Pharmacokinetics of once daily intraperitoneal cefazolin in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients

This study determined the pharmacokinetic characteristics of once daily intraperitoneal (IP) cefazolin in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. Each of the 10 volunteer CAPD patients without active peritonitis received a single IP dose of 1 g of cefazolin sodium for a 6-h dwell. All patients underwent a fixed CAPD regimen comprising a first 6-h dwell followed by two 3-h dwells and a final 12-h overnight dwell. Blood and dialysate samples were collected at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 6 (end of first dwell), and 24 h after the administration of IP cefazolin. Any urine produced was collected over the 24-h study period. A validated HPLC method was used to analyze cefazolin in plasma, dialysate, and urine. The bioavailability was found to be 77.9 +/- 3.1%, volume of distribution 0.20 +/- 0.05 L/kg, and plasma half-life 39.9 +/- 25.4 h. Mean total, renal, and peritoneal clearances were 4.5 +/- 2.3, 1. 4 +/- 1.1, and 3.5 +/- 1.8 ml/min, respectively. Mean plasma and dialysate concentrations at 24 h were 42.8 +/- 14.3 and 31.8 +/- 11. 7 mcg/ml, respectively, well above the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of susceptible organisms. A once daily IP cefazolin dose of 500 mg/L gave desirable pharmacokinetic attributes for use as a suitable alternative to vancomycin for empiric treatment of CAPD-associated peritonitis.     

Intravenous or intraperitoneal vancomycin for the treatment of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis associated gram-positive peritonitis?

A clinical and pharmacokinetic study was carried out to determine whether an intraperitoneal (IP) loading dose of vancomycin was as effective as an intravenous (IV) load in the treatment of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)-associated gram-positive peritonitis. Each patient continued a 14-day treatment on IP maintenance doses. All cases of peritonitis (10 in each group) were eradicated. Side effects occurred in 3 patients following IV vancomycin and in none following IP vancomycin. Serum and peritoneal vancomycin concentrations equilibrated fully and rapidly with each route. It is concluded that an IP loading dose of vancomycin, followed by IP maintenance doses, is as effective as and produces fewer side effects than an IV loading dose in the treatment of CAPD peritonitis.     

腹膜透析相关性腹膜炎经验用药分析

目的 研究华山医院及宝山分院腹膜透析（腹透）相关性腹膜炎的致病菌、耐药性及患者转归,为临床经验用药提供依据。 方法 回顾性分析2007年1月至2010年1月上述两医院腹透中心收治的93例腹透相关性腹膜炎的临床表现、致病菌、耐药性及转归。 结果 75例腹透液培养阳性,阳性率为80.2％,其中革兰阳性球菌45例,革兰阴性杆菌21例,真菌2例,革兰阳性杆菌1例,革兰阴性球菌1例,多种菌混合感染5例。革兰阳性球菌主要以凝固酶阴性的葡萄球菌为主,所有革兰阳性球菌对万古霉素均敏感,但对头孢唑林耐药率高达60.0%,而且耐药率有明显的逐年增加趋势。革兰阴性菌对头孢他啶的耐药率达到46.1％,所有革兰阴性杆菌对亚胺培南均敏感。因腹膜炎而退出腹膜透析有16例,退出率为17.2％（16/93）。腹腔使用万古霉素对残肾功能无显著影响。 结论 两院腹透中心腹透相关腹膜炎致病菌以革兰阳性球菌为多数。头孢唑啉耐药性逐年增高,目前不再适合作为初始治疗的经验用药。腹腔使用万古霉素可推荐作为革兰阳性菌致腹膜炎的初始经验用药。     

Vancomycin pharmacokinetics in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients with peritonitis

Peritonitis has proven to be the major deterrent to the further growth of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) as a treatment strategy for end-stage renal disease. The correct treatment of peritonitis remains unsettled as evidenced by the presence of advocates for oral, intravenous or intraperitoneal antibiotic administration. This study examines the pharmacokinetic parameters of intravenous vancomycin when employed in the therapy of peritonitis. One gram of intravenous vancomycin was administered during 7 episodes of peritonitis in 5 patients. Plasma and end-of-dwell dialysate levels were maintained above the minimum inhibitory concentration for Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis for 7 days following this single dose of vancomycin. These data establish the existence of sustained intraperitoneal entry of intravenous vancomycin during peritonitis and raise for speculation its use as the sole therapy in most episodes of gram-positive peritonitis.     

Treatment of peritonitis in APD: pharmacokinetic principles

Clinicians treating peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis should be aware that continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD) and automated PD (APD) have different effects on the pharmacokinetics of antibiotics. Results from various APD and comparative CAPD pharmacokinetic studies are reviewed. In APD patients, antibiotic half-lives were shorter during the cycler exchanges. Antibiotic peritoneal clearance was greater in patients treated with APD than those treated with CAPD regimens. Antibiotic clearance depends upon residual renal function and dialysate flow rate. To ensure that maximal antibiotic bioavailability occurs with intermittent intraperitoneal (IP) dosing, it is recommended that the antibiotic-containing dialysate must dwell at least 4 hours to ensure an adequate antibiotic depot in the body. Knowledge of antibiotic disposition in PD patients will assist clinicians in appropriate IP antibiotic dose selection and prevention of dose-related adverse effects.     

腹膜透析相关性腹膜炎169例次临床分析及转归

目的探讨腹膜透析相关性腹膜炎的致病菌和耐药性,及其与转归之间的关系。方法回顾性分析169例次腹膜透析相关性腹膜炎的临床资料、致病菌与耐药性,探讨其与转归的联系。结果116例次培养阳性,培养总阳性率达68．6％,近5年高达87．7％。致病菌中G^＋球菌占58例次（50％）,G^-杆菌45例次（38．8％）,真菌6例次（5．2％）,G^＋杆菌、G^-球菌及混合感染7例（6％）。G^＋球菌中最常见为葡萄球菌（56．8％）;G^-杆菌中大肠杆菌阳性率最高（62．2％）。从耐药性看,G^-杆菌对氨苄西林的耐药率最高（76．7%）,对阿米卡星和哌拉西林／他唑巴坦的耐药率较低（2．9%、3．4％）。G^＋球菌对万古霉素均敏感,对利福平和哌拉西林／他唑巴坦的耐药率较低（2．1％、7．9％）。腹膜炎致持续非卧床腹膜透析（CAPD）退出率为10．1％（17／169）,以真菌腹膜炎为主。结论近5年本中心培养阳性率较高,及时采用血培养瓶留取标本很关键。G^-杆菌对阿米卡星和哌拉西林／他唑巴坦较敏感,而万古霉素、利福平和哌拉西林／他唑巴坦宜作为抗G^＋球菌的经验用药。真菌性腹膜炎是导致腹膜透析退出的主要原因。     

Down-regulation of CD43 molecule expression on intraperitoneal neutrophils in CAPD patients with peritonitis

To assess the release of proteases from neutrophils infiltrated into the peritoneal cavity in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), we investigated the regulation of CD43, LAM-1 and Mac-1 expression on the neutrophil plasma membrane using FACS analysis in CAPD patients with peritonitis. Five CAPD patients with peritonitis and five CAPD patients without peritonitis were studied. CD43 expression was immunohistochemically determined in both groups of patients using flow cytometry, and comparisons were made between the two groups. Down-regulation of CD43 and LAM-1, and up-regulation of Mac-1 were demonstrated on neutrophils obtained from CAPD dialysate of peritonitis patients after 1-h dwell time. Further up-regulation of Mac-1 developed until a dwell time of 4 h. Immunoblot analysis for neutrophil lysate from dialysate showed the presence of the asialo form of CD43 molecules and their fragments, which may be produced by cleavage of the CD43 molecule at extracellular sites. The intraperitoneal neutrophils in dialysate from CAPD patients with peritonitis are continuously activated during dwell time, and proteases may be released from neutrophils into dialysate after only a short dwell time.     

Intraperitoneal (IP) vancomycin therapy for CAPD peritonitis--a prospective, randomized comparison of intermittent v continuous therapy

The use of intraperitoneal (IP) vancomycin as initial, single agent therapy for gram positive and "no organism" continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) peritonitis is described, comparing continuous and intermittent administration schedules. "Continuous" therapy consisted of an IP 1-g loading dose of vancomycin followed by 30 mg/L dialysate effluent. "Intermittent" therapy consisted of 2 IP doses of 30 mg vancomycin/kg body weight--the initial dose delivered at diagnosis and the second dose 1 week later. All patients presenting with peritonitis (n = 90) were randomized to receive either continuous or intermittent vancomycin therapy. Patients in whom gram negative organisms and fungi were identified by microscopy and culture were transferred to therapy with a more appropriate antibiotic (n = 39). In the remainder (n = 51), CAPD peritonitis was treated solely with vancomycin (continuous, n = 21; intermittent, n = 30). Clinical resolution was seen in all patients, requiring a mean of 3.2 days for macroscopic clearing of dialysate effluent. Recurrence of peritonitis within 1 month of cessation of therapy was unusual and did not vary between treatment protocols (4/21 v 3/30; P = NS). There were no differences in observed side effects. Thus, IP vancomycin proved to be a useful single agent therapy for gram positive and no organism CAPD peritonitis. Therapy with two IP doses was effective and as safe as continuous IP vancomycin therapy, and therefore should replace other vancomycin administration schedules in the treatment of CAPD peritonitis.     

Once weekly intraperitoneal therapy for gram-positive peritonitis

The pharmacokinetics and clinical outcome following a 30 mg/kg/2 L intraperitoneal (IP) dose of vancomycin, which was administered once a week for 3 weeks, was studied in ten continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients with peritonitis. Vancomycin was 91% absorbed following the first dose and rapidly achieved therapeutic serum concentrations, 19 +/- 8 mcg/mL at 1 hour and a peak of 37 +/- 8 mcg/mL at 6 hours. Vancomycin was eliminated slowly with a mean total clearance of 7 +/- 3 mL/min/70 kg and a distribution volume of 1.2 +/- 0.3 L/kg. The resultant mean serum t1/2 over the first week was 184 hours and the mean serum concentration at 168 hours was 10 +/- 4 mcg/mL. Based on the positive clinical outcome (100% cure) among patients with uncomplicated gram-positive peritonitis, the potential use of this alternative vancomycin dosing regimen is proposed.     

Pharmacokinetics of intermittent intraperitoneal ceftazidime

Ceftazidime is currently recommended as an alternative first-line agent in the treatment of peritonitis and for Pseudomonas peritonitis. The pharmacokinetics of intermittent intraperitoneal (i.p.) ceftazidime have been poorly characterized. This study was designed to characterize the pharmacokinetic disposition of a single dose of ceftazidime in anuric and non-anuric CAPD patients, over 48 hours. This was a prospective, open label, pharmacokinetic study. The study was conducted in an independent, outpatient dialysis center. Ten volunteer continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients with and without residual renal function, no peritonitis or antibiotics in the previous 4 weeks, and on CAPD for at least 2 months were recruited. Patients received a single dose of i.p. ceftazidime (15 mg/kg) in the first daytime exchange over a 6-hour dwell, after an overnight dwell. Serum, urine, and dialysate were collected over a 48-hour period. A high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay was used to analyze ceftazidime in these samples. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. Six of the 10 patients were non-anuric with a mean residual renal creatinine clearance of 2.9 +/- 1.6 mL/min. The mean +/- SD bioavailability was 72% +/- 14%, and the volume of distribution was 0.34 +/- 0.08 L/kg. The mean serum elimination half-life of 22 +/- 5 hours. The peritoneal clearance was 5.74 +/- 1.6 mL/min. No difference was detected between anuric and nonanuric patients. Mean plasma and dialysate concentrations at 24 hours were 24 +/- 6 microg/mL and 18 +/- 7 microg/mL, respectively, and were 12.0 +/- 3.6 microg/mL and 7.4 +/- 3.1 microg/mL at 48 hours, respectively. Once-daily i.p. dosing of ceftazidime achieves serum and dialysate levels greater than the MIC of sensitive organisms over 48 hours.     

Specific characteristics of peritoneal leucocyte populations during sterile peritonitis associated with icodextrin CAPD fluids.

BACKGROUND: Icodextrin dialysate used for peritoneal dialysis contains an iso-molar glucose polymer solution, which provides sustained ultrafiltration over long dwell times and is considered a valuable approach to reduce intraperitoneal glucose exposure. However, several side effects have been described, including abdominal pain and allergic and hypersensitivity reactions. Also, reactions compatible with chemical peritonitis have been reported. Over the period of a few months (January 2002-May 2002), a remarkable increase in the number of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients using icodextrin dialysate diagnosed with sterile peritonitis was observed in our unit. METHODS: Five of the CAPD patients using icodextrin dialysate in our unit and diagnosed with sterile peritonitis were screened for leucocyte count and leucocyte differentiation during a follow-up period of 77 +/- 23 days. In addition, expression of CD14, a receptor for lipopolysaccharide (LPS), on the peripheral and peritoneal monocyte population was analysed. These results were compared to CAPD patients suffering from bacterial peritonitis. RESULTS: The peritoneal leucocyte count of CAPD patients using icodextrin dialysate and diagnosed with sterile peritonitis did not decrease significantly before treatment with icodextrin dialysate was interrupted, whereas it currently disappeared within 2-4 days in proven bacterial peritonitis. The sterile, cloudy icodextrin effluent contained an excess of macrophages on the day of diagnosis, whereas in bacterial peritonitis essentially an increase in the granulocyte population was observed. No elevation in the eosinophil population was observed. In contrast to bacterial peritonitis, we observed no increase in CD14 expression on the peripheral and peritoneal macrophages on the day of presentation and during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Specific batches of the icodextrin CAPD fluids contain a macrophage chemotactic agent, which causes a sustained inflammatory state in the peritoneal cavity. Because no increase in the expression of the LPS receptor CD14 could be observed, the increased peritoneal leucocyte count is probably not caused by LPS or LPS-like (possibly peptidoglycan-like) contamination.     

Single UK centre experience on the treatment of PD peritonitis--antibiotic levels and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: There are few studies of the pharmacokinetics of vancomycin and gentamicin in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and the influence of antibiotic concentrations on treatment outcome. Concerns about resistance to ceftazidime and potential of aminoglycoside toxicity make the choice of empiric antibiotic difficult. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from 613 patients on PD between 1 June 2002 and 31 December 2005. During this time, we adopted a protocol that minimized aminoglycoside exposure to patients with residual renal function and carefully monitored serum antibiotic concentrations. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in mean day-5 vancomycin concentrations for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) vs automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) and for anuric vs not-anuric patients. However, low levels (<12 mg/l) were recorded for 12.8% CAPD and 15% APD patients. These remained low at day 10 in 16% patients (25% if not anuric) despite incremental dosing. Vancomycin concentration did not predict cure or relapse of Gram-positive or culture-negative peritonitis. Gentamicin concentration (>2 mg/l in >50% patients) did not predict outcome of Gram-negative and culture-negative peritonitis. Moreover, cure rates were the same irrespective of whether gentamicin was continued for 14 days or was switched to ceftazidime after 5 days. CONCLUSION: We have confirmed that the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) dosing guideline for vancomycin in CAPD and APD patients produces adequate serum concentrations of the antibiotics in the vast majority. However, large incremental dosing of vancomycin is needed if day-5 levels are low; especially for not-anuric patients. Whilst evidence of gentamicin toxicity in PD remains controversial, ISPD dosing regimen resulted in high levels for >50% patients. High gentamicin concentrations did not correlate with treatment success, but switching gentamicin to ceftazidime at day 5 appeared safe and limited aminoglycoside exposure. Increasing vancomycin and gentamicin concentrations do not appear to improve cure rates and alternative strategies (such as combination treatment) should be considered for future research.     

Pharmacokinetics of intermittent intravenous cefazolin and tobramycin in patients treated with automated peritoneal dialysis

There is increasing use of intermittent dosing of antibiotics to treat peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis. The disposition of intravenous cefazolin and tobramycin was studied in automated PD (APD) patients. Ten patients were recruited and received a single intravenous dose of cefazolin (15 mg/kg) and tobramycin (0.6 mg/kg). Blood and dialysate samples were collected at the beginning, middle, and end of dwells 1 to 3 (on cycler), and at the end of dwells 4 to 5 (off cycler) for a 24-h period. Baseline and 24-h urine samples were collected. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using a monoexponential model. Cefazolin and tobramycin half-lives were markedly different on cycler than off cycler (cefazolin on cycler : 10.67 +/- 4.66 h; cefazolin off cycler : 23.09 +/- 5.6 h; P = 0.001; tobramycin on cycler : 14.27 +/- 4.53 h; tobramycin off cycler : 68. 5 +/- 26.47 h; P < 0.001). Mean serum and dialysate concentrations were above minimum inhibitory concentrations of susceptible organisms throughout the 24-h period for both drugs with intravenous administration. A model was developed to examine serum and dialysate concentrations after intermittent intraperitoneal administration of 15 mg/kg cefazolin and 0.6 mg/kg tobramycin. Model-predicted intraperitoneal cefazolin provides adequate serum and dialysate concentrations for 24 h. Intermittent intraperitoneal tobramycin doses must be 1.5 mg/kg for one exchange during the first day and then given as 0.5 mg/kg thereafter. It is concluded that the current empiric dosing recommendations for PD-related peritonitis may be adequate for cefazolin (15 to 20 mg/kg); however, tobramycin doses must be changed to 1.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally on day 1, then to 0.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally thereafter in APD patients.     

Intraperitoneal secretion of interleukin-6 during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) was determined in serum and peritoneal dialysis effluent (PDE) of patients on chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) by a biological assay measuring the proliferation of the IL-6-dependent 7TD1 cell line. Six patients free of peritonitis displayed low but significant levels of IL-6 (mean +/- 42 pg/ml) in PDE, while IL-6 was undetectable in serum. In 6 patients with staphylococcal peritonitis, a tremendous increase in PDE levels of IL-6 was noted (range: 5,832-37,491 pg/ml), while serum IL-6 remained either undetectable or on a low level except in one case. After 5 days of antibiotic treatment, IL-6 levels in PDE returned to basal values. We conclude that CAPD results in an intraperitoneal secretion of IL-6 which is markedly but transiently increased during peritonitis episodes.     

Vancomycin and ceftazidime in the treatment of CAPD peritonitis

102 episodes of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) peritonitis were studied prospectively during a 288-day period at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. Organisms were isolated from 76% of the episodes, with coagulase-negative staphylococci, being the most commonly encountered organism (55%). Initial treatment consisted of intraperitoneal vancomycin and ceftazidime with subsequent adjustment on the basis of antibiotic sensitivities. With this regimen, 83% of the positive cultures became negative by 72 h, 9.8% of cases relapsed and removal of the CAPD catheter was necessary in 8 patients (7.8%). Overall, 92% of cases were cured. No adverse drug reactions were seen. This combination of antibiotics appears effective and safe in the treatment of CAPD peritonitis.     

Peritoneal fluid and solute transport: influence of treatment time, peritoneal dialysis modality, and peritonitis incidence

The integrity of the peritoneal membrane in peritoneal dialysis (PD) is of major importance for adequate dialysis and fluid balance. However, alterations in peritoneal fluid transport, such as ultrafiltration failure, often develop during long-term PD. To investigate peritoneal solute and fluid transport and to analyze the influence of treatment time, peritonitis incidence, and PD modality (continuous ambulatory PD [CAPD] or automated PD [APD]), a cross-sectional study with an extended peritoneal transport test that used dextran 70 in 2 L of glucose was performed in 23 nonselected chronic PD patients. Compared were long-term (>40 mo) with short-term PD patients (<40 mo), CAPD with APD patients, and those with a peritonitis incidence of >0.25/yr to those with an incidence of <0.25/yr. Dialysate/plasma (D/P) ratio and mass transfer area coefficient of creatinine, lymphatic absorption rate (LAR), transcapillary ultrafiltration, and effective ultrafiltration were measured. Long-term PD patients had higher D/P ratio of creatinine (73.5 +/- 2.3% versus 65.9 +/- 2.2%; P < 0.01) and higher LAR (243 +/- 69 ml/4 h versus 96 +/- 31 ml/4 h; P < 0.03), both resulting in lower effective ultrafiltration (242 +/- 35 ml/4 h versus 324 +/- 30 ml/4 h; P < 0.05). D/P ratio (r = 0.66) and LAR (r = 0.67) were positively correlated to PD duration. Patients on APD compared with those on CAPD and patients with a history of peritonitis compared with those without did not differ in terms of D/P ratio, mass transfer area coefficient, LAR, transcapillary ultrafiltration, and effective ultrafiltration. Lower ultrafiltration after long-term PD is both the result of increased small solute transport and increased lymphatic absorption. APD or CAPD modality and peritonitis incidence do not have a significant influence on small solute transport or fluid kinetics.     

Vancomycin and tobramycin in the treatment of CAPD peritonitis

Seventy-five episodes of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) peritonitis were studied during a 1 year period at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. When two simple culture methods were used in parallel, the causative organisms were identified in 97% of cases. Nearly two thirds of episodes of peritonitis were caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci (C-NS), many of which were multiply antibiotic-resistant. On the basis of detailed antibiotic sensitivities, intraperitoneal vancomycin and tobramycin were chosen for the initial treatment of CAPD peritonitis. With this regime, a cure was achieved in 32 of 38 episodes, compared with 15 of 27 episodes when cefuroxime was used. All but 1 of 24 episodes caused by C-NS were cured by vancomycin.     

Benefits of Low Dose Immunoglobulin in the Treatment of Refractory CAPD Peritonitis and Longevity of Technical Survival on CAPD

In this study we investigated the long term results of intraperitoneal immunoglobulin (Ig) treatment in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialyses (CAPD) patients with refractory or relapsing peritonitis. Sixteen CAPD patients (4 female, 12 male) with a mean age of 53 ± 11 years (40–80), with a mean CAPD duration of 46.2 ± 4.8 months (17–75) were included in the study. The patients included had a diagnosis of either refractory or relapsing peritonitis unresponsive to appropriate antibiotic therapy. 0.5 g of Ig was added to every exchange bag qid as an adjunctive therapy to the culture based antibiotherapy for 7 days. Intraperitoneal Ig treatment was found to be successful in treating peritonitis in all but one patient. Interestingly, following Ig treatment, long term peritonitis rate decreased significantly compared to the period before treatment (before: 2.2 ± 0.6 episodes/patient/year vs. after: 0.6 ± 0.17 episodes/patient/year; P = 0.019). The mean CAPD duration after Ig treatment was 30.5 ± 5.4 (4–64) months. Out of 16 patients, one patient who was unresponsive, had his catheter removed and was switched to hemodialysis, and four patients with preexisting ultrafiltration failure or inadequate dialysis problems were transferred to hemodialysis after successful treatment of their peritonitis, one patient was transplanted and 10 patients continued on CAPD. We conclude that low dose Ig treatment may be beneficial in the treatment of refractory or relapsing CAPD peritonitis possibly through restoring impaired host defense within peritoneal cavity. This therapy, by preventing further peritonitis attacks, may prolong survival on CAPD.     

Streptococcus agalactiae: A rare peritoneal infection in a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patient

Streptococcus agalactiae causes a rare and often fatal peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). A 52-year-old white female with Alport and chronic kidney disease was initiated on CAPD treatment. Nineteen months later she had a S. agalactiae peritonitis identified and received initially gentamicin–cephalothin, which was changed to ceftazidime, tobramycin, and vancomycin. Recovery started after peritoneal catheter removal. After 3 weeks, severe leucopenia occurred. Granulokine and steroids were given. Six weeks later, she felt well and an abdominal video laparoscopic procedure disclosed a diffuse peritoneal fibrosis, precluding CAPD resumption. She is now doing well on hemodialysis (HD).     

Chronic peritoneal dialysis: mechanical and infectious complications

The present report summarizes the mechanical and infectious complications attributable to the devices and procedures used for chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD), comparing the type and frequency of such complications in contemporaneous groups of patients undergoing continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD) or intermittent PD (IPD). Mechanical complications related directly to the catheter and its placement proved to be equally frequent during CAPD and IPD. On the other hand, mechanical complications related to increased intraperitoneal pressure were more frequent during CAPD. In most instances mechanical complication can be managed without permanent interruption of chronic PD. Peritonitis occurs more frequently during CAPD (1.6 episodes per patient-year) than during IPD (0.4 episodes per patient-year), with a tendency to more frequent peritonitis among diabetics, children, patients with white blood cell abnormalities, patients with catheter cuff or tunnel inflammation, and during the 1st month of treatment. Medical therapy eradicates peritonitis and allows continuation of chronic PD with retention of the catheter in more than 90% of episodes, although special problems may be encountered with fungal, pseudomonal, and some coagulase-positive staphylococcal infections.