Peritoneal Dialysis Zoonotic Bacterial Peritonitis with Staphylococcus pseudintermedius

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology
• Nephrology

Background:

• Peritonitis is a serious complication of peritoneal dialysis.
• Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is a bacterium commonly found in domesticated animals.
• This organism has been increasingly implicated in human infections.

Observation:

• A patient undergoing peritoneal dialysis developed peritonitis.
• The causative agent was identified as Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, previously misclassified as Staphylococcus aureus.
• The patient had close contact with a pet dog.

Findings:

• Staphylococcus pseudintermedius exhibits a distinct antibiotic sensitivity profile compared to Staphylococcus aureus.
• The patient received intravenous antibiotics followed by oral doxycycline.
• Successful treatment was achieved with no recurrence of infection.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of considering Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in peritonitis cases, especially in patients with animal contact.
• Emphasizes the need for accurate identification of bacterial species due to differing antibiotic sensitivities.
• Underscores the role of patient education on hygiene and infection control measures in peritoneal dialysis.