Pseudomonas exit site infections in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients

The purpose of this study is to examine the natural history of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exit site infections in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients treated with oral ciprofloxacin and local exit site care. A retrospective view was undertaken of 18 episodes of P. aeruginosa exit site infections developing in 17 patients maintained on CAPD during 1989 and 1990. Standardized therapy for the exit site infection consisted of oral ciprofloxacin (500 mg twice daily) and local exit site care with antiseptic agents. Fifteen (83%) of 18 of the pseudomonas exit site infections resolved with therapy. Three episodes (17%) required catheter removal to successfully eradicate the infection. Four of the 15 patients whose exit site infections resolved developed P. aeruginosa peritonitis 2 to 9 months after the clinical resolution of the exit site infection. The majority of pseudomonas exit site infections in CAPD patients can be successfully treated with oral ciprofloxacin and local care. Approximately 17% of the patients in this study required catheter removal to successfully eradicate the infection and an additional 22% of the patients developed pseudomonas peritonitis several months after the resolution of the exit site infection.