Polymicrobial Peritonitis with Lactococcus lactis in a Peritoneal Dialysis Patient

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Nephrology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis) is a gram-positive bacterium commonly found in dairy products.
• L. lactis is an infrequent cause of opportunistic infections, with only four reported cases of Lactococcus peritonitis in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD).
• The first reported case of L. lactis infection in Korea was a liver abscess in 2010; however, PD peritonitis caused by this bacterium remained undocumented in the country.

Observation:

• A recent case involved a peritoneal dialysis patient in Korea who developed polymicrobial peritonitis.
• The infection was associated with Lactococcus species.
• Initial treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics proved ineffective.

Findings:

• The patient's condition did not improve with antibiotics, necessitating the removal of the PD catheter.
• The patient was subsequently transitioned to hemodialysis for renal replacement therapy.
• This case represents the first documented instance of Lactococcus-associated PD peritonitis in Korea.

Implications:

• This case expands the known spectrum of L. lactis opportunistic infections.
• It underscores the importance of considering L. lactis in the differential diagnosis of PD peritonitis, especially in polymicrobial cases.
• Further investigation into the management and treatment strategies for L. lactis peritonitis may be warranted.