Does antifungal prophylaxis with daily oral fluconazole reduce the risk of fungal peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients? The Pan Thames Renal Audit

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Fungal peritonitis increases the risk of transfer to haemodialysis and mortality.

METHODS

We audited the effect of co-prescription of daily oral fluconazole with antibiotics in the Pan Thames centres on fungal peritonitis.

RESULTS

We found 49 (1.5%) fungal peritonitis cases in 3,322 episodes of peritonitis. Two centres co-prescribed prophylactic fluconazole with antibiotics, with a fungal peritonitis rate of 0.0032/patient year, compared to 0.0099 from centres not using prophylaxis. However, centres using fungal prophylaxis had lower peritonitis rates of 0.036, compared to 0.05 for the other centres. Correcting for background peritonitis rates, there was no significant difference in the incidence of fungal peritonitis.

CONCLUSIONS

In centres with a low incidence of fungal peritonitis, additional co-prescription of fluconazole with antibiotics appeared to reduce the risk of fungal peritonitis. However, variation in practice between centres is the main determinant of the observed incidence of fungal peritonitis rather than the use of antifungal prophylaxis.

Fungal peritonitis among the peritoneal dialysis patients of four Turkish centres

This study evaluates the clinical findings and treatment of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients with fungal peritonitis in Istanbul from 2000 to 2010. The clinical records of 15 patients with fungal peritonitis among the total 795 patients were reviewed for the clinical and laboratory data. The mean duration of dialysis from the initiation of treatment until the development of fungal peritonitis was 41.14 months. Fungal peritonitis was the primary episode of infection in eight patients. In five other patients previous intensive antibiotherapy was documented. The isolated mircoboes were Candida albicans in six, non-C. albicans in eight and Aspergillus fumigatus in one patient. Tenckoff catheters were removed in all cases and antifungal treatment was given for a minimum of three weeks. Two patients died in the hospital due to the fungal infection whereas others were transferred to haemodialysis. This study highlights the importance of removing the catheter and initiating antifungal therapy as soon as possible in cases of fungal peritonitis because it is responsible for high morbidity and mortality.

Early Catheter Removal Improves Patient Survival in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients with Fungal Peritonitis: Results of Ninety-Four Episodes of Fungal Peritonitis at a Single Center

Background

Fungal peritonitis (FP) is an uncommon but serious complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD) and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Although previous studies have demonstrated that abdominal pain and catheter in situ are associated with mortality in FP patients, the effect of early catheter removal on mortality remains largely unexplored. In this study, therefore, we not only determine the risk factors for mortality but also investigate the effect of immediate catheter removal on mortality in PD patients with FP.

Patients and Methods

This retrospective study was conducted on 94 episodes of FP in 1926 patients that underwent PD at Yonsei University Health System from January 1992 to December 2008. Data including demographic characteristics, laboratory and clinical findings, management, and outcome were collected from medical records.

Results

Among a total of 2361 episodes of peritonitis, there were 94 episodes of FP in 92 patients, which accounted for 4.0% of all peritonitis episodes and occurred in 4.8% of patients. Mean age of patients was 52.1 years and mean duration of PD before contracting FP was 46.1 months. The presenting symptoms included turbid dialysate (93.6%), abdominal pain (84.0%), and fever (66.0%). Intestinal obstruction was complicated in 39 episodes (41.5%). 75% of FP was caused by Candida species, among which Candida albicans was the most common pathogen, accounting for 41.5% of all episodes of FP. The PD catheter was removed within 24 hours in 39 patients (41.5%), whereas catheter removal was performed between 2 and 9 days after the diagnosis of FP in 42 patients (44.7%). 27 patients (28.7%) died as a result of FP, 59 patients (62.8%) required a change to hemodialysis, and PD was resumed in 8 episodes (8.5%). In addition, the mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with delayed catheter removal (13/41, 31.7%) compared to patients with catheter removal within 24 hours (5/39, 12.8%) ( p < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that delayed catheter removal, the presence of intestinal obstruction, and higher white blood cell counts in the blood and in the PD effluent were independently associated with mortality in FP patients.

Conclusion

These results suggest that immediate catheter removal ( i.e., within 24 hours after the diagnosis of FP) is mandatory in PD patients with FP.

The impact of type of assistance on characteristics of peritonitis in elderly peritoneal dialysis patients

BACKGROUND

The elderly patients are the fastest-growing end-stage renal disease (ESRD) population in Taiwan. Assisted peritoneal dialysis (PD) has been employed to overcome the barriers to PD. The aim of this retrospective, single-center study was to describe the status of assisted PD and the impact of type of assistance on peritonitis in elderly patients in Taiwan.

METHODS

One hundred and two patients initiated PD at the age of 65 or older between 2000 and 2008; 79 episodes of peritonitis occurred during the follow-ups. The patients and episodes of peritonitis were divided into three groups based on the type of assistance: (1) self-care: patients performing dialysis independently, (2) family: patients whose dialysis was performed by family, (3) caregiver: patients whose dialysis was performed by a private caregiver. Patient characteristics and incidence, etiology and outcomes of peritonitis were compared.

RESULTS

There were 26 (25.5%), 44 (43.1%), and 32 (31.4%) patients in the self-care, family, and caregiver groups, respectively. The overall peritonitis rate was 1/33 patient-months. Patients in the caregiver group were older and had more comorbidities than the self-care group. They had a trend of higher overall peritonitis rate (1/24 patient-months, P = 0.077) and fungal peritonitis rate (P = 0.060) compared to the self-care and family groups, but this was statistically non-significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Three-fourths of elderly PD patients in the present study required assistance from family members or private caregivers. Caregiver-assisted patients were significantly older and had more comorbidities. Also, a non-significant trend of higher peritonitis incidence was observed in these patients.

Fungal peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients: successful prophylaxis with fluconazole, as demonstrated by prospective randomized control trial

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether oral administration of the antifungal fluconazole during the entire period of treatment of bacterial peritonitis (BP), exit-site infection (ESI), or tunnel infection (TI) prevents later appearance of fungal peritonitis (called secondary) in patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5 in a peritoneal dialysis (PD) program. ♢

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients treated in the PD program in RTS Ltda Sucursal Caldas, during the period 1 June 2004 to 30 October 2007 were screened. Patients that had infectious bacterial complications (BP, ESI, TI) were included in a prospective randomized trial to receive or not receive oral fluconazole (200 mg every 48 hours) throughout the time period required by the administration of therapeutic antibiotics via any route. It was evaluated whether the fungal peritonitis complication appeared within 30 - 150 days following the end of antibacterial treatment. Based on local results, the sample size necessary to obtain statistically significant results was determined to be 434 episodes of peritonitis. ♢

RESULTS

The 434 episodes of peritonitis presented between the previously specified dates and during this same period there were 174 ESI or TI, of which only 52 received oral antibiotic treatment. Information in relation to consumption of antibiotics for purposes other than BP, ESI, and TI was not reliable and thus this variable was excluded. Among the episodes of peritonitis, 402 (92.6%) were of bacterial origin and 32 (7.3%) were mycotic, mainly Candida species [30 (93.75%)]. Of the fungal peritonitis, 14 (43.73%) were primary (without prior use of antibiotics) and 18 (56.25%) were secondary. In the group of patients that received prophylaxis with fluconazole (210 for BP and 26 for ESI or TI), only 3 occurrences of fungal peritonitis were observed within 30 - 150 days of its administration, which is opposite to the group without prophylaxis (210 for BP and 26 for ESI or TI), in which 15 occurrences of fungal peritonitis were detected. Statistical analysis of the group of patients with BP found comparisons of the proportions of those receiving fluconazole (0.92%) or not (6.45%) presented a highly significant difference in favor of prophylaxis (p = 0.0051, Z = 2.8021). Given that only 1 patient in each group with ESI or TI, with or without prophylaxis, presented the complication fungal peritonitis, it was concluded that this result was not statistically significant. During laparoscopic surgery attempting reintroduction of the peritoneal catheter, it was found that 11 patients had severe adhesions or peritoneal fibrosis leading to obliteration of the peritoneal cavity. In 19 patients, reintroduction of the catheter was possible and the patients returned to PD without consequence. ♢

CONCLUSION

In patients with bacterial peritonitis, administration of prophylactic oral fluconazole throughout the time they received antibiotics significantly prevented the appearance of secondary fungal peritonitis.

A case of rare, fungal peritonitis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum in a patient on CAPD

BACKGROUND

A 62-year-old man with a history of end-stage renal disease secondary to hypertension who was on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), presented to a peritoneal dialysis clinic with subacute onset of abdominal pain, mainly in the epigastric region.

INVESTIGATIONS

Full medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, cultures of peritoneal dialysis fluid, radiography, ultrasonography and CT scanning of the abdomen and pelvis.

DIAGNOSIS

Isolated fungal peritonitis caused by infection with Histoplasma capsulatum.

MANAGEMENT

Removal of the peritoneal dialysis catheter, treatment with itraconazole for 6 months.

Colonization of peritoneal catheter with a thermophilic fungus, Thermoascus crustaceus: a case report

Thermoascus crustaceus is a thermophilic fungus and the teleomorph form of Paecilomyces crustaceus. Thermoascus spp. have been rarely isolated from human mycoses as etiological fungal agents. We believe that our patient is the first case of catheter colonization with Thermoascus crustaceus. In a 50-year-old male patient undergoing chronic peritoneal dialysis, the mold was isolated from three separate, consecutive dialysate fluid specimens and peritoneal catheter tip. The patient had slight clinical findings and he was treated by early catheter removal without antifungal treatment. Therefore this case was considered as the colonization of the peritoneal catheter rather than peritonitis. Consequently, we think that the human pathogen fungal spectrum will continue to enlarge.

Neosartorya hiratsukae peritonitis through continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Fungal peritonitis is a rare, potentially lethal, complication of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). We report what we believe to be the first confirmed Neosartorya hiratsukae CAPD-related peritonitis case in Europe. The patient died, despite early removal of the peritoneal catheter and antifungal therapy. This report highlights the impact of emerging fungal pathogens and the importance of early diagnosis on the outcome in CAPD-related fungal peritonitis.

Mupirocin for preventing exit-site infection and peritonitis in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis

OBJECTIVES

Recently, there have been increasing concerns about the emergence of mupirocin resistance and increased infections due to lowered inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus. We conducted this systemic analysis to find out whether the application of mupirocin was effective for the prevention of exit-site infection (ESI) and peritonitis in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD).

METHODS

Recruited studies met the following criteria: they were randomized controlled trials or historical cohort studies; subjects consisted of adults (age, >or= 18 years) undergoing PD; mupirocin treatment was administered to the therapy group and placebo or no treatment was administered to the control group. The primary extracted data were the difference in the episodes of ESI and peritonitis S. aureus or other organisms among treatment and control groups. Results. Fourteen studies described in 13 articles and a total of 1,233 patients versus 1,217 controls were included in the analysis. Of the 13 articles, 6 were newly published articles that had not been analysed previously and 3 were randomized controlled trials. The application of mupirocin decreased the risk by 72% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.60-0.81] in ESI and by 70% (95% CI 0.52-0.81) in peritonitis due to S. aureus among all patients undergoing PD. Treatment of mupirocin reduced the risks of ESI and peritonitis due to all organisms by 57% (95% CI: 0.46-0.66) and 41% (95% CI: 0.24-0.54), respectively. Based on the six newly published articles, the reduced risk rate for mupirocin therapy was found to be 80% (95% CI: 0.39-0.93, P = 0.004) in ESI and 91% (95% CI: 0.72-0.97, P < 0.0001) in peritonitis due to S. aureus; 70% (95% CI: 0.47-0.82, P < 0.0001) in ESI and 42% (95% CI: 0.25-0.55, P < 0.0001) in peritonitis due to all organisms among mupirocin-treated and -untreated subjects. Based on the three randomized controlled trials, ESI and peritonitis due to S. aureus were found to be reduced by 73% (95% CI: 0.63-0.80, P < 0.0001) and 40% (95% CI: 0.17-0.56, P = 0.002), respectively. Interestingly, although mupirocin treatment can reduce the risk rate of ESI by 46% (95% CI: 0.35-0.55, P < 0.00001), it cannot decrease the risk rate of peritonitis due to all organisms (P = 0.56).

CONCLUSIONS

Mupirocin prophylaxis was effective on preventing ESI and peritonitis due to S. aureus and other organisms in PD patients.

Evolving role of early antifungals in the adult intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

Invasive candidiasis (IC) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. This, in conjunction with difficulties in diagnosis, underscores the need for novel treatment strategies based on the identification of significant risk factors for IC.

OBJECTIVE

To review the evidence surrounding the use of early antifungals in critically ill adult patients and to present concise and specific recommendations for different early treatment strategies for IC.

DATA SOURCES AND DATA EXTRACTION

Pubmed search from 1966 to July 2008 using the search terms "antifungals, critical care, prophylaxis, preemptive therapy, and empiric therapy." Examined all relevant peer-reviewed original articles, meta-analyses, guidelines, consensus statements, and review articles.

CONCLUSION

The use of early antifungal therapy should be reserved for patients with a high risk (10% to 15%) of developing IC. Despite a large number of articles published on this topic, there is no single predictive rule that can adequately forecast IC in critically ill patients. Until further prospective validation of existing data is completed, clinicians should assess patients on a case-by-case basis and determine the need for early antifungal treatment strategies based on frequent evaluations of risk factors and clinical status.

Paecilomyces lilacinus peritonitis complicating peritoneal dialysis cured by oral voriconazole and terbinafine combination therapy

Fungal peritonitis (FP) is a serious complication in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). We report a case of CAPD-related FP caused by Paecilomyces lilacinus in a 15-year-old uraemic boy. The infection was successfully treated by combination therapy consisting of oral voriconazole and terbinafine, which has not been previously reported in the treatment of FP.

Peritonitis due to Blastobotrys proliferans in a patient undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Blastobotrys proliferans is an ascomycetous yeast never previously reported as a human pathogen. Here we report a case of peritonitis due to Blastobotrys proliferans in a 46-year-old man undergoing peritoneal dialysis.

Prevention of infectious complications in peritoneal dialysis: best demonstrated practices

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) related infections continue to be a serious complication for PD patients. Peritonitis can be associated with pain, hospitalization and catheter loss as well as a risk of death. Peritonitis risk is not evenly spread across the PD population or programs. Very low rates of peritonitis in a program are possible if close attention is paid to the causes of peritonitis and protocols implemented to reduce the risk of infection. Protocols to decrease infection risk in PD patients include proper catheter placement, exit-site care that includes Staphylococcus aureus prophylaxis, careful training of patients with periodic retraining, treatment of contamination, and prevention of procedure-related and fungal peritonitis. Extensive data have been published on the use of antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent exit site infections. There are fewer data on training methods of patients to prevent infection risk. Quality improvement programs with continuous monitoring of infections, both of the catheter exit site and peritonitis, are important to decrease the PD related infections in PD programs. Continuous review of every episode of infection to determine the root cause of the event should be routine in PD programs. Further research is needed examining approaches to decrease infection risk.

Fungal peritonitis in children on peritoneal dialysis

Fungal peritonitis is a rare but serious complication in children on peritoneal dialysis (PD). In this study, risk factors were evaluated, and therapeutic measures were reviewed. A retrospective, multi-centre study was performed in 159 Dutch paediatric PD patients, between 1980 and 2005 (3,573 months). All peritonitis episodes were reviewed. Fungal peritonitis episodes were evaluated based on possible risk factors and treatment strategy. A total of 321 episodes of peritonitis occurred, with 9 cases of fungal peritonitis (2.9%). Candida peritonitis occurred most frequently (78%). Seven patients (78%) had used antibiotics in the prior month. Fungal peritonitis patients had a higher previous bacterial peritonitis rate compared to the total study population (0.13 versus 0.09 episodes/patient*month), with twice as many gram negative organisms. In all fungal peritonitis patients, the PD catheter was removed. In four patients restart on PD was possible. Fungal peritonitis is a rare complication of PD in children, but is associated with high technique failure. The most important risk factors are a high bacterial peritonitis rate, prior use of antibiotics, and previous bacterial peritonitis with gram negative organisms. The PD catheter should be removed early, but in children, peritoneal lavage with fluconazole before removal may be useful to prevent technique failure.