Corynebacterium equi peritonitis in a patient receiving peritoneal dialysis

Our patient represents the first reported case of peritonitis due to C equi. He had no known exposure to farm or domestic animals, and no evidence of underlying systemic immunodeficiency. After relapse, the patient was successfully treated with vancomycin, and catheter removal was not necessary. We suggest that C equi be added to the growing list of organisms not typically thought to be human pathogens that can cause peritonitis in patients receiving CAPD and recommend intraperitoneal vancomycin as primary therapy. Catheter removal may be necessary to clear the infection. Identification of the organism is important, as it may not respond to treatment with antibiotics such as cephalosporins or penicillins, which are commonly used to treat peritonitis.