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The views expressed in this commentary are solely the responsibility of the authors and they do not necessarily reflect the views, decisions, or policies of the institutions with which they are affiliated.

Summary statements (1) Peritoneal dialysis (PD) should be considered a suitable modality for treatment of acute kidney injury (AKI) in all settings (1B). Guideline 2: Access and fluid delivery for acute PD in adults (2.1) Flexible peritoneal catheters should be used where resources and expertise exist (1B) (optimal). (2.2) Rigid catheters and improvised catheters using nasogastric tubes and other cavity drainage catheters may be used in resource-poor environments where they may still be life-saving (1C) (minimum standard). (2.3) We recommend catheters should be tunnelled to reduce peritonitis and peri-catheter leak (practice point). (2.4) We recommend that the method of catheter implantation should be based on patient factors and locally available skills (1C). (2.5) PD catheter implantation by appropriately trained nephrologists in patients without contraindications is safe and functional results equate to those inserted surgically (1B). (2.6) Nephrologists should receive training and be permitted to insert PD catheters to ensure timely dialysis in the emergency setting (practice point). (2.7) We recommend, when available, percutaneous catheter insertion by a nephrologist should include assessment with ultrasonography (2C). (2.8) Insertion of PD catheter should take place under complete aseptic conditions using sterile technique (practice point). (2.9) We recommend the use of prophylactic antibiotics prior to PD catheter implantation (1B). (2.10) A closed delivery system with a Y connection should be used (1A) (optimal). In resource poor areas, spiking of bags and makeshift connections may be necessary and can be considered (minimum standard). (2.11) The use of automated or manual PD exchanges are acceptable and this will be dependent on local availability and practices (practice point). Guideline 3: Peritoneal dialysis solutions for acute PD (3.1) In patients who are critically ill, especially those with significant liver dysfunction and marked elevation of lactate levels, bicarbonate containing solutions should be used (1B) (optimal). Where these solutions are not available, the use of lactate containing solutions is an alternative (practice point) (minimum standard). (3.2) Commercially prepared solutions should be used (optimal). However, where resources do not permit this, then locally prepared fluids may be life-saving and with careful observation of sterile preparation procedure, peritonitis rates are not increased (1C) (minimum standard). (3.3) Once potassium levels in the serum fall below 4 mmol/L, potassium should be added to dialysate (using strict sterile technique to prevent infection) or alternatively oral or intravenous potassium should be given to maintain potassium levels at 4 mmol/L or above (1C). (3.4) Potassium levels should be measured daily (optimal). Where these facilities do not exist, we recommend that after 24 h of successful dialysis, one consider adding potassium chloride to achieve a concentration of 4 mmol/L in the dialysate (minimum standard) (practice point). Guideline 4: Prescribing and achieving adequate clearance in acute PD (4.1) Targeting a weekly K t/ V urea of 3.5 provides outcomes comparable to that of daily HD in critically ill patients; targeting higher doses does not improve outcomes (1B). This dose may not be necessary for most patients with AKI and targeting a weekly K t/ V of 2.2 has been shown to be equivalent to higher doses (1B). Tidal automated PD (APD) using 25 L with 70% tidal volume per 24 h shows equivalent survival to continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration with an effluent dose of 23 mL/kg/h (1C). (4.2) Cycle times should be dictated by the clinical circumstances. Short cycle times (1–2 h) are likely to more rapidly correct uraemia, hyperkalaemia, fluid overload and/or metabolic acidosis; however, they may be increased to 4–6 hourly once the above are controlled to reduce costs and facilitate clearance of larger sized solutes (2C). (4.3) The concentration of dextrose should be increased and cycle time reduced to 2 hourly when fluid overload is evident. Once the patient is euvolemic, the dextrose concentration and cycle time should be adjusted to ensure a neutral fluid balance (1C). (4.4) Where resources permit, creatinine, urea, potassium and bicarbonate levels should be measured daily; 24 h K t/ V urea and creatinine clearance measurement is recommended to assess adequacy when clinically indicated (practice point). (4.5) Interruption of dialysis should be considered once the patient is passing >1 L of urine/24 h and there is a spontaneous reduction in creatinine (practice point). The use of peritoneal dialysis (PD) to treat patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) has become more popular among clinicians following evidence of similar outcomes when compared with other extracorporeal therapies. Although it has been extensively used in low-resource environments for many years, there is now a renewed interest in the use of PD to manage patients with AKI (including patients in intensive care units) in higher income countries. Here we present the update of the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis guidelines for PD in AKI. These guidelines extensively review the available literature and present updated recommendations regarding peritoneal access, dialysis solutions and prescription of dialysis with revised targets of solute clearance.

T he prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its risk factors is increasing worldwide, and there is a rapid rise in global need for the treatment of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). The global nephrology community recognizes the need for a plan to address the growing incidence of CKD and a cohesive approach for CKD/ESKD integrated care. 1 This provides a major challenge for health systems, particularly

COVID-19 has now spread to all the continents of the world with the possible exception of Antarctica. However, Africa appears different when compared with all the other continents. The absence of exponential growth and the low mortality rates contrary to that experienced in other continents, and contrary to the projections for Africa by various agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO) has been a puzzle to many. Although Africa is the second most populous continent with an estimated 17.2% of the world's population, the continent accounts for only 5% of the total cases and 3% of the mortality. Mortality for the whole of Africa remains at a reported 19,726 as at August 01, 2020. The onset of the pandemic was later, the rate of rise has been slower and the severity of illness and case fatality rates have been lower in comparison to other continents. In addition, contrary to what had been documented in other continents, the occurrence of the renal complications in these patients also appeared to be much lower. This report documents the striking differences between the continents and within the continent of Africa itself and then attempts to explain the reasons for these differences. It is hoped that information presented in this review will help policymakers in the fight to contain the pandemic, particularly within Africa with its resource-constrained health care systems.

Access to both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis remains highly inequitable in lower-resource settings. Although challenges associated with dialysis in low-resource settings are similar, and there are more adults who require dialysis in low-resource settings, addressing hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis needs of children in low-resource settings requires attention as the global inequities are greatest in this area. Lower-income countries are increasingly seeking to improve access to dialysis through various strategies, but meeting the costs of the entire dialysis population continues to be a major challenge.

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