Latin America is a heterogeneous region comprised of 20 countries, former colonies of European countries, in which Latin-derived languages are spoken. According to the Latin American Society of Nephrology and Hypertension/ Sociedad Latino Americana de Nefrologia e Hipertensión (SLANH), the acceptance rate for renal replacement therapy is 103 new patients per million population. In Latin America, hemodialysis is the predominant form of replacement therapy for end-stage renal disease; however, some countries employ peritoneal dialysis (PD) in 30% or more patients. In particular, Mexico is the country with the largest PD utilization in the world, and furthermore, it is estimated that approximately 25% of the world's PD population may be found Latin America. Data concerning clinical practice and long-term outcome of PD in Latin America are scarce, although regional registries are increasing in number and quality. In this review article, we present an overview of the situation of PD in several countries of Latin America, based on the registry of the SLAHN, national registries, and personal communication with PD experts from different countries.

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The Covid-19 pandemic has been responsible for millions of deaths worldwide. Patients with comorbidities– such as those on peritoneal dialysis (PD)– present higher morbidity and mortality than the general population. We prospectively evaluated all Chilean patients on PD (48 centres) and followed those who had Covid-19 from the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in Chile (March 2020) to January 2021 (start of vaccination campaign). We described demographic history, comorbidities, factors related to infection, need for hospitalisation and death due to Covid-19. During the study period, 106 adults on PD were infected by SARS-CoV-2, with a mean age of 53.1 (±16.3) and of which 53.9% were female. From that group, 54.8% required hospitalisation and 24.5% ( n = 26) died due to Covid-19. Most of the patients (63.4%) were infected at home and 22.8% during hospitalisation for other reasons. There was a significant association for Covid-19 mortality with: being ≥60 years old, diabetes, time on PD ≥5 years, need for hospitalisation and hospital-acquired infection. At 90 days of follow-up, all deaths associated to Covid-19 occurred before 40 days. We conclude that patients on PD without Covid-19 vaccination have a high mortality and need for hospitalisation associated to Covid-19. To avoid this negative outcome, it is necessary to intensify strategies to avoid contagion, especially in those ≥60 years old, with diabetes and/or ≥5 years spent on PD.

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SummaryWe report two AIDS patients who developed acute renal failure while receiving sulphadiazine for cerebral toxoplasmosis. Renal ultrasound revealed diffuse bilateral echogenic shadowing material. 'Sheaves ofwheat' crystals, typical of sulphadiazine crystalluria, were present in the urine. One patient required a percutaneous nephrostomy. Hydration and urine alkalinisation resulted in rapid improvement of renal function and ultrasonographic findings. Sulphadiazine-induced crystailuria and acute renal failure is increasingly frequent. Awareness of its existence may lead to prevention and early conservative treatment.