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Penicillium peritonitis in a patient receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
1Infectious Disease Division, Winthrop-University Hospital, Mineola, NY 11501, USA.
Abstract:
Infection is a common complication in patients who receive continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Fungi causing peritonitis in these patients is less common compared with bacterial peritonitis. Fungal peritonitis accounts for less than 10% of cases in chronic CAPD, which usually follows either bacterial peritonitis or earlier exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics. Most of these cases are caused by Candida albicans or other Candida species. There are only two case reports of Penicillium species peritonitis in patients with CAPD in the literature. We report the known third case of Penicillium species-related peritonitis in a patient receiving CAPD. The patient's condition improved dramatically after catheter removal.
Insights
Fungal peritonitis is a rare complication in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. This case highlights Penicillium species as a cause, with catheter removal leading to recovery.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is a common treatment for end-stage renal disease.
- Infections, particularly bacterial peritonitis, are frequent complications in CAPD patients.
- Fungal peritonitis is less common, typically occurring after bacterial peritonitis or antibiotic use, and is usually caused by Candida species.
Observation:
- This report details the third known case of Penicillium species peritonitis in a CAPD patient.
- The patient presented with peritonitis, a serious infection of the peritoneal membrane.
- Previous literature documented only two similar cases of Penicillium peritonitis in CAPD.
Findings:
- The patient's peritonitis was attributed to Penicillium species, a rare fungal pathogen in this context.
- Treatment involved medical management and surgical intervention.
- Dramatic clinical improvement was observed following the removal of the peritoneal dialysis catheter.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of fungal pathogens causing peritonitis in CAPD patients.
- It underscores the importance of considering rare fungal species in refractory or unusual peritonitis cases.
- Prompt diagnosis and management, including catheter removal, are crucial for successful outcomes in fungal peritonitis.