Achievement of recommended treatment targets for bone and mineral metabolism in haemodialysis patients using paricalcitol: An observational study

Objective. Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a common problem among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on haemodialysis. This study was conducted to assess the use, effectiveness and safety of intravenous paricalcitol in haemodialysis patients with various degrees of SHPT. Material and methods. This observational, multicentre, prospective study was conducted in 14 Swedish dialysis centres from May 2007 to June 2008 and included 92 haemodialysis patients with a diagnosis of SHPT associated with CKD. The decision to initiate treatment with intravenous paricalcitol was made by the treating physician. No treatment algorithms were provided. Results. Mean patient age was 64 years. Of the 92 patients included, 74 had an intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level of > 300 pg/ml at baseline. Median iPTH was 584 pg/ml in patients with a baseline PTH of > 300 pg/ml. During follow-up there was a decrease in iPTH to 323 pg/ml at 6 months (--45%, p < 0.0001). In parallel, there was a small increase in serum calcium, but serum phosphorus and the calcium xx phosphorus product remained unchanged. Conclusions. This study showed that intravenous paricalcitol substantially and safely decreased iPTH in haemodialysis patients with a baseline iPTH above the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative recommended target range (150--300 pg/ml) and had minimal impact on serum minerals

Detection of Campylobacter in human and animal field samples in Cambodia

Campylobacter are zoonotic bacteria and a leading cause of human gastroenteritis worldwide with Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli being the most commonly detected species. The aim of this study was to detect Campylobacter in humans and livestock (chickens, ducks, pigs, cattle, water buffalo, quail, pigeons and geese) in rural households by routine culturing and multiplex PCR in faecal samples frozen before analysis. Of 681 human samples, 82 (12%) tested positive by PCR (C. jejuni in 66 samples and C. coli in 16), but none by routine culture. Children were more commonly Campylobacter positive (19%) than adult males (8%) and females (7%). Of 853 livestock samples, 106 (12%) tested positive by routine culture and 352 (41%) by PCR. Campylobacter jejuni was more frequent in chickens and ducks and C. coli in pigs. In conclusion, Campylobacter proved to be highly prevalent by PCR in children (19%), ducks (24%), chickens (56%) and pigs (72%). Routine culturing was insufficiently sensitive in detecting Campylobacter in field samples frozen before analysis. These findings suggest that PCR should be the preferred diagnostic method for detection of Campylobacter in humans and livestock where timely culture is not feasible