Infection In Peritoneal Dialysis Patients Research Articles

Case report: Peritonitis caused by Pantoea agglomerans from pet dog exposure in peritoneal dialysis.

Peritonitis caused by Pantoea agglomerans is a rare occurrence in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Cases potentially linked to pet dogs are even rarer, and there is limited literature available. A patient undergoing peritoneal dialysis presented with symptoms of peritonitis, including abdominal pain and cloudy dialysis fluid. Microbiological analysis identified P agglomerans as the causative organism. The patient was treated with targeted antibiotic therapy and showed a positive response. During a subsequent medical interview, it was revealed that the patient had close contact with their pet dog, raising the possibility that the infection may have been associated with this exposure. This case highlights the importance of considering zoonotic transmission as a potential source of infection in peritoneal dialysis patients, particularly when there is close contact with pets. Healthcare providers should educate patients about the potential risks posed by pets and implement preventive strategies to mitigate such risks.

Effect of two different peritoneal dialysis modalities on wound infection in peritoneal dialysis patients: A meta-analysis.

Peritoneal dialysis(PD) is one of the most efficient methods in end-stage kidney disease, and it is very important for PD to perform well. No research has been conducted to evaluate the effect of various types of PD catheters on the prognosis of post-operative wound complications. While recent meta-analyses are in favour of straight tubing, there is still uncertainty as to whether direct or coiled PD is beneficial. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy of direct and coiled PD catheters on the incidence of post-operative wound infection, bleeding and peritonitis. A comprehensive search was carried out on three databases, including PubMed and Embase, and a manual search was carried out on the links in the paper. The results showed that the incidence rate of bleeding after operation and the degree of infection among the straight and coiled pipes were compared. The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of post-operative wound infection among straight PD patients with coiled PD (OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.58-1.08 p = 0.13). No statistical significance was found in the case of PD with coiled tubing compared with that of straight PD group in wound leakage (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.71-1.93 p = 0.55). No statistically significantly different rates of post-operative peritonitis were observed for coiled tubing compared with straight ones in PD patients (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.78-1.45 p = 0.7). There is no statistical significance on the rate of wound infection, wound leakage and peritonitis among coiled and straight tube in PD.

Evidence-based care combined with chlorhexidine gluconate antimicrobial dressing in the prevention of peritoneal dialysis catheter-associated infections

To effectively prevent catheter-related infections during peritoneal dialysis (PD), we have applied evidence-based care (EBC) and chlorhexidine gluconate antimicrobial dressings (CHGAD) to the management of PD patients. CHGAD demonstrated good hygroscopic properties, effectively preventing the pooling of blood and exudate at the catheter outlet. Additionally, CHGAD could effectively inhibit the activity of G+ and G− bacteria, providing effective antibacterial effect on the wound. Furthermore, we found that CHGAD also exhibited good biocompatibility without affecting the activity of fibroblasts. Patients undergoing PD treatment were randomly assigned to either the control or EBC group. The control group received standard care while the EBC group received EBC along with CHGAD. Subsequently, we compared patient- and healthcare-related risk factors, treatment adherence, self-care, catheter infection rates, and satisfaction between the two groups. The results demonstrated that EBC effectively reduced risk factors for catheter infections by improving compliance rate of patients’ Hb, HbA1c, and Alb level, as well as hand hygiene compliance, dialysis water management, high-frequency contact table, disinfection and isolation, and catheter maintenance during dialysis. Furthermore, EBC improved patients’ treatment adherence, self-care ability, and participation in PD catheter management. The combination of EBC and CHGAD effectively reduced the incidence of catheter infections and improved patient satisfaction with care. Consequently, EBC combined with CHGAD shows significant potential in the management of catheter infections in PD patients and should be advocated in clinical practice.

IMPACT OF BACTERIAL INFECTIONS IN PERITONEAL DIALYSIS PATIENTS

Bacterial infections can cause significant clinical complications in patients undergoing Peritoneal Dialysis (PD). This study aimed to determine bacterial infection's clinical and psychosocial outcomes in PD patients. A prospective observational study enrolled 150 PD patients through non-probability sequential sampling. Demographic information, duration of PD, previous infections, and laboratory results were collected. Bacterial infections were identified through routine cultures of PD fluids, and antibiotic susceptibility was determined using the disc diffusion method. The average age of PD patients was 52.3 years, with 42% men and 58% women (p<0.05). Staphylococcus aureus infected 22 patients (14.67%), whereas Streptococci infected 18 patients (12%) (p<0.05). Antibiotic susceptibility assays determined that Staphylococcus aureus was 77% sensitive to vancomycin. Seventy-five patients (50%) on PD for more than 19 months encountered infections. Among the infected group, 90 patients (60%) recovered without complications, while 5 (4.2%) died. The study revealed a significant correlation between bacterial infections in PD patients and clinical symptoms, antibiotic resistance patterns, and disease duration. These findings highlight the importance of enhanced patient monitoring and evolving treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes.

The use of mini-invasive surgical techniques to treat refractory exit-site and tunnel infections in peritoneal dialysis patients: a clinical approach.

Peritoneal dialysis-(PD) related infections continue to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients on PD. Although greatadvances have been made in the prevention and treatment of infectious complications over the past two decades, catheter-related infections represent asignificant cause of technical failurein PD. Recent studies support the role of exit-site/tunnel infections in causing peritonitis. Peritonitis secondary to tunnel infection led to catheter loss in most cases. Thus, removing the catheter when exit-site/tunnel infection is refractory to medical therapy has been recommended. This approach requires interrupting PD and, after the placement of a central venous catheter, andtransferring the patient to haemodialysis. In order to continue PD, simultaneous catheter removal and replacement of the PD catheter has been suggested. Although simultaneous catheter removal and replacement avoids temporary haemodialysis, it implies the removal/reinsertion of the catheter and the immediate initiation of PD with the risk of mechanical complications, such as leakage and malfunction. Hence, several mini-invasive surgical techniques, such as curettage, cuff-shaving, removal of the superficial cuff, and partial reimplantation of the catheter, have been proposed as rescue treatments. These procedures mayallow the rescue of the catheter with a success rate of 70-100%. Therefore, in case of refractory exit-site/tunnel infection, a mini-invasive surgical revision should be considered before removing the catheter.

COVID-19 in peritoneal dialysis patients in a Tunisian center

IntroductionThe impact of COVID-19 on patients with chronic kidney disease is poorly understood. Given the co morbidity and immunosuppressed state of these patients, mortality could be higher than that in the general population, especially in patients on dialysis therapy.DescriptionDescribe the clinical manifestations and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in peritoneal dialysis patients.MethodsThis is a retrospective study including peritoneal dialysis patients in a Tunisian center; data and clinical characteristics of patients on peritoneal dialysis who have been infected with the new corona virus between March 2020 and October 2021 were collected.ResultsAmong 36 patients on peritoneal dialysis, 11 (30%) had COVID-19 infection during this period. The average age was 40 ranging from 18 to 82 years old. Sex ratio was at 1.8. As for initial nephropathy, it was diabetic in 45.45%, vascular in 18.18%, interstitial in 18.18%, lupus in 9.09% and undetermined in 9.09% of cases. Severe forms were noted in 54.54% of cases with a mortality rate among infected patients of 45.45%.ConclusionMortality due to COVID-19 seems to be increased in peritoneal dialysis patients and special measures must be applied to prevent the transmission of the virus and limit its damage in this vulnerable population.

COVID-19 Infection in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Comparative Outcome Study with Patients on Hemodialysis and Patients without Kidney Disease

COVID-19 Infection in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Comparative Outcome Study with Patients on Hemodialysis and Patients without Kidney Disease

The Correlation between Serum Lipoprotein(a) and Risk of Mortality in Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis.

Patients with peritoneal dialysis commonly have severe disorders of lipid metabolism, with particularly severe changes in serum lipoprotein(α) [Lp(α)]. Serum Lp(α) may play a role in the risk of mortality in peritoneal dialysis patients. The aim was to investigate the correlation between high serum Lp(α) levels and all-cause mortality and death from cardiovascular events and infection in peritoneal dialysis patients. Three hundred and ninety-two patients with end-stage kidney disease who started peritoneal dialysis treatment between March 1, 2007 and May 31, 2020, were selected. Clinical data of all enrolled patients after 3 months of peritoneal dialysis were collected. Based on the median value of serum Lp(α) level, all enrolled patients were divided equally into a high serum Lp(α) level group (> 275.95 mg/L, n = 196) and a low serum Lp(α) level group (< 275.95 mg/L, n = 196). SPSS25.0 statistical software was used to analyze the factors affecting serum Lp(α) levels and the correlation between high serum Lp(α) levels and all-cause mortality and death from cardiovascular events and infection in peritoneal dialysis patients. Binary multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels (OR = 1.614, 95% CI: 1.261 - 2.068, p = 0.000) and high Body Mass Index (BMI) levels (OR = 1.063, 95% CI: 1.004 - 1.126, p = 0.036) were the risk factors for the high serum Lp(α) levels. High serum albumin levels (OR = 0.959, 95% CI: 0.927 - 0.991, p = 0.014) and high parathyroid hormone levels (OR = 0.999, 95% CI: 0.997 - 1.000, p = 0.010) were protective factors for the high serum Lp(α) levels. The cumulative survival of patients in the high serum Lp(α) level group was lower in death from cardiovascular events as shown by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (Log-rank test χ2 = 4.348, p = 0.037). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that high serum Lp(α) levels were an independent risk factor for death from cardiovascular events in peritoneal dialysis patients (HR = 1.002, 95% CI: 1.001 - 1.003, p = 0.001). The occurrence of high serum Lp(α) levels in peritoneal dialysis patients was positively associated with LDL and BMI, and negatively associated with serum albumin and parathyroid hormone levels. High serum Lp(α) levels were related to the risk of death from cardiovascular events in peritoneal dialysis patients.

The Proportion of Memory CD8+ T Cell Predicts Infection Event in Patients with Peritoneal Dialysis

Introduction: The immune senescence marked by the inflation of memory T cell is established in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with peritoneal dialysis (PD). These patients suffer high incidence of infectious disease, which has been relevant to immune dysfunction. However the association of immune senescence with infection in PD patients is not clear. This prospective study aimed to investigate the relationship between proportion of T cell subsets and infection event in patients on PD. Methods: We enrolled patients on PD >6 months from January 1, 2016 to December 30, 2016 and followed them until April 30, 2020. Baseline T cell subsets from blood were collected at the time of recruitment. The primary end point was infection event including peritonitis, exit site infection, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, and other infection. Results: There were 94 patients (46 male) with a mean age of 56.1 ± 14.9 years old enrolled during the follow-up period, and 26 patients suffered infection events. A higher proportion of effector memory (EM) CD8⁺ T cells was found in patients with infection than in those without infection. There was no difference in the distribution of EM CD8⁺ T cells between PD-related and non-dialysis infection. Increased level of EM CD8⁺ T cells was risk factor for first infection event in PD patients. Conclusion: High level of EM CD8⁺ T cells could be a significant predictor of infection event in patients on PD.

Epidemiology, management, and prevention of exit site infections in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Exit site infection (ESI) is a leading complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD), at an incidence of 0.6 episodes per year in the United States, and a major risk factor for catheter removal and peritonitis. An estimated 20% of all peritonitis cases are preceded by an ESI, with up to 50% of Staphylococcus aureus peritonitis associated with ESI. Gram-negative ESIs are less associated with succeeding peritonitis than their gram-positive counterparts, though when present, are associated with a lower peritonitis cure rate. The rate of catheter removal for refractory ESI is relatively highest in ESI due to mycobacteria (up to 40%), S. aureus (35%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (28%), followed by Corynebacterium, Serratia, and fungi. In review of relevant literature, we found no prophylactic benefit of dressings over nondressings, specific antiseptics over normal saline, or topical honey over topical antibiotic prophylaxis, and thus recommend individualized exit site hygiene. We found topical gentamicin effective for prevention of most ESIs, including gram-negative ESIs, and thus recommend consideration of prophylactic topical gentamicin in areas of high gram-negative peritonitis incidence. With long-term use, observational studies detect up to 25% of gram-positive and 14% of gram-negative ESIs may be mupirocin and gentamicin resistant, respectively. We review empiric and targeted ESI management, including indications for ultrasound, anti-VMRSA, anti-Pseudomonal, and anti-mycobacterial antibiotic use, and catheter removal. We recommend further investigation into the earlier use of second-line treatment agents and the utility of treating post-infectious exit site colonization as avenues to decrease refractory and repeat ESI.

Value of gamma interferon enzyme-linked immunospot assay in the diagnosis of peritoneal dialysis-associated tuberculous peritonitis

BackgroundTuberculous peritonitis is the most common form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis infection in peritoneal dialysis patients. However, diagnosing tuberculous peritonitis quickly and early has always been a challenge for nephrologists. Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen-specific gamma interferon enzyme-linked immunospot (IFN-γ ELISPOT) assay has been widely used in the clinical diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy and peritonitis, but its use has not been reported for uremia.MethodsThis study mainly verified the feasibility of using the M. tuberculosis antigen-specific IFN-γ ELISPOT assay in the diagnosis of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients with tuberculous peritonitis. Taking M. tuberculosis culture as the gold standard, the IFN-γ ELISPOT assay was used to analyze peripheral blood and peritoneal dialysis fluid of patients, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves in patients with tuberculous peritonitis (TBP) or non-tuberculous peritonitis (NTBP) were analyzed.ResultsThe area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.927 (95% CI 0.816–1.000, P = 0.001) for the ELISPOT assay with peritoneal fluid mononuclear cells (PFMC), which was higher than that for the ELISPOT assay with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) (0.825, 95% CI 0.6490–1.000, P = 0.011). The cutoff value for the diagnosis of TBP was 40 spot-forming cells (SFCs)/2 × 105 for the ELISPOT with PBMC, with a sensitivity of 55.6%, a specificity of 92.3%, and a diagnostic efficiency of 77.3%. The cutoff value for the diagnosis of TBP was 100 SFCs/2 × 105 for the ELISPOT on PFMC, with a sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic efficiency 77.8%, 84.6%, and 81.8%, respectively. Parallel and serial testing algorithms appeared more accurate than single ELISPOT assays with PBMC, but ELISPOT assays with PFMC.ConclusionsThe IFN-γ release test can be used for the early diagnosis of CAPD-related TBP; compared with peripheral blood, peritoneal fluid may be a more effective and accurate medium to diagnose CAPD complicated with tuberculous peritonitis.

POS-666 COVID-19 IN ESRD PATIENTS WITH PERITONEAL DIALYSIS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection have been seen to have various presentations and outcomes. Several recent studies had explored the differences in characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 in the different patient population, and some with renal complications. There is, however, no systematic review of ESRD patients with peritoneal dialysis (PD) who are infected with SARS-CoV-2. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the prevalence and case fatality rate (CFR) of COVID-19 infection in PD patients.

Chlorhexidine-impregnated sponge dressing for prevention of catheter exit-site infection in peritoneal dialysis patients: a pilot study.

The study aimed to examine effect of chlorhexidine dressing in the prevention of peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related infection in PD patients. This single-center pilot study recruited 50 incident PD patients to use weekly chlorhexidine dressing. The primary outcome was exit-site/tunnel infection rate. Secondary outcomes were peritonitis rate, time to first PD-related infection, infection-related hospitalization, technique and patient survival, adverse events, and chlorhexidine dressing acceptability. These clinical outcomes were compared with those of a historical cohort (2016-2017) using daily gentamicin cream. A total of 50 patients were recruited to use chlorhexidine and followed up for one year. The exit-site/tunnel infection rate was 0.09 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.02-0.22) and peritonitis rate was 0.07 (95% CI 0.01-0.19) episodes per patient-year with chlorhexidine dressing. The 1-year infection-free survival rates for exit-site/tunnel infection and peritonitis were 92% and 94%, respectively. The 1-year technique and patient survival rates were 86% and 96%, respectively. Overall, 12% of participants developed localized contact dermatitis with chlorhexidine. Most participants (73%) reported that chlorhexidine dressings were very acceptable. Compared to a historical cohort using gentamicin cream (n = 238), the chlorhexidine group had similar exit-site/tunnel infection rates (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.65, 95% CI 0.22-1.92) but had lower peritonitis rates (IRR 0.24, 95% CI 0.07-0.77), and lower PD infection-related hospitalization rates (IRR 0.21, 95% CI 0.06-0.69) after adjusting for age, sex, race, primary kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus. Weekly chlorhexidine dressing was associated with acceptable PD-related infection outcomes and was well-accepted by patients, although had a 12% rate of delayed localized contact dermatitis. The study was registered under www.clinicaltrials.gov with the reference number of NCT03406520 on 23 January 2018.

P1198CATHETER-RELATED INFECTIONS DUE TO SERRATIA SPECIES IN PATIENTS RECEIVING PERITONEAL DIALYSIS

Abstract Background and Aims Serratia species can cause catheter-related infections in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients but data on this clinical entity remains limited. This study aims to investigate the clinical characteristics, antibiotics susceptibility/resistance profiles and treatment outcomes of Serratia catheter-related infections in PD patients. Method We retrospectively reviewed all PD patients who were followed up at Queen Mary Hospital and Tung Wah Hospital, Hong Kong between 2004 to 2017. Patients with Serratia exit site infection (ESI) or peritonitis were included for analysis. Results One hundred and seventy-three patients with Serratia catheter-related infections were included. 161 patients had ESI, of which 10 (6.2%) progressed to tunnel tract involvement and 11 (6.8%) developed PD peritonitis. Skin abnormalities surrounding the exit site were present in 58 patients (36%), and 40 patients (24.8%) were hospitalized within 1 month prior to Serratia ESI. 142 patients (88.2%) with ESI responded to medical therapy alone, and repeat ESI occurred in 56 patients (34.7%) at a median of 12 months. Twenty-two patients had Serratia peritonitis, which accounted for 1% of peritonitis during the study period. Concomitant intra-abdominal pathologies were detected in 12 patients (54.5%). Ten patients (45.5%) responded to medical treatment while the remaining 12 (54.5%) required catheter removal. Nine patients (36.4%) failed PD resumption and switched to chronic haemodialysis. Repeat peritonitis occurred in two patients at 2 months and 3 years after the initial episode respectively. While Serratia species in PD patients are generally susceptible to aminoglycosides, carboxy-/ureido-penicillins and carbapenems, they exhibit substantial rates of resistance to ampicillin, and 1st- and 2nd-generation cephalosporins. Conclusion Serratia ESI responds favourably to medical therapy and seldom progresses to tunnel tract infection or peritonitis. Serratia peritonitis is associated with considerable risk of catheter loss and peritoneal failure.

P1217VALUE OF MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS SPECIFY ELISOPT IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF PERITONEAL DIALYSIS-ASSOCIATED TUBERCULOUS PERITONITIS PATIENTS

Abstract Background and Aims Patients with ESRD undergoing chronic dialysis are 6 to 25 times more likely to develop tuberculosis (TB) than the general population. Tuberculous peritonitis is the most common form of tuberculosis infection in peritoneal dialysis patients. However, diagnosing active TB infection can be challenging, early and rapid diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis has always been a challenge for nephrologists. M.tuberculosis antigen-specific IFN-γ production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was determined by using an in-house ELISPOT assay by Institute of Hepatology of Shenzhen Third Hospital.In this study, we evaluated diagnostic performance of an M.tuberculosis antigen-specific gamma interferon enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients with tuberculous peritonitis. Method There were nine patients (1.29%) with tuberculous peritonitis among 700 CAPD patients. M. tuberculosis accounted for 2.84 % of all peritonitis.IFN-γ response in peripheral blood and peritoneal fluid were determined in 9 patients with tuberculous peritonitis(TBP),at the same time, 13 cases diagnosed with non-tuberculous peritonitis(NTBP) were enrolled.All patients were examined for tuberculosis-specific IFN-γ ELISPOT in peripheral blood and peritoneal dialysis fluid. Results 22 patients were recruited into this study, 9 were classified with confirmed tuberculosis peritonitis, 13 patients with bacterial or fungal peritonitis were enrolled as controls during the same period, in this patients, 3 were caused by Gram positive bacteria, 3 were caused by Gram negative bacteria, 3 were caused by fungus, 4 patients were negative athogenic bacteria culture .The AUC of ROC curve was 0.927 (95%CI:0.816–1.000,P=0.001) for ELISPOT on PFMC, which was higher than that of ELISPOT on PBMC (0.825,95%CI: 0.6490–1.000,P=0.011).When the cutoff value for the diagnosis of TBP was 40.5 SFCs/2 × 105 for ELISPOT on PBMC, with a sensitivity of 55.6%, a specificity of 92.3%,a diagnostic efficiency of 77.3%,The positive predictive value was83.3%, with negative predictive value of 75%,positive likelihood ratio of 7.2, and negative likelihood ratio of 0.48.The sensitivity, specificity,diagnostic efficiency,PPV, NPV, LR+, and LR- of the ELISPOT assay for the diagnosis of active TBP when performed on the PFMC were 77.8%, 84.6%, 81.8%, 77.8%, 84.6%, 5.05 and 0.26, respectively.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves were used to estimate the diagnostic values of Elispot on PFMC and PBMC in 22 patients with confirmed TBP or NTBP. Conclusion IFN-γ release test can be used for early diagnosis of CAPD-related TBP; compared with peripheral blood, peritoneal dialysate may be a more effective and accurate way to diagnose CAPD complicated with tuberculous peritonitis.

Association of Helicobacter pylori specific IgG antibody with serum magnesium levels in peritoneal dialysis patients

Introduction: Few studies have reported the relationship between serum magnesium and Helicobacter pylori infection in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and patients receiving dialysis. Objectives: In this study, we aimed to test, the relationship between serum magnesium (Mg) level and H. pylori infection in CKD patients receiving peritoneal dialysis. Patients and methods: Around 40 patients were evaluated through the study. Serum magnesium levels and H. pylori specific IgG antibody levels were assessed. Results: The mean serum magnesium level was 3.00 ± 0.36 mg/dL. No significant difference was seen in serum Mg level between positive and negative groups of H. pylori. No correlations were reported between H. pylori IgG titers with age, serum Mg, Ca, P, parathyroid hormone (PTH), vitamin D, albumin, urea, creatinine (Cr) and plasma hemoglobin (P>0.05). Conclusion: In this study no correlation between serum magnesium levels and H. pylori specific IgG antibody was detected. We believe that this is the first study evaluating the relationship between serum magnesium level and H. pylori infection in peritoneal dialysis patients. More and larger clinical investigations are required to consider the conflicting results of studies regarding the association of serum magnesium and H. pylori in patients undergoing dialysis.

Subcutaneous gentamicin injection around the cuff in treatment of resistant exit site infection in peritoneal dialysis patients: a pilot study.

Background/purposeOne of the most common complications of the peritoneal dialysis (PD) is the infection of the exit site of the peritoneal catheter. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of the subcutaneous gentamicin injection around the cuff as a part of routine treatment of the resistant exit site infection (ESI).MethodsIf the exit site remains infected after a 2-week systemic antibiotics treatment, it is defined as resistant ESI. In these cases, systemic antibiotics were discontinued and a subcutaneous 40-mg gentamicin injection was administered around the external cuff of the PD catheter every 3 days. A total of three or four injections were given to each patient.ResultsA subcutaneous gentamicin injection was administered around the cuff in thirteen patients for the treatment of resistant ESI over a 2-year period. The median follow-up time in cured patients was 12 months. Eleven of the thirteen patients had been apparently cured of their resistant ESI, with no recurrence. None of the patients had a gentamicin-resistant species. Subcutaneous gentamicin-related adverse effect was not observed in any patient.ConclusionSubcutaneous gentamicin injection around the cuff is a well-tolerated and effective strategy for treating resistant ESI. To gain widespread approval of this therapy and reach a consensus about ESI management, additional studies are needed.

Oral Yeast Colonization and Fungal Infections in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Pilot Study.

Peritonitis and exit-site infections are important complications in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients that are occasionally caused by opportunistic fungi inhabiting distant body sites. In this study, the oral yeast colonization of PD patients and the antifungal susceptibility profile of the isolated yeasts were accessed and correlated with fungal infection episodes in the following 4 years. Saliva yeast colonization was accessed in 21 PD patients and 27 healthy controls by growth in CHROMagar-Candida® and 18S rRNA/ITS sequencing. PD patients presented a lower oral yeast prevalence when compared to controls, namely, Candida albicans. Other species were also isolated, Candida glabrata and Candida carpophila. The antifungal susceptibility profiles of these isolates revealed resistance to itraconazole, variable susceptibility to caspofungin, and higher MIC values of posaconazole compared to previous reports. The 4-year longitudinal evaluation of these patients revealed Candida parapsilosis and Candida zeylanoides as PD-related exit-site infectious agents, but no correlation was found with oral yeast colonization. This pilot study suggests that oral yeast colonization may represent a limited risk for fungal infection development in PD patients. Oral yeast isolates presented a variable antifungal susceptibility profile, which may suggest resistance to some second-line drugs, highlighting the importance of antifungal susceptibility assessment in the clinical practice.

Computed tomography for the management ofexit-site and tunnel infections in peritoneal dialysis patients .

To evaluate the effectiveness of computed tomography (CT) for detection of exit-site and tunnel infections with a Tenckhoff catheter. The study enrolled patients with exit-site or tunnel infections who underwent ultrasonography (US), CT scans, and subsequent catheter removal or partial catheter reimplantation from 2010 to 2014. Control cases on peritoneal dialysis who underwent abdominal CT scans for other reasons were randomly selected. Attenuation of the soft tissue around the Tenckhoff catheter was measured in Hounsfield units (HU). 9 infected cases and 15 control cases were identified. CT showed increased attenuation around the catheter in all cases, while ultrasonography detected a hypoechoic area only in one case with abscess formation. Maximal attenuation of the inflamed soft tissue was high (median, 36 HU) compared with normal fatty tissue (median, -75 HU). In all cases, one or two sites with increased fat density were observed focally along the catheter, and these areas did not always extend directly from the exit site. In this retrospective study comprising a small number of cases, increased attenuation of fatty tissue around the Tenckhoff catheter correlated with exit-site or tunnel infections. CT might be an auxiliary tool for diagnosis, although CT costs much more than US and is not always available in general practice. Further prospective studies are needed. .

Tumor necrosis factor α is a risk factor for infection in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background/Aims:It has been shown that circulating tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is elevated in end stage renal disease patients; however, the relationship between TNF-α and the development of infection in these patients is unknown. In this study, we investigated the association of plasma TNF-α and interleukin 6 (IL-6) with infection in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. We also evaluated the association of their plasma levels with the production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and with various clinical parameters.Methods:We enrolled 32 patients on maintenance PD and 10 healthy controls. Plasma and PBMC were isolated from blood. PBMC were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide in vitro.Results:Mean follow-up duration was 775 days. Six patients developed organ infections (five pneumonia and one liver abscess), and six patients developed PD peritonitis and eight developed exit site infection. Plasma TNF-α and IL-6 levels were significantly elevated in organ infections but not in peritonitis or in exit site infection. Plasma TNF-α was the only significant risk factor for organ infections and pneumonia in multivariate regression analysis. Patients with high plasma TNF-α levels showed a significantly greater cumulative hazard rate for organ infections compared to those with low TNF-α levels. Plasma TNF-α levels correlated with TNF-α production by PBMC and showed an inverse association with Kt/V.Conclusions:This is the first study showing that plasma TNF-α is a significant risk factor for infection in PD patients.