Abstractconcentrations such as occurred in Barcelona in relation to soya bean dust have been associated Background -There is evidence to suggest that changes in weather and airborne with large numbers of acute exacerbations. 10 Inhaled pollens are an established cause of fungal spore and pollen counts may affect asthma symptoms.respiratory symptoms in humans. In New Zealand introduced species such as grasses, birch, Methods -The relationship between climate, airborne fungal spore, and pollen macrocarpa, oak, alder, pine, wattle and plantain are among the commonly described counts and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and asthma symptoms was pro-aeroallergens.11 12 Some studies have linked increased pollen levels to asthma admissions and spectively investigated in a population of mild to moderate asthmatic subjects in others have associated pollen exposure with increased bronchial responsiveness. jects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disBiotechnology, Massey University, (Thorax 1997;52:528-534) ease as their primary diagnosis were excluded Palmerston North, during screening. Following recruitment, the New Zealand

Haemodiafiltration was associated with superior survival across patient subgroups of age, sex and comorbidity.

Background: Blood-borne viral infections can complicate organ transplantation. Systematic monitoring to distinguish donor-transmitted infections from other new infections post transplant is challenging. Administrative health data can be informative. We aimed to quantify post-transplant viral infections, specifically those transmitted by donors and those reactivating or arising new in recipients. Methods: We linked transplant registries with administrative health data for all solid organ donor-recipient pairs in New South Wales, Australia, 2000-2015. All new recipient notifications of hepatitis B (HBV), C (HCV), or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) after transplant were identified. Proven/probable donor transmissions within 12 months of transplant were classified using an international algorithm. Results: Of 2120 organ donors, there were 72 with a viral infection (9/72 active, 63/72 past). These 72 donors donated to 173 recipients, of whom 24/173 already had the same infection as their donor, and 149/173 did not, so were at risk of donor transmission. Among those at risk, 3/149 recipients had proven/probable viral transmissions (1 HCV, 2 HBV); none were unrecognized by donation services. There were no deaths from transmissions. There were no donor transmissions from donors without known blood-borne viruses. An additional 68 recipients had new virus notifications, of whom 2/68 died, due to HBV infection. Conclusion: This work confirms the safety of organ donation in an Australian cohort, with no unrecognized viral transmissions and most donors with viral infections not transmitting the virus. This may support targeted increases in donation from donors with viral infections. However, other new virus notifications post transplant were substantial and are preventable. Data linkage can enhance current biovigilance systems.

Background: Despite diversity initiatives, inequities persist in medicine with negative implications for the workforce and patients. Little is known about workplace inequity in nephrology.Aim: To describe perceptions and experiences of bias by health professionals in the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology (ANZSN), focussing on gender and race.Methods: A web-based survey of ANZSN members recorded degree of perceived inequity on a Likert scale, ranging from 1 (none) to 5 (complete). Groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U-test and logistic regression. Comments were synthesised using qualitative methods to explore themes of inequity and pathways to an inclusive future.Results: Of the 620 members of the ANZSN, there were 134 (22%) respondents, of whom 57% were women and 67% were White. The majority (88%) perceived inequities in the workforce. Perceived drivers of inequity were gender (84/113; 75%), carer responsibilities (74/113; 65%) and race (64/113; 56%). Half (74/131) had personally experienced inequity, based on gender in 70% (52/74) and race in 39% (29/75) with perceived discrimination coming from doctors, patients, academics and health administrators. White males were least likely (odds ratio 0.39; 95% confidence interval 0.18-0.90) to experience inequity. Dominant themes from qualitative analysis indicated that the major impacts of inequity were limited opportunities for advancement and lack of formal assistance for those experiencing inequities. Proposed solutions to reduce inequity included normalising the discourse on inequity at an organisational level, with policy changes to ensure diverse representation on committees and in executive leadership positions.Conclusions: Inequity, particularly driven by gender and race, is common for nephrology health professionals in Australia and New Zealand and impacts career progression.

Summary Evidence on cancer transmission from organ transplantation is poor. We sought to identify cases of cancer transmission or non‐transmission from transplantation in an Australian cohort of donors and recipients. We included NSW solid organ deceased donors 2000–2012 and living donors 2004–2012 in a retrospective cohort using linked data from the NSW Biovigilance Register (SAFEBOD). Central Cancer Registry (CCR) data 1972–2013 provided a minimum one‐year post‐transplant follow‐up. We identified cancers in donors and recipients. For each donor‐recipient pair, the transmission was judged likely, possible, unlikely, or excluded using categorization from international guidelines. In our analysis, transmissions included those judged likely, while those judged possible, unlikely, or excluded were non‐transmissions. In our cohort, there were 2502 recipients and 1431 donors (715 deceased, 716 living). There were 2544 transplant procedures, including 1828 (72%) deceased and 716 (28%) living donor transplants. Among 1431 donors, 38 (3%) had past or current cancer and they donated to 68 recipients (median 6.7‐year follow‐up). There were 64 (94%) non‐transmissions, and 4 (6%) transmissions from two living and two deceased donors (all kidney cancers discovered during organ recovery). Donor transmitted cancers are rare, and selected donors with a past or current cancer may be safe for transplantation.