Pseudomonas peritonitis in CAPD patients: characteristics and outcome of treatment

Twenty-five episodes of Pseudomonas peritonitis which occurred over a five-and-a-half-year period were reviewed. Pseudomonas peritonitis accounted for 25/516 (4.8%) of all episodes of peritonitis. Nine of the episodes were first infections in that the patient had not experienced peritonitis before. The rest were repeat peritonitis. There was no difference in any demographic factors between the first episodes and the repeat episodes except exit site infection which was more common among patients who had repeat infections. Overall cure rate of Pseudomonas peritonitis was 20/25 (80%). Five catheters had to be removed, all in patients who had to be transferred permanently to haemodialysis. In general, ceftazidime in combination with an aminoglycoside was an effective regimen. Oral ofloxacin was not useful despite in vitro sensitivity of the pathogen to the antibiotic.