the target hemoglobin with once every 4 weeks darbepoetin alfa. For those successful patients, the mean hemoglobin level during the evaluation period was 11.13 ± 2.04 g/dL (mean ± standard deviation), and the mean change in hemoglobin level from baseline was −1.03 g/dL (95% CI: −2.34, 0.27). The mean weekly darbepoetin alfa dose requirement during the evaluation period was 12.33 ± 4.80 [.proportional]g/week, and the mean change in weekly dose from baseline was +2.33 [.proportional]g/week (95% CI: −1.35, 6.02). No serious adverse event related to darbepoetin alfa occurred during the study.ConclusionDarbepoetin alfa administered once every 4 weeks effectively maintained hemoglobin level in most CAPD patients after conversion from previously stabilized rHuEPO treatment. Darbepoetin alfa is safe and well tolerated, allowing for less frequent dosing. [Hong Kong J Nephrol 2007;9(2):77–81

Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia Among Renal Transplant Recipients Despite Antibiotic Prophylaxis

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is a well-known opportunistic infection in renal transplant recipients; it is associated with high mortality, mostly within the first 6 months post-transplantation. The disease has been effectively prevented by routine antibiotic prophylaxis. Recently, however, we encountered three consecutive cases of PCP; one developed the disease at 8 months and another at 11 months post-transplantation. An overall assessment of a patient's degree of immunosuppression is essential when considering the duration of PCP prophylaxis. Instead of the routine regimen of 6 months, 1-year PCP prophylaxis may be required for those who are on both tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil

Investigating the Interrelationships Among Mental Health, Substance Use Disorders, and Suicidal Ideation Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults in the United States: Population-Based Statewide Survey Study

BackgroundMental health disparities have been documented among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults in the United States. Substance use disorders and suicidal ideation have been identified as important health concerns for this population. However, the interrelationships among these factors are not well understood. ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the interrelationships among mental health, substance use disorders, and suicidal ideation among LGB adults in the United States using a population-based statewide survey. MethodsOur study was an observational cross-sectional analysis, and the data for this study were collected from a sample of LGB adults who participated in the statewide survey. The survey collected information on mental health, substance use disorders, and suicidal ideation using validated measures. Descriptive statistics and inferential data analysis were conducted to explore the interrelationships among these factors. ResultsThe results showed that LGB adults who reported higher levels of depression and drug abuse and dependence also reported higher levels of suicidal tendency and mental illness. Inferential data analysis using χ2 tests revealed significant differences in depression score (χ22=458.241; P<.001), drug abuse and dependence score (χ22=226.946; P<.001), suicidal tendency score (χ22=67.795; P<.001), and mental illness score (χ22=363.722; P<.001) among the 3 sexual identity groups. Inferential data analysis showed significant associations between sexual identity and mental health outcomes, with bisexual individuals reporting the highest levels of depression, drug abuse and dependence, suicidal tendency, and mental illness. ConclusionsThis study provides important insights into the interrelationships among mental health, substance use disorders, and suicidal ideation among LGB adults in the United States. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions and research aimed at addressing the mental health needs of sexual minority populations. Future research should aim to better understand the underlying mechanisms driving these disparities and develop culturally sensitive and tailored interventions that meet the unique needs of LGB individuals. Reducing stigma and discrimination against sexual minority populations is also crucial to improving their mental health outcomes