Streptococcal peritonitis in Australian peritoneal dialysis patients: predictors, treatment and outcomes in 287 cases.
BACKGROUND
There has not been a comprehensive, multi-centre study of streptococcal peritonitis in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) to date.


METHODS
The predictors, treatment and clinical outcomes of streptococcal peritonitis were examined by binary logistic regression and multilevel, multivariate poisson regression in all Australian PD patients involving 66 centres between 2003 and 2006.


RESULTS
Two hundred and eighty-seven episodes of streptococcal peritonitis (4.6% of all peritonitis episodes) occurred in 256 individuals. Its occurrence was independently predicted by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander racial origin. Compared with other organisms, streptococcal peritonitis was associated with significantly lower risks of relapse (3% vs 15%), catheter removal (10% vs 23%) and permanent haemodialysis transfer (9% vs 18%), as well as a shorter duration of hospitalisation (5 vs 6 days). Overall, 249 (87%) patients were successfully treated with antibiotics without experiencing relapse, catheter removal or death. The majority of streptococcal peritonitis episodes were treated with either intraperitoneal vancomycin (most common) or first-generation cephalosporins for a median period of 13 days (interquartile range 8-18 days). Initial empiric antibiotic choice did not influence outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Streptococcal peritonitis is a not infrequent complication of PD, which is more common in indigenous patients. When treated with either first-generation cephalosporins or vancomycin for a period of 2 weeks, streptococcal peritonitis is associated with lower risks of relapse, catheter removal and permanent haemodialysis transfer than other forms of PD-associated peritonitis.
O'Shea
Stacey
S
Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry, Adelaide, Australia. stacey_oshea@health.qld.gov.au
Hawley
Carmel M
CM
McDonald
Stephen P
SP
Brown
Fiona G
FG
Rosman
Johan B
JB
Wiggins
Kathryn J
KJ
Bannister
Kym M
KM
Johnson
David W
DW
D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001315:Australia; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D014640:Vancomycin