Streptococcus viridans-associated peritonitis after gastroscopy

Transient bacteremia during and after endoscopic procedures is a well-documented phenomenon. Streptococcus viridans peritonitis is frequently associated with peritoneal dialysis, and the infection is probably attributable to hematogenous spread, dental procedures, or transluminal contamination with oral flora. To our knowledge, no reports exist of peritonitis occurring after gastroscopy in peritoneal dialysis patients. Here, we report the case of a 69-year-old male patient receiving automated peritoneal dialysis who required emergency gastroscopy and sclerotherapy plus heat-probe coagulation to control active bleeding from a duodenal ulcer The next day, this patient developed nausea and abdominal pain. The diagnosis of peritonitis was made based on a cloudy peritoneal effluent and a leukocyte count of 11,500 cells/microL with 98% neutrophils. S. viridans was identified in the peritoneal fluid culture. The patient received ceftazidime for 14 days, followed by clarithromycin for 7 days, and he recovered successfully. Patients receiving peritoneal dialysis who undergo esophagogastroduodenal endoscopy are at risk to develop peritonitis, and so antibiotic prophylaxis is desirable.