An animal model for fungal peritonitis: evaluation of therapeutic options

An animal model for fungal peritonitis was developed and is described. This model was used to compare various therapeutic options for Candida albicans peritonitis. Twenty-four rabbits were treated on three different protocols. Results from these protocols confirm the clinical observation that removal of the catheter is necessary for successful treatment of fungal peritonitis. Further, the combination of catheter replacement and imidazole anti-fungal therapy appears to be curative in this animal model, and suggests that by using this protocol, discontinuation of peritoneal dialysis may not be necessary.