Body fluid analysis by BIA demonstrated that TBW and V(ecf) were increased in peritoneal dialysis patients, and were comparable or even greater than values found before haemodialysis. However, plasma ANP levels indicated that intravascular filling was not increased in peritoneal dialysis. The ratio of V(ecf) to TBW was correlated to systolic pressure and negatively to serum albumin in peritoneal dialysis patients.

These results indicate that CLI with associated complications is not only an indicator of high mortality in patients with ESRD, but is also one of the main causes of death.

We report the case of an HIV-positive patient with visceral leishmaniasis and several relapses after treatment with the two first-line anti-leishmanial drugs, liposomal amphotericin B and miltefosine. End-stage renal failure occurred in 2007 when the patient was on long-term treatment with miltefosine. A relapse of leishmaniasis in 2008 was successfully treated with a novel combination regimen of intravenous pentamidine and oral fluconazole. Secondary prophylaxis with fluconazole monotherapy did not prevent parasitological relapse of leishmaniasis.

Diabetes is not an independent predictor of death in the ESRD study group presented here. Prevention of CAD and CLI in diabetic subjects is most important to improve survival.