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Published on: July 19, 2018
Noninfectious causes of cloudy peritoneal dialysate
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver 80262, USA.
Abstract:
The appearance of cloudy dialysate fluid in combination with the clinical manifestations of peritonitis usually heralds infectious peritonitis. Diagnosis is readily established in most cases by routine culture of the turbid dialysate. However, an occasional patient presents with culture-negative, cloudy dialysate. After ruling out atypical infectious etiologies, a diverse set of aseptic causes remains in the differential diagnosis. Herein we review these causes and suggest an organizational scheme, based on identifying the cellular or noncellular constituent producing the dialysate turbidity, to facilitate appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
Insights
Cloudy dialysate fluid with peritonitis symptoms often indicates infection. However, some cases are culture-negative, requiring investigation into aseptic causes for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Cloudy dialysate fluid and peritonitis symptoms typically suggest infectious peritonitis.
- Diagnosis is usually confirmed by culturing the dialysate fluid.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diverse aseptic causes of culture-negative cloudy dialysate.
- To propose an organizational scheme for diagnosing these cases.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on culture-negative cloudy dialysate.
- Development of a diagnostic framework based on dialysate constituents.
Main Results:
- Infectious peritonitis is the common cause of cloudy dialysate.
- A significant subset of patients present with culture-negative cloudy dialysate.
- Aseptic etiologies must be considered in culture-negative cases.
Conclusions:
- Culture-negative cloudy dialysate necessitates exploring non-infectious causes.
- Classifying turbidity by cellular or noncellular components aids diagnosis.
- A structured approach improves diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic management for peritonitis.
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