The influence of continuous renal replacement therapy on 1,3-ß-d-glucan levels in critically ill patients: a single-center retrospective propensity score study.

1,3-ß-d-Glucan (BDG) is commonly used for diagnosing invasive fungal infections (IFIs). While exposure to cellulose-based hemodialyzers is known to cause false-positive BDG results, the impact of modern hemofilters used in continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) remains unclear. This retrospective, single-center cohort study aimed to evaluate the effect of CRRT on BDG levels in critically ill patients. We included adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients with ≥1 BDG measurement between December 2019 and December 2020. The primary outcome was the rate of false-positive BDG results in patients exposed to CRRT compared to unexposed patients. Propensity score analysis was performed to control for confounding factors. A total of 103 ICU patients with ≥1 BDG level were identified. Most (72.8%) were medical ICU patients. Forty patients underwent CRRT using hemofilter membranes composed of sodium methallyl sulfonate copolymer (AN 69 HF) (82.5%) and of polyarylethersulfone (PAES) (17.5%). Among the 91 patients without proven IFI, 31 (34.1%) had false-positive BDG results. Univariable analysis showed an association between CRRT exposure and false-positive BDG results. However, the association between CRRT exposure and false-positive BDG results was no longer significant across three propensity score models employed: 1:1 match (n = 32) (odds ratio (OR) 1.65, p = .48), model-adjusted (n = 91) (OR 1.75, p = .38), quintile-adjusted (n = 91) (OR 1.78, p = .36). In this single-center retrospective analysis, exposure to synthetic CRRT membranes did not independently increase the risk of false-positive BDG results. Larger prospective studies are needed to further evaluate the association between CRRT exposure and false-positive BDG results in critically ill patients with suspected IFI.

Sirolimus-Induced Rash in a Kidney Transplant Patient.

Sirolimus is an inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin, which is used in kidney transplant immunosuppression. The clinical spectrum of cutaneous adverse events associated with sirolimus use varies, with maculopapular rash being an uncommon side effect very rarely reported in the literature. We present the case of a 78-year-old male renal transplant recipient who developed a diffuse maculopapular pruritic rash after starting sirolimus. This case report demonstrates that maculopapular rash is an uncommon sirolimus-related side effect that must be identified promptly so the medication can be discontinued and rash progression prevented. LEARNING POINTS: Acneiform dermatitis, folliculitis, onychopathy, oral ulcers, rash and stomatitis are all common dermatological side effects of sirolimus.The occurrence of a diffuse pruritic maculopapular rash associated with sirolimus use is rare, but an important differential to keep in mind.Sirolimus cessation is required in case of diffuse pruritic maculopapular rash.