Pseudomonas peritonitis associated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: a six-year study

In a population of 214 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), 415 peritoneal infections occurred between 1980 and 1986. Fourteen of these infectious events were caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.4%). None of those patients with P aeruginosa peritonitis were cured by medical therapy alone. Peritoneal catheter removal was necessary to achieve resolution of the infection. Significant patient morbidity from Pseudomonas infection included loss of peritoneal space for further dialysis and abscess formation. Our data suggests that prompt catheter removal should be seriously considered for chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients who develop P aeruginosa peritonitis.