Clinical and microbiological characterization of Peritoneal Dialysis-Associated Peritonitis events in a hospital in Chile. A retrospective analysis

Background: Infections associated with peritoneal dialysis are one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in these patients, and adequate empirical and targeted antimicrobial therapy are essential to improve the outcome, so it is important to establish the local microbiology. Aim: To review the clinical experience of 5 years at the Carlos Van Buren Hospital in Valparaiso, Chile, in order to know the clinical and microbiological characteristics of patients with episodes of peritonitis associated with peritoneal dialysis. Methods: Retrospectively, the clinical records of those patients over 18 years of age who presented at least one peritonitis event associated with peritoneal dialysis were accessed. Results: Of a total of 26 episodes, 62% of the patients were female, with a mean age of 53 years. The main comorbidity was arterial hypertension (100%), and abdominal pain was the most frequent symptom (85%), with an overall mortality of 7.7%. In the laboratory parameters, leukocytosis, C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were the most impor-tant findings. Gram-positive cocci (54%) predominated, followed by Gram-negative non-fermenting and enterobacterial bacilli in the same proportion (11.5% each group). Isolated cases of Candida albicans and Pasteurella canis were identified, and in 15% of the cases the culture was negative. Conclusion: It was possible to know the local clinical and microbiological characteristics of this pathology, in order to redefine management guidelines for our institution.