First case of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis caused by Cryptococcus arboriformis

Peritonitis is a potentially serious complication in patients under- going continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). More than 50% of positive cultures from these infections are due to gram-positive bacteria, most commonly coagulase-negative staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus [1]. Fungal peritonitis accounts for only 3-6% of cases, in which peritoneal dialysis complications are reported [2]. Peritonitis resulting from fungal infection is associated with a longer duration of illness and greater frequencies of hospitalization, high morbidity and mortality rates ranging 20-30% [2], and permanent hemodialysis compared with cases of non-fungal peritonitis [3]. The most common cause of the disease is yeast, with Candida species accounting for 70- 90% of infections in adults [2]. We report the first case of CAPD- related peritonitis caused by Cryptococcus arboriformis , an or- ganism never previously been reported as a human pathogen and confirmed by ribosomal DNA gene sequencing. KCI Citation Count: 3