Vancomycin-resistant peritonitis associated with peritoneal dialysis: a cause for concern.
BACKGROUND
Peritonitis resulting from peritoneal dialysis (PD) remains a serious cause of morbidity and even mortality among dialysis patients.


OBJECTIVE
To highlight the danger of antibiotic resistance in patients on dialysis who have received multiple courses of antibiotics.


METHODS
Two cases are reported in which the patients developed peritonitis resistant to vancomycin.


CONCLUSIONS
Multi-drug resistance is a growing danger. It is imperative to use the most appropriate antibiotics in the proper dosage. If infections persist, early removal of the catheters is essential. The use of antibiotics in PD patients needs to be limited. Sensitivity patterns of the cultured organisms must be monitored regularly as the lack of vigilance may help accelerate the development of the so-called 'super bug' resistant to all antibiotics.
O'Riordan
A
A
Department of Nephrology and Transplantation, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Abraham
K A
KA
Ho
J Kee
JK
Walshe
J J
JJ
D000368:Aged; D016984:Enterococcus faecium; D005260:Female; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis; D020713:Vancomycin Resistance