The increased skin cancer incidence in organ transplant recipients is well-known, but the skin cancer burden at any one time is unknown. Our objective was to estimate the period prevalence of untreated skin malignancy and actinic keratoses in high-risk kidney and liver transplant recipients and to assess associated factors. Organ transplant recipients underwent full skin examinations by dermatologically trained physicians. The proportion of examined organ transplant recipients with histopathologically confirmed skin cancer in the 3-month baseline period was estimated. Prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals indicated significant associations. Of 495 high-risk organ transplant recipients (average age = 54 years, time immunosuppressed = 8.9 years), 135 (27%) had basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma or Bowen's disease (intraepidermal carcinoma) present and confirmed in the baseline period, with respective prevalence proportions of 10%, 11%, and 18% in kidney transplant recipients and 10%, 9%, and 13% in liver transplant recipients. Over 80% had actinic keratosis present, with approximately 30% having 5 or more actinic keratoses. Organ transplant recipients with the highest skin cancer burden were Australian born, were fair skinned (prevalence ratio = 1.61, 95% confidence interval = [1.07, 2.43]), reported past skin cancer (prevalence ratio =3.39, 95% confidence interval = [1.93, 5.95]), and were receiving the most frequent skin checks (prevalence ratio = 1.76, 95% confidence interval = [1.15, 2.70]). In conclusion, high-risk organ transplant recipients carry a substantial measurable skin cancer burden at any given time and require frequent review through easily accessible, specialized services.

Overweight and obese patients carry at least 20% and 50% higher odds of developing SSI after colorectal surgery compared to normal weight patients, respectively.

Queensland (SERC) provided funding for ROTEM® testing and consumables; National Blood Authority Australia, Australian Society of Anaesthetists, and The RBWH and RBWH Foundation provided funding for research nursing support and time to conduct the research. None of these organisations had any involvement in the study design, data collection, analysis interpretation of data or the writing of this report. Conflicts: The authors report no conflicts of interest This study was conducted at The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH).

Summary Background Lung transplant recipients are at high risk of skin cancer, but precise annual incidence rates of treated skin cancers per patient are unknown. Objectives To perform a prospective assessment of the total burden of histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and associated factors in lung transplant recipients. Methods A population‐based cohort of 125 Queensland lung transplant recipients aged 18 years and over, recruited between 2013 and 2015, were followed to the end of 2016. All underwent dermatological skin examinations at baseline and annually thereafter and patients self‐reported all interim treated skin cancers, which were verified against pathology databases. Standard skin cancer risk factors were obtained via questionnaire, and details of medications were acquired from hospital records. Results During a median follow‐up time of 1·7 years, 29 (23%) and 30 (24%) lung transplant recipients with a median duration of immunosuppression of 3·3 years developed SCC and BCC, respectively. The general population age‐standardized incidence rates of SCC and BCC were 201 and 171 per 1000 person‐years, respectively (based on first primary SCC or BCC during follow‐up); however, on accounting for multiple primary tumours, corresponding incidence rates were 447 and 281 per 1000 person‐years. Risk of multiple SCCs increased around sixfold in those aged ≥ 60 years and in those with previous skin cancer, and increased around threefold in those treated with the antifungal medication voriconazole. Multiple BCC risk rose threefold from age 60 years and tenfold for patients with previous skin cancer. Conclusions Lung transplant recipients have very high incidence of multiple primary skin cancers. Close surveillance and assiduous prevention measures are essential. Linked Comment: Proby and Harwood. Br J Dermatol 2020; 183:416–417.

Background Thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) – the presence of anti-thyroid peroxidase and/or anti-thyroglobulin antibodies – affects 8–14% of reproductively-aged women. It is hotly debated whether TAI adversely affects IVF/ICSI outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the relationship between thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) and IVF/ICSI outcomes, both overall and amongst euthyroid women of known age using strict criteria for grouping pregnancy outcomes. Methods The review was registered with PROSPERO: CRD42019120947. Searches were undertaken in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Database from Inception-March 2020. Primary outcomes were clinical pregnancy rate, clinical miscarriage rate, biochemical pregnancy loss, livebirth rate per-cycle and live birth rate per clinical pregnancy (CP). Results 14 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with women who tested negative for thyroid autoantibodies (TAI-), there was no significant difference in clinical pregnancy rate overall (OR 0.86; 95%CI [0.70, 1.05]; P = 0.14; 11 studies; I2 = 29.0%), or in euthyroid women (OR 0.88; 95%CI [0.69, 1.12]; P = 0.29; 10 studies; I2 = 32.0%). There was also no significant difference in clinical miscarriage rate overall (OR 1.04; 95%CI [0.52, 2.07]; P = 0.908; 8 studies; I2 = 53%), or in euthyroid women (OR 1.18; 95%CI [0.52, 2.64]; P = 0.69; 7 studies; I2 = 54%). There was no significant difference in biochemical pregnancy loss (OR 1.14; 95%CI [0.48, 2.72]; P = 0.769; 4 studies; I2 = 0.0%), live birth rate per cycle (OR 0.84; 95%CI [0.67, 1.06]; P = 0.145; I2 = 1.7%), live birth rate per clinical pregnancy (OR 0.67; 95%CI [0.28, 1.60]; P = 0.369; I2 = 69.2%), both overall and in euthyroid women as all studies included consisted of euthyroid women only. There was also no significant difference in number of embryos transferred, number of oocytes retrieved, mean maternal age or TSH levels overall or in euthyroid women. Conclusion The findings of the present study suggest that thyroid autoimmunity has no effect on pregnancy outcomes in euthyroid women alone, or in euthyroid women and women with subclinical hypothyroidism.

Caesarean section for singleton extreme preterm breech delivery is associated with reduced perinatal mortality, improved neonatal condition at delivery, and increased short-term maternal morbidity.

BackgroundUrinary tract infections (UTI) are the most common of infections after renal transplantation. The consequences of UTIs in this population are serious, with increased morbidity and hospitalisation rates as well as acute allograft dysfunction. UTIs may impair overall graft and patient survival. We aimed to identify the prevalence and risk factors for post-transplant UTIs and assess UTIs’ effect on renal function during a UTI episode and if they result in declining allograft function at 2 years post-transplant. Additionally, the causative organism, the class of antibacterial drug employed for each UTI episode and utilisation rates of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) prophylaxis were also quantified.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of 72 renal transplant patients over a 5-year period who were managed at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. Patient charts, pathology records and dispensing histories were reviewed as part of this study and all UTIs from 2 years post transplantation were captured.ResultsOf these patients, 20 (27.8%) had at least one UTI. Older age (p = 0.015), female gender (p < 0.001), hyperglycaemia (p = 0.037) and acute rejection episodes (p = 0.046) were risk factors for developing a UTI on unadjusted analysis. Female gender (OR 4.93) and age (OR 1.03) were statistically significant risk factors for a UTI on adjusted analysis. On average, there was a 14.4% (SEM 5.20) increase in serum creatinine during a UTI episode, which was statistically significant (p = 0.027), and a 9.1% (SEM 6.23) reduction in serum creatinine after the UTI episode trending toward statistical significance.(p = 0.076). Common organisms (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) accounted for 82% of UTI episodes with 70% of UTI cases requiring only a single course of antibiotic treatment. Furthermore, the antibiotic class used was either a penicillin (49%) or cephalosporin (36%) in the majority of UTIs. The use of TMP/SMX prophylaxis for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia prophylaxis did not influence the rate of UTI, with > 90% of the cohort using this treatment.ConclusionsThere was no significant change in serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtrate rate from baseline to 2 years post-transplant between those with and without a UTI.

No abstract