The epidermo-peritoneal potential in patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.
At physiologic pH, S. epidermidis moves along an electrical potential gradient. We measured the epidermo-peritoneal electrical potential (EPP) in 23 end-stage renal failure patients treated with CAPD. There was a negative correlation between the mean EPP and the patient's age (r = 0.47, p = 0.016), but no correlation between the mean EPP and the duration of treatment (r = 0.003, p = 0.5). The EPP was greater in those patients with a history of recurrent bacterial peritonitis due to S. epidermidis [median EPP 23 mv (95% confidence limits 16-51)] compared to those with only one or no episodes of bacterial peritonitis due to S. epidermidis infection [11 mv (9-17), p < 0.05]. Thus electrical gradients caused by the presence of the CAPD catheter could contribute to colonisation and subsequent infection by skin commensals, by aiding bacterial migration.
Davenport
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A
Department of Renal Medicine, St. James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK.
Dealler
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SF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004817:Epidermis / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010531:Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory / Q000009:adverse effects; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000502:physiology*; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000382:microbiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis