title: Peritonitis in children on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.
abstract: Between 1979 and 1985, 26 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis had 97 episodes of peritonitis. These occurred over a period of 336 patient months, giving an incidence of one episode every 3.5 patient months. The micro-organisms comprised Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as fungi which accounted for six episodes. Gram-positive bacteria were isolated in 49 of the 97 episodes (50.5%) with Staphylococcus epidermidis predominating. The incidence of culture-negative peritonitis was high (27.8%). Because of failure to respond to treatment, or because of frequent recurrences, 42% patients were transferred to haemodialysis. The changing bacterial ecology has necessitated an alteration in choice of antibiotics. Cefamandole and/or gentamicin are no longer appropriate since 46% strains of S. epidermidis are now methicillin-resistant. Our 'best guess' choice for bacterial peritonitis would now start with netilmicin, vancomycin being added if indicated. For fungal peritonitis we would now start with a primary course of anti-fungal agents followed by early removal of the catheter if there is no response to treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow, U.K.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mocan
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Beattie
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: McAllister
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010531:Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012008:Recurrence; D006435:Renal Dialysis