The treatment of staphylococcus peritonitis in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

The aim of this prospective, randomized, open study was to survey the frequency course and to evaluate the therapy of peritonitis induced by staphylococci in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). From June 1983 to November 1986, 20 patients (9 men, 11 women) aged from 25 to 73 were treated. During 258 months of the CAPD treatment they had 54 episodes of peritonitis. Staphylococcus saprophyticus was the most frequent offender of peritonitis, isolated from peritoneal effluent in 44% of the cases, Staphylococcus epidermidis was isolated in 7% of the cases. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 5% of the cases and caused a more severe form of peritonitis. The combination of gentamicin and methicillin was used in 14 cases, in 2 cases this treatment was unsuccessful. A combination of gentamicin and cloxacillin was used in 5 cases and a combination of clindamycin and mezlocillin in 12 cases of peritonitis, giving good results in all cases. The last combination seemed to be the most effective in the treatment of staphylococcus induced peritonitis.