Related Experiment Videos
Ultrafiltration and endotoxin removal from dialysis fluids
A Di Felice1, G Cappelli, F Facchini
1Department of Nephrology, University of Modena, Bellco Laboratories, Bellco Spa, Italy.
Kidney International. Supplement
|June 1, 1993
Summary
A polyamide ultrafilter effectively removes pyrogens from hemodialysis fluid for 240 hours. This ensures a pyrogen-free dialysate, enhancing biocompatibility and patient safety during dialysis treatments.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nephrology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Hemodialysis biocompatibility is complex, with dialysate posing a significant risk due to pyrogenic bacterial fractions.
- These pyrogens can cross dialysis membranes via back-filtration or back-diffusion, activating blood cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the long-term efficacy of a 2 m2 polyamide ultrafilter in generating pyrogen-free dialysate.
- To evaluate the ultrafilter's performance in removing endotoxins and other pyrogenic bacterial components.
Main Methods:
- An experimental circuit continuously ultrafiltered contaminated bicarbonate dialysate (5-48 EU/ml) for 240 hours at 500 ml/min.
- The presence of pyrogens was monitored using the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) test and Interleukin-1 (IL-1) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) assays.
Main Results:
- Post-ultrafilter LAL test results were consistently low (<0.005 to 0.034 EU/ml).
- IL-1 PBMC levels remained below the detection limit (<20 pg/ml) after ultrafiltration, compared to pre-filter levels (27-63 pg/ml).
Conclusions:
- Polyamide ultrafiltration is an efficient method for producing endotoxin-free dialysate.
- A single polyamide ultrafilter demonstrates sustained effectiveness for up to 240 hours in pyrogen removal.