Related Experiment Videos
An outbreak of Candida tropicalis peritonitis in patients on intermittent peritoneal dialysis
Abstract:
An outbreak of Candida tropicalis peritonitis in intermittent peritoneal dialysis patients during a 6-week period is reported from a general hospital. Five patients were involved and there were three deaths. The strains recovered from affected patients were identical to those recovered from the water baths on the basis of biotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and chromosomal DNA fingerprints. No further cases were identified on subsequent surveillance after the prohibition of wet-warming of peritoneal dialysate in the hospital.
Insights
A Candida tropicalis peritonitis outbreak occurred in peritoneal dialysis patients, leading to three deaths. The source was traced to contaminated water baths used for dialysate warming, and cases ceased after the practice was stopped.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Nephrology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Peritonitis is a serious complication in peritoneal dialysis patients.
- Candida tropicalis is an opportunistic fungal pathogen.
- Contaminated dialysis equipment can lead to outbreaks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report an outbreak of Candida tropicalis peritonitis.
- To identify the source of the peritonitis outbreak.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of intervention measures.
Main Methods:
- Epidemiological investigation of peritonitis cases.
- Microbiological analysis of patient isolates and water baths.
- Strain typing using biotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility, and DNA fingerprinting.
Main Results:
- Five cases of Candida tropicalis peritonitis were identified over six weeks.
- Three patients died as a result of the infection.
- Identical Candida tropicalis strains were found in patients and water baths.
Conclusions:
- Contaminated water baths for dialysate warming were the source of the outbreak.
- Prohibiting the wet-warming of dialysate effectively controlled the outbreak.
- Strict environmental controls are crucial in preventing dialysis-related infections.