title: Nontuberculous mycobacterial peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients.
abstract: While nontuberculous mycobacterial peritonitis is uncommon among peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, these infections have serious consequences. They present a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for clinicians. Diagnosis can be delayed due to the slow growth rate of some mycobacterial species. These organisms can also be overlooked when adequate culture media are not used in the microbiological evaluation process. The choice of antimicrobial therapy depends upon isolation and speciation of the infecting Mycobacterium species, and prompt catheter removal is essential. Because serious intra-abdominal complications may follow infection, identifying patient risk factors for nontuberculous mycobacterial peritonitis and initiating prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential. We report three cases of peritonitis associated with Mycobacterium chelonae and Mycobacterium gordonae, each with a unique presentation, and discuss the appropriate diagnosis and treatment strategies for the management of PD-associated mycobacterial infections.
authors.affiliation: Section of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8029, USA.
authors.forename: Mira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rho
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bia
authors.forename: Ursula C
authors.initials: UC
authors.lastname: Brewster
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016926:Mycobacterium chelonae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009170:Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents