The pathogen spectrum and resistance in patients with peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis: A single-center,...

Peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis (PDAP) is one of the major causes of peritoneal dialysis (PD) failure and death. Therefore, it is important to determine how to effectively treat patients with PDAP.

We analyzed the pathogen spectrum and bacterial resistance in 203 PDAP cases that were enrolled in this study from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017. All patients were infected with peritonitis and had been treated with antibiotics while at our center. Bacterial culture results of PD fluid and pathogen drug resistance were collected and analyzed. A total of 159 cases (78.3%) had a positive bacterial culture of PD fluid.

A total of 47 pathogens were identified, including 19 (40.4%) Gram-positive cocci strains (the most common was Staphylococcus spp.), 15 (31.9%) Gram-negative bacilli strains (the most common was Escherichia coli, 4 fungal strains, and 9 other strains. The drug sensitivity test showed that Gram-positive cocci were sensitive to vancomycin (94.9%), but had a high resistance to cefazolin (67.7%). Gram-negative bacilli were sensitive to imipenem (96.2%), but had a high resistance to ceftriaxone (60.0%). Voriconazole and itraconazole were sensitive in fungal infections. A total of 162 cases were cured, 37 cases were unresponsive to antibiotic treatment and converted to hemodialysis after Tenckhoff catheter removal, and 4 cases resulted in death.

Gram-positive cocci are still the primary pathogen of PDAP cases in our center, but demonstrate a high resistance to first-generation cephalosporin, which is the suggested treatment per International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis 2016 Peritonitis Recommendations. Therefore, an individualized treatment based on the distribution of pathogens and drug resistance in different centers is more conducive to improve the cure rate of PDAP.