Fungal peritonitis during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: a report of 17 cases

Seventeen cases of fungal peritonitis and one case of Nocardia asteroides peritonitis were observed in 141 patients during the first 5 years of our continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis program (CAPD). Fungal peritonitis accounted for 7% of the episodes of peritonitis observed in this interval. There were eight deaths associated with fungal peritonitis. In only three instances could factors predisposing to fungal peritonitis be identified. We were unable to predict who would develop fungal peritonitis by analysis of nutritional, demographic, or technical factors associated with the dialysis procedure. The diagnosis of fungal peritonitis was easily established using routine blood agar culture techniques. Successful management of these patients included prompt removal of the Tenckhoff catheter and intravenous (IV) administration of amphotericin.