Nocardia peritonitis and abdominal abscess complicating continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Peritonitis is a common problem in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and represents the most frequent cause of peritoneal catheter loss and discontinuation of CAPD. The incidence of peritonitis remains less than one episode per patient year of treatment. Common bacteria, particularly staphyloccal species, are the usual causative agents. Fungi and higher bacteria such as Nocardia as aetiological agents have been infrequent in patients undergoing CAPD. We report a case of Nocardia nova peritonitis complicated by an intra‐abdominal abscess requiring surgical drainage and a protracted course of antibiotics.     

Paecilomyces variotii peritonitis in an infant on automated peritoneal dialysis

Fungal peritonitis is a serious complication of chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD) and is frequently associated with CPD drop-out. Paecilomyces variotii, a common saprophytic fungus, rarely causes human infection. To date, only nine adult or adolescent patients with P. variotii peritonitis during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis have been reported. In all patients, successful treatment required antifungal therapy and removal of the peritoneal catheter. We report the first case of P. variotii peritonitis in an infant on automated peritoneal dialysis successfully treated with combined intraperitoneal and oral fluconazole, without removal of the peritoneal catheter. Received: 10 March 1999 / Revised: 7 July 1999 / Accepted: 8 July 1999     

Peritonitis from Mycobacterium wolinskyi in a chronic peritoneal dialysis patient

We report the case of acute peritonitis caused by a rapidly growing mycobacterium in a chronic peritoneal dialysis patient, whose renal failure had been caused by diabetic glomerulosclerosis. The organism cultured from the peritoneal dialysis fluid was Mycobacterium wolinskyi. Peritonitis caused by M. wolinskyi in a chronic peritoneal dialysis patient has never been reported before.     

Capnocytophaga canimorsus peritonitis in a pediatric peritoneal dialysis patient

Capnocytophaga canimorsus, a bacterium rarely encountered by clinicians, was responsible for the development of peritonitis in an 18-year-old white male on automated peritoneal dialysis following the puncture of his dialysis tubing by a domestic cat. Although more than 100 cases of septicemia caused by C. canimorsus have been reported, this is the first report of the organism causing peritonitis in a patient receiving peritoneal dialysis. Of interest, the patient had a prior episode of peritonitis secondary to Pasteurella multocida, also following transmission from the same cat. Received: 20 November 1998 / Revised: 13 January 1999 / Accepted: 13 January 1999     

Risks of peritoneal membrane failure in children undergoing long-term peritoneal dialysis

Children undergoing long-term peritoneal dialysis are at risk for membrane injury, necessitating conversion to hemodialysis. We analyzed the incidence and risk factors for membrane failure (inadequate ultrafiltration with or without peritoneal adhesions and decreased peritoneal surface area) in 68 children maintained with peritoneal dialysis for more than 3 months at our institution. The overall incidence of membrane failure was 16.2% (11/68). Kaplan-Meier estimates of peritoneal membrane survival were 88% at 24 months, 72% at 36 months, 65% at 48 months, and 52% at 60 months. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the risk of membrane failure increased with the number of episodes of peritonitis (odds ratio 1.61). The rate of peritonitis was 1 per 7.02 patient months in children who developed membrane failure compared with 1 per 9.18 patient months in children without membrane failures but the rate of peritonitis was not predictive of membrane failure (P=0.09). Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that peritonitis caused byPseudomonas aeruginosa or alpha streptococcal organisms were independent predictors of membrane failure. We conclude that peritoneal membrane survival declines substantially with time on peritoneal dialysis and that membrane failure is associated with peritonitis, particularly peritonitis caused byPseudomonas aeruginosa and alpha streptococcal organisms. The mechanism(s) of membrane injury are unknown but may be related to the inflammatory response initiated during peritonitis.     

Successful treatment of Aspergillus peritonitis in a peritoneal dialysis patient

Aspergillus peritonitis is a rare, potentially fatal complication of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). We report the successful treatment of refractory fungal peritonitis in an 8-year-old girl treated by peritoneal dialysis for 3.3 years. This is the second report of Aspergillus thermomutatus (telemorph: Neosartorya pseudofischeri) in humans. Comprehensive treatment included early removal of the CAPD catheter, the use of liposomal amphotericin B, and the use of itraconazole. Received: 21 August 2001 / Revised: 17 December 2001 / Accepted: 18 December 2001     

Peritoneal catheter colonization by Penicillium sp : Case report and review of penicillium-related complications in peritoneal dialysis

Fungal peritonitis is an uncommon, serious complication of peritoneal dialysis, usually caused by Candida sp . Asymptomatic fungal colonization of the peritoneal catheter is less frequent. Penicillium sp have only rarely been reported as a cause of peritoneal complications in peritoneal dialysis. We report a case of fever and peritoneal catheter malfunction associated with catheter colonization by Penicillium sp , in the absence of signs or symptoms of acute peritonitis. Cultures of the dialysate grew Penicillium sp, and histological examination showed penetration of the catheter by hyphae. The peritoneal catheter was removed, and the patient was maintained on hemodialysis and oral itraconazole for 6 weeks before successfully returning to continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD). One case of Penicillium catheter colonization and seven of Penicillium peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients have been previously published in the English literature. Detailed data were provided in five reports. Delayed diagnosis was frequent (mean ± SD 31 ± 24 days after the onset of symptoms). Peritonitis cases were treated with catheter removal and antifungal medications, and the outcome was always satisfactory. We conclude that Penicillium should be considered a pathogenic fungus, not a contaminant, when isolated from peritoneal dialysis specimens, and should be treated accordingly. However, Penicillium may colonize the peritoneal catheter in the absence of peritonitis, and the prognosis of Penicillium peritonitis is good despite a frequent delay in diagnosis.     

Fungal peritonitis caused by Curvularia species in a child undergoing peritoneal dialysis

We report the first case of peritonitis caused by Curvularia species in a child undergoing peritoneal dialysis. He presented with gray-black proteinaceous material obstructing the lumen of his Tenckhoff catheter. Although the peritoneal fluid was cloudy, the patient suffered neither significant abdominal tenderness nor systemic symptoms. Catheter removal and treatment with amphotericin B allowed complete recovery and return to peritoneal dialysis within 7 days. Outdoor play in a wooded environment may have allowed contact of this saprophytic fungus with the child’s indwelling catheter transfer set. Received: 6 March 2000 / Revised: 7 June 2000 / Accepted: 11 August 2000     

Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein is present in effluents of patients with Gram-negative and Gram-positive CAPD peritonitis

Background: Bacterial peritonitis is a frequent complication during treatment of end-stage renal failure by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Local host defence mechanisms including the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by peritoneal macrophage are of particular importance in the pathogenesis of infectious complications. LPS-binding protein (LBP) and soluble CD14 (sCD14) are serum factors known to regulate the endotoxin-induced cellular immune response. However, it is still unknown whether LBP and sCD14 are also present in the peritoneal effluent of CAPD patients. Methods: Using specific immunoassays, we examined the concentration of LBP, sCD14 and the proinflammatory cytokines TNF=&agr;, IL-1{beta} and IL-6 in the dialysis effluents of 31 patients with CAPD-associated peritonitis. Twenty patients without peritonitis served as controls. Intraperitoneal LPS concentrations were determined using the limulus amebocyte lysate assay. Results: Bacterial lipopolysaccharide could be detected in 42% of the infected dialysis effluents. In comparison to controls (0.2±0.05 &mgr;g/ml), LBP was significantly elevated in both Gram-negative/LPS-positive (1.03±0.3 &mgr;g/ml) and Gram-positive infections (0.5±0.14 &mgr;g/ml) (P<0.05). No significant differences were detected concerning the intraperitoneal sCD14 levels in the three patient groups. Levels of TNF-&agr;, IL-1{beta} and IL-6 were significantly increased in the effluents of patients with bacterial peritonitis compared to non-infected controls. Moreover the respective cytokine concentrations were significantly higher in the Gram-negative/LPS-positive compared to the gram-positive bacterial infections (P<0.01). Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that LBP is significantly elevated in the dialysis effluents of patients with CAPD-associated peritonitis caused by both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and might be used as a marker of intraperitoneal infection. Moreover, our findings support the concept that LBP enhances the effects of LPS on cytokine production by peritoneal macrophages. The function of LBP in Gram-positive infection remains to be further elucidated. Key words: CAPD-associated peritonitis; cytokines; lipopolysaccharide-binding protein; macrophages; peritoneal dialysis; soluble CD14      

ku Pasteurella multocida peritonitis in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis

A 12-year-old girl on peritoneal dialysis developed sub-clinical peritonitis due to Pasteurella multocida, following puncture of her dialysis tubing by a domestic cat. Only four other similar cases of P. multocida peritonitis have been reported in adults. This unusual form of peritonitis could be easily prevented by not allowing domestic animals to come into contact with dialysis tubings in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Received June 10, 1996; received in revised form and accepted October 1, 1996     

Comparing long-term outcomes between early and delayed initiation of peritoneal dialysis following catheter implantation

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare peritonitis rates, peritoneal dialysis technique survival and patient survival between patients who started peritoneal dialysis earlier than 14 days (early starters) and 14 days or more (delayed starters) after insertion of a Tenckhoff catheter. Methods: Observational analysis was performed for all patients who underwent insertion of a Tenckhoff catheter at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2012. The patients were divided into two groups: early and delayed starters. The rate and outcomes of peritonitis were recorded. Peritoneal dialysis technique survival and patient survival were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method. Cox regression analysis was performed for peritoneal dialysis technique failure and patient mortality. Results: There were 80 early starters and 69 delayed starters. The peritonitis rate was 0.18 episodes per year in early starters and 0.13 episodes per year in delayed starters. There was no significant difference of peritonitis free survival (p?=?0.146), peritoneal dialysis technique survival (p?=?0.273) and patient survival (p?=?0.739) at 1, 3, 5 years between early starters and delayed starters. After adjustment with age, albumin and diabetes, early starters did not have an increased risk of peritonitis, technique failure and mortality compared to delayed starters. Conclusion: Compared to the patients who started peritoneal dialysis 14 days or more after catheter implantation, the patients who started earlier did not have an increased risk of peritonitis, peritoneal dialysis technique failure and mortality.     

Peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients after renal transplantation

Background. The occurrence of peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients after renal transplantation during immunosuppression might increase morbidity and mortality. Hence the timing of catheter removal is still controversial. The associated risk factors of this complication have not been analyzed. Methods. We analyzed, retrospectively, the incidence of peritonitis within 90 days after transplantation, its associated morbidity and mortality, as well as risk factors. From 1980 until March 1995, 238 consecutive kidney transplants in peritoneal dialysis patients were performed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to identify risk factors for the development of peritonitis. Results. 232 cases (141 men, 91 women) were available for analysis. In 191 patients, the catheter was removed with a mean interval after transplantation of 122 days (range 0-573). Thirty peritonitis episodes with predominantly Staphylococcus aureus (10/30) or Gram-negative bacteria (12/30) were observed. Independent risk factors before transplantation were the total number of peritonitis episodes (P<10^-5), previous peritonitis with S. aureus bacteria (P<10^-5), and male sex (P<0.004). Risk factors after transplantation were technical surgical problems (P<10^-5), more than two rejection episodes (P<0.02), permanent graft non-function (P<0.026), and urinary leakage (P<0.035). Conclusions. Transplantation without simultaneous peritoneal catheter removal is feasible. However, this increases the risk of peritonitis after transplantation. Early catheter removal should be considered seriously in those patients at risk. When peritonitis develops, antibiotic treatment should be directed against Gram-positive as well as Gram-negative bacteria until culture results are available. Keywords: catheter; peritoneal dialysis; peritonitis; risk factors; transplantation      

Case Report: Peritonitis by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penicillium</Emphasis> spp. in a Patient Undergoing Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis

Even though prominent technical improvements in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) treatments during the last decade, peritonitis keeps its place as an important cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients. Among them fungal peritonitis is happened to be the most difficult one to deal with and comes out serious clinical presentation. It is presented here a case of CAPD related fungal peritonitis caused by Penicillium spp. This case experienced recently relapsing bacterial episodes of peritonitis and received long term antibiotics intraperitoneally and systemically. Eventually, Penicillium spp. was detected in several cultures of peritoneal effluent and also tip of Tenckhoff catheter, therefore it was considered as a causative agent. Then, the catheter was removed and amphotericin B therapy was performed. But the general condition of the patient did not improve till surgically drainage of peritoneal collection which was determined by MR (Magnetic Resonance) examination of abdomen after antifungal treatment was completed and Penicillium spp. in the drainage samples was not determined anymore.     

Adverse effect of peritonitis on peritoneal membrane function in children on dialysis

 The effect of peritonitis on peritoneal membrane solute transport characteristics was determined as part of a multicenter study in children on continuous ambulatory/cycling peritoneal dialysis. Ninety-three children each underwent a 4-h peritoneal equilibration test (PET) with 1,100 ml/m² 2.5% Dianeal for determination of mass transfer area coefficients (MTAC), dialysate to plasma ratios (D/P) for creatinine and urea at 0, 30, 60, 120, 180, and 240 min and dialysate glucose levels at 0, 30, 60, 120, 180, and 240 min for calculation of D/Do. The mean age of the study cohort was 10.1±5.6 years (range 0.1–19 years). There were 162 historical episodes of peritonitis; at the time of the PET tests, 36 children had never had an episode of peritonitis (group I) while 57 children had a history of one or more episodes of peritonitis (group II). In group II children, the 4-h glucose D/Do was significantly lower and the 4-h D/P creatinine ratio, the creatinine MTAC, and the glucose MTAC were significantly higher (each P<0.05) than in group I. In children with a history of peritonitis caused by Gram-negative organisms, the 4-h glucose D/Do (P<0.05) and the creatinine MTAC (P<0.05) were significantly lower and the glucose MTAC (P=0.07) nearly significantly lower than in children without a history of peritonitis. Linear regression analysis did not demonstrate a correlation between any of the variables and duration of peritoneal dialysis, while the rate of peritonitis was weakly correlated with glucose MTAC (r=0.34, P<0.05) and with 4-h glucose D/Do (r=–0.222, P<0.01). We conclude that children with a history of peritonitis have peritoneal membranes that are more permeable to glucose and creatinine than children without a history of peritonitis, and that the peritoneal membranes of children who have had peritonitis caused by Gram-negative organisms are also more permeable to creatinine and glucose. Such changes are likely to have an adverse effect on membrane function and could eventually contribute to ultrafiltration failure. Received: 29 December 1997 / Revised: 13 April 1998 / Accepted: 14 April 1998     

Infectious and catheter-related complications in pediatric patients treated with peritoneal dialysis at a single institution

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD) are the predominant dialytic modalities for the majority of children while awaiting transplantation. Wide acceptability of peritoneal dialysis is hindered by infectious complications. A retrospective review of 367 pediatric patients treated with CAPD/CCPD for at least 3 months from September 1980 through December 1994 revealed that the peritonitis incidence ranged from 1.7 to 0.78 episodes per patient-year. No differences in peritonitis rates were observed between patients treated with CAPD or CCPD. Gram-positive organisms were responsible for the majority of peritonitis episodes. Age, sex, race, primary renal disease, presence of nephrotic syndrome, and serum albumin level were not associated risk factors. Longer time on treatment and diminished serum IgG level were associated with increased peritonitis incidence. Treatment was successfully completed at home in most cases. Almost half of the catheter losses were caused byStaphylococcus, Pseudomonas, and fungal peritonitis and tunnel/exit-site infections. Infectious complications are still the major causes of morbidity and treatment failure in patients treated with CAPD/CCPD. Thus, controlled studies are needed to assess methods for prevention or improvement of peritonitis rates in this patient population.     

Peritoneal nitric oxide is a marker of peritonitis in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Nitric oxide plays an important role in mediating the inflammatoryprocess. The aim of this study was to evaluate if nitric oxideproduction was increased during peritonitis in patients receivingcontinuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), and the associationwith the prognosis. The study population comprised 21 patientswith 22 episodes of peritonitis. Fifteen patients without peritonitiswere controls. Nitrate was measured by HPLC and nitrite by theGriess method, to reflect nitric oxide production. Peritonealdialysate effluent and plasma were collected from six patientsduring peritonitis and 1 week after treatment to study changesin dialysate:plasma ratio. In 15 patients, nitrite was measuredduring peritonitis and every 3 days for 2 weeks or until normalizedfor evolutional changes. The dialysate plasma ratios of nitrateand nitrite during peritonitis were reduced 26% and 41.5%, respectively,after 1 week of treatment, indicating the peritoneal productionof nitric oxide during peritonitis. In the evolutional study,a 5.1-fold increase of peak nitrite levels in bacterial peritonitis(n=13) and a 2.5-fold increase in fungal peritonitis (n=3) wereobserved compared to controls. Nitrite gradually declined tocontrol levels (9.3±7.2 days) after effective antibiotictreatment, but took longer than to normalize leukocyte countin the peritoneal dialysate effluent (3.9±1.9 days).In four patients with refractory peritonitis (Candida infectionin three, Acinetobacter infection in one), the nitrite levelsremained elevated 2-fold despite treatment, and the catheterswere removed. It is concluded that nitrite levels in peritonealdialysate effluent may serve as a marker to assess treatmentefficacy in CAPD patients with peritonitis.     

Stérilisation du cathéter de dialyse péritonéale en cas de péritonite récidivante : intérêt de l’administration d’urokinase. À propos de quatre observations

The presence of a biofilm within the peritoneal dialysis catheter where bacteria are encapsulated, protected from the action of antibiotics and insidiously liberated within the dialysate, best explains the relapse of the infectious peritonitis, when antibiotics are withdrawn. We here report a serie of four clinical cases in whom the administration of urokinase within the peritoneal catheter in addition to the current antibiotherapy, has cured relapsing peritonitis due to Staphylococcus epidermidis in two cases, Acinetobacter johnsonii in one case and Staphylococcus haemolyticus in one case, respectively. This approach, safe and easy, allowed the infection eradication and did prevent a catheter removal and a potential transfer of the patients to hemodialysis.     

Peritoneal Catheters and Related Infections

Catheter related infectious complications (exit-site infections, tunnel infections, and peritonitis) remain the major reasons for technique failure during the three decades since, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) treatment has been first established. Despite improvements in catheter’s survival rates, catheter related complications result in an increase in the cumulative patients’ morbidity and often leading to the catheter removal. The ideal catheter provides reliable and rapid dialysate flow rates without leaks or infections. Among several types, the double-cuff straight Tenckhoff catheter, developed in 1968, is still the most widely used, although its use is decreasing in favour of swanneck catheters. Although there are onlu few well-designed trials comparing catheters and catheters related infectious complications, controlling for all other important variables, no difference in these complications among the main types of catheters was seen. The single cuff catheters have been associated with a shorter survival rate and time to the first peritonitis episode than the double-cuff catheters. Also exit-site infections were found to be more frequent and significantly more resistant to treatment with single-cuff compared to double-cuff ones. Finally, better results have been reported with the latest developed presternal peritoneal dialysis catheter both regarding survival rates and exit-site infection and peritonitis rates. Recently a renewed interest in continuous flow peritoneal dialysis stimulated inventions of imaginative, double-lumen catheters since a suitable peritoneal access is a sine qua non condition for the development of this new technique of peritoneal dialysis.     

Repeated cat-associated peritonitis in a patient on automated nocturnal intermittent peritoneal dialysis

A 49-year-old man had three episodes of bacterial peritonitis in the 8 months after he started nocturnal intermittent peritoneal dialysis (NIPD) at home, using an automated cycler device. When peritonitis was first diagnosed, Enterobacter agglomerance was cultured in his peritoneal fluid. In the second and third episodes, Pasteurella multocida and alpha-Streptococcus were isolated, respectively. These bacteria are unusual pathogens in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) peritonitis. Detailed questioning revealed that a domestic cat had bitten the dialysis tube before the patient experienced the second episode of peritonitis. Pasteurella multocida is part of the normal oral flora in cats and dogs. We isolated Pasteurella multocida from the teeth of the patient's cat. Enterobacter agglomerance is part of the common bacterial flora in animal's alimentary tract, and alpha-Streptococcus is commonly found in animal's respiratory tracts. Since the patient removed the cat from his bedroom, he has had no peritonitis. NIPD is a very convenient sysytem for patients in the final stage of renal failure; however, patients must be aware of the risks associated with keeping pets in their homes. This case is the first report of cat-associated peritonitis in Japan. Received: July 9, 1998 / Accepted: September 24, 1998     

Penicillium peritonitis in an adolescent receiving chronic peritoneal dialysis

A 19-year-old female on chronic peritoneal dialysis developed acute peritonitis; multiple peritoneal fluid and catheter tip cultures yielded Penicillium species. She promptly responded to catheter removal and intravenous amphotericin B, followed by oral fluconazole, without further recurrences 1 year later. This is the first reported case of Penicillium peritonitis in the pediatric population. We review the microbiology and clinical spectrum of this disease, as well as the few previous reported cases in adults. Received: 2 November 1998 / Revised: 1 February 1999 / Accepted: 4 February 1999