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Published on: July 19, 2018
Fatal peritonitis due to group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus in a patient receiving chronic ambulatory peritoneal
S I Borra1, J Chandarana, M Kleinfeld
1Department of Medicine, Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY.
Abstract:
Peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients is rarely caused by group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus species. We describe a 52-year-old man with chronic glomerulonephritis who developed a fatal peritonitis due to streptococcus group B in the absence of predisposing factors such as diabetes mellitus, malignancy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, or liver disease. This report suggests that although beta-hemolytic streptococcus is a rare cause of peritonitis, the severity of the infection may be overwhelming and may rapidly lead to serious consequences and death.
Insights
Group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus rarely causes peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. This rare infection can be severe and rapidly fatal, even without typical risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Peritonitis is a serious complication in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).
- Group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus is an uncommon pathogen causing CAPD peritonitis.
Observation:
- A 52-year-old male patient with chronic glomerulonephritis developed peritonitis.
- The patient had no common predisposing factors for severe infections, including diabetes, malignancy, HIV, or liver disease.
Findings:
- The peritonitis was caused by group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus.
- Despite the rarity of this pathogen, the infection proved rapidly fatal.
Implications:
- This case highlights that group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus, though rare, can cause overwhelming and fatal peritonitis in CAPD patients.
- Clinicians should consider this pathogen in CAPD peritonitis, even in the absence of typical risk factors.
- Prompt recognition and management are crucial due to the potential for rapid deterioration.
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