Elevation of Blood (1→3)-Beta- D-Glucan Concentrations in Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Determination of the blood (1→3)-β- D-glucan (β-DG) concentration is a sensitive marker to detect the presence of deep mycosis and fungal infections. Although cellulose material is known to contain β-DG, the influence of a cellulose dialyzer membrane on the blood β-DG level remains to be elucidated. In this study, we determined the plasma β-DG levels in dialysis outpatients using either a modified regenerated cellulose (MRC) or a synthetic polysulfone (PS) membrane for more than 3 months. Plasma β-DG levels were extremely high in patients using the MRC (2,778 ± 549 pg/ml, n = 9) but not the PS membrane (18.8 ± 3.7 pg/ml, n = 8) compared to normal ranges (<20 pg/ml). A single dialysis session using the MRC membrane further increased blood β-DG values to 5,561 ± 722 pg/ml (p < 0.01). After changing the membranes from MRC to PS, the blood β-DG levels gradually decreased and reached 29.6 ± 6.0 pg/ml at 6 months. In contrast, the PS membrane did not affect plasma β-DG levels after a single dialysis session (16.0 ± 3.9 pg/ml) or 4 months later (24.0 ± 4.9 pg/ml). These findings suggested that a cellulose membrane could influence the measurement of blood β-DG concentrations in the long-term. Careful assessment is required to diagnose the presence of fungal infection in HD patients using a cellulose membane.

Journal

Journal ID (publisher-id): NEF

Journal ID (nlm-ta): Nephron

Journal ID (doi): 10.1159/issn.1660-8151

Title: Nephron

Publisher: S. Karger AG

ISSN (Print): 1660-8151

ISSN (Electronic): 2235-3186

Publication date Subscription-year: 2001

Publication date (Print): 2001

Publication date (Electronic): 24 August 2001

Volume: 89

Issue: 1

Pages: 15-19

Affiliations

^aFirst Department of Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine and ^bMaruyama Hospital, Hamamatsu, Japan

Article

Publisher ID: 46037 Other ID: Nephron 2001;89:15–19

DOI: 10.1159/000046037

PubMed ID: 11528226

Copyright statement: © 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel

License:

Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug. Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.

Page count

Figures: 1, Tables: 1, References: 21, Pages: 5

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Categories

Subject: Original Paper