The microbiology of peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis — experience in a provincial centre 1986-1989

Laboratory procedures for isolating the causative microbe from infected effluent in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) are still being refined. Our recovery rate from culturing centrifuged deposits of 10mL of fluid averaged 55% for leukocytotic fluids from 1986 to 1989, a little lower than the published reports using blood culture methods. A combined use of spun deposit and blood culture broth should improve the yield without excessive cost in time and labor. Gram staining was worthwhile only for leukocytotic fluids.