Abstract for presentation at Australia and New Zealand Society of Nephrology Annual Scientific Conference

Patterns of Infection in Nocturnal Haemodialysis Patients: an Observational Study

  • Carolyn Clark, Barwon Health, Australia
  • Dr Christine Somerville, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
  • Dr Vince D'Intini, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
  • Ms Rosemary Simmonds, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
  • Ms Janeane Boddington, Barwon Health, Australia
  • Ms Claire Waldron, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia
  • A/Prof John Agar, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia

    • Dialysis patients are known to have a high rate of infections. We report the infection patterns of sixteen nocturnal home haemodialysis (NHD) patients. 14 patients are male, 3 have type two diabetes and 2 have type one diabetes. The mean age is 57 years (range 26-74). 7 patients have been receiving NHD for 1 year, 1 for 2 years, 1 for three years and 7 for four years.
    We observed 34 infections, 14 of which were vascular access related infections. Of these, there were nine infected fistulas and one infected catheter. One patient had staphylococcal sepsis for which the source was not identified but was presumed to be fistula related. One patient had two episodes of endocarditis presumably due to an infected fistula. However, between the two episodes he was noted to have a dental abscess. One patient developed cellulitis requiring thumb amputation after a needlestick injury with a dialysis needle. Only 4 vascular access infections occurred in non-diabetic patients (2 each in years 1 and 2). 6 of the 14 vascular access related infections occurred in the first year of NHD, and the rate decreased thereafter (4 infections in the second year, 2 each in years three and four).
    We conclude that vascular access related infections are more likely in the first year of NHD. Diabetes is a major risk factor for the development of vascular access related infections.

    Conference Organiser - ICMS Pty Ltd