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[Prototheca Wickerhami peritonitis in patients on peritoneal dialysis]
C Pérez Melón1, M Camba, A Tinajas
1Servicio de Nefrología, Compexo Hospitalario Ourense. eir@inicia.es
Abstract:
Prototheca spp exits throughout nature but only infrequently cause infection in humans. Most of the cases of human infection have involved the skin or subcutaneous tissues, but there have been reports of rare cases of protothecosis of the urinary tract, and disseminated disease. The species most commonly isolated is Prototheca wickerhamii. Few cases of peritonitis due to P. wickerhamii in peritoneal dialysis had been reported. We report a successful treatment of Prototheca peritonitis complicating peritoneal dialysis with amphotericin, itraconazole and removal of the catheter.
Insights
This study details a successful treatment for Prototheca peritonitis, a rare infection in peritoneal dialysis patients. The approach combined antifungal medications with catheter removal for a positive outcome.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Nephrology
Background:
- Prototheca species are ubiquitous environmental organisms.
- Human infections (protothecosis) are rare, typically affecting skin or subcutaneous tissues.
- Disseminated disease and urinary tract infections are infrequently reported.
Observation:
- Prototheca wickerhamii is the most common species causing human infections.
- Peritonitis is a rare but serious complication in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.
- Few cases of Prototheca peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients have been documented.
Findings:
- This report describes a successful treatment regimen for Prototheca peritonitis in a peritoneal dialysis patient.
- The treatment involved a combination of antifungal agents: amphotericin and itraconazole.
- Surgical removal of the peritoneal dialysis catheter was a critical component of the successful management strategy.
Implications:
- This case highlights a viable therapeutic approach for managing rare Prototheca peritonitis in immunocompromised or dialysis patients.
- Early diagnosis and combined treatment (antifungals plus catheter removal) may improve patient outcomes.
- Further research into optimal treatment strategies for invasive protothecal infections is warranted.
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