Rapid detection of causative pathogen of peritonitis using in-situ hybridization in a patient with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) peritonitis is a common problem in patients on peritoneal dialysis, and the bacteriological diagnosis is important for the treatment of this condition. We used Hybrizep (a method for detecting the genes of bacteria ingested in phagocytes), to detect the causative bacterium in a 50-year-old woman receiving peritoneal dialysis who was admitted our hospital with bacterial peritonitis. The test, using peritoneal dialysis fluid, was positive for Streptococcus epidermidis. Vancomycin administration led to a good outcome for this patient. The Hybrizep method (which is available on the Japanese National Health system only for the diagnosis of septicemia) was a useful diagnostic approach for a patient on peritoneal dialysis who had peritonitis.