Mycobacterium chelonae peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis. Literature review

Peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis with encapsulated ascites due to Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. massilience and subsp. bolletii: a case series and literature review

Background

As there is no established standard of care for non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis, its treatments have to be case-dependent, which is often difficult. Additionally, several reported cases were accompanied by encapsulated ascites, adhesive ileus, and encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis, suggesting treatment difficulties. We report two cases of PD-related peritonitis with encapsulated ascites due to Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. massilience and subsp. bolletii. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case series to report PD-related peritonitis caused by Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. bolletii.

Case presentation

The first case is that of a 74-year-old male patient who started PD six years ago for end-stage renal failure due to diabetic nephropathy. In February 2021, he presented with signs of infection at the exit-site and swelling of the tunnel. Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. massilience was detected in the culture of the exit-site exudate; thus, he was diagnosed with tunnel infection (caused by NTM). Subsequently, fever, abdominal pain, and increased cell counts in the PD drainage fluid were observed, and he was judged to have NTM peritonitis. His general condition improved after PD catheter removal in addition to antimicrobial treatment and encapsulated ascites drainage. The second case is that of a 52-year-old man who commenced PD for end-stage renal failure due to nephrosclerosis 12 years ago. In May 2022, he was diagnosed with PD-related peritonitis based on signs of infection at the exit-site, encapsulated ascites on computed tomography, and a cloudy PD drainage fluid. Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. bolletii was detected in the culture of the exit-site exudate, which led to the diagnosis of NTM peritonitis. In addition to antimicrobial treatment, PD catheter removal and encapsulated ascites drainage were performed. The patient also had adhesive bowel obstruction due to peritonitis and required decompression therapy with the insertion of a gastric tube.

Conclusions

PD catheter removal and encapsulated ascites drainage might have improved inflammation and treatment outcomes. Additionally, Mycobacterium abscessus might be prone to forming encapsulated cavities and/or intestinal adhesions; however, further accumulation of cases clarifying “subspecies” of Mycobacterium abscessus is necessary to confirm this hypothesis.

Comparison of hospitalization cause and risk factors between patients undergoing hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis

This retrospective study was designed to compare the cause of hospitalization and influencing factors between patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD). Baseline data and laboratory parameters of 192 dialysis patients (92 HD patients and 100 PD patients) were compared. Quantitative parameters with normal distribution were assessed using independent t-test or analysis of variance (ANOVA). Quantitative parameters with non-normal distribution were assessed by non-parametric test. Qualitative data were statistically compared using χ2 test. The number of patients with urban employee medical insurance (88 HD patients and 60 PD patients) and rural cooperative medical care (12 HD patients and 40 PD patients) significantly differed (P < .01). The hospitalization rate of PD patients was significantly higher than that of HD counterparts. The average length of hospital stay of PD patients was 10 days, remarkably longer than 8 days of HD patients (P < .01). The primary cause of hospitalization for HD patients was infection-related complications, followed by cardiovascular, cerebrovascular complications and dialysis access disorders. The primary cause of hospitalization for PD patients was infection-related complications, followed by dialysis access disorders, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal complications. Compared with the HD group, the levels of hemoglobin, serum albumin, alkaline phosphatase, intact parathyroid hormone were significantly decreased, whereas serum urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, phosphorus levels and cardiothoracic ratio were remarkably increased in the PD group (all P < .01). The hospitalization rate of PD patients is relatively higher, and the length of hospital stay is longer. Extensive attention and efforts should be delivered to enhance the understanding of disease and lower the risk of complications for patients.

Clinical course of peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis due to non-tuberculosis mycobacterium - A single centre experience spanning 20 years

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are difficult to diagnose, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and clinical course remains unclear. We determined the prevalence and clinical course of peritonitis caused by these organisms through our kidney registry over 20-year period.

METHOD

We reviewed all patients with NTM peritonitis identified in our tertiary centre between July 2000 and July 2020. The demographic characteristics, microbiological and clinical outcomes were examined.

RESULT

Among 27 patients identified, 20 patients presented with abdominal pain and all had cloudy peritoneal fluid. Twenty-one cases had concomitant exit site infection and 14 cases had prior antibiotic use. The majority of the cases are caused by Mycobacterium chelonae (37%) and Mycobacterium fortuitum (29.7%), with most being resistant to fluoroquinolones (59.3%) and cefoxitin (73.1%). They are all sensitive to amikacin otherwise. None of the cases achieve primary response at day 10 and 20 cases resulted in Tenckhoff catheter removal. Only two of them were able to resume PD. Eight patients died in our cohort. The presence of exit site infection, the use of prior antibiotics and topical disinfectants did not associate with a poorer outcome.

CONCLUSION

NTM peritonitis remains difficult to treat and often with a delay in diagnosis. Refractory peritonitis with negative culture and a poor response to standard antibiotics should raise a possibility of NTM infection and prompt catheter removal and an expert with experience treating NTM infections should be consulted.

Peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis caused by Mycobacteroides massiliense: the first case and review of the literature

Background

Peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis caused by nontuberculous Mycobacterium is rare; however, the number of cases has increased over the past decades. Mycobacteroides massiliense is a subspecies of the Mycobacteroides abscessus complex. It has different clinical characteristics compared to the other subspecies of the complex. Previous case reports of PD-associated peritonitis caused by Mycobacteroides abscessus complex have not distinguished the subspecies in detail.

Case presentation

A 40-year-old man presented with an exit-site and tunnel infection refractory to antibiotic therapy. Peritonitis occurred after simultaneous catheter removal and reinsertion. The Mycobacteroides abscessus complex was detected in the culture of the dialysis effluent. Removal of the PD catheter combined with antibiotics, including macrolides, resulted in a good clinical course. Further analysis of multiplex PCR and the hsp65 gene sequence identified the bacterium as Mycobacteroides massiliense.

Conclusions

The Mycobacteroides abscessus complex is classified into three subspecies; Mycobacteroides abscessus, Mycobacteroides massiliense, and Mycobacteroides bolletii. These have different characteristics, particularly antibiotic susceptibility. Therefore, clear identification of the subspecies of the Mycobacteroides abscessus complex is necessary for definitive treatment.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria infections of peritoneal dialysis patients: A multicenter study

OBJECTIVES

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections pose a diagnostic challenge in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. In this study, we sought to identify findings that are suggestive of NTM infection in PD adult patients.

METHODS

All patients with NTM exit-site infection (ESI) with/without tunnel infection and peritonitis identified during the last decade in eight medical centers in Israel were included. Clinical, microbiological, and outcome data were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

Thirty patients were identified; 16 had ESI (53%) and 14 had peritonitis (47%). Median age was 65 years (interquartile range 52-76). Abdominal pain and cloudy PD fluid were reported in all patients with peritonitis, whereas exit-site discharge and granulation tissue were common in patients with ESI. Fourteen patients (47%) had negative cultures prior NTM diagnosis, and isolation of diphtheroids or Corynebacterium spp. was reported in 9 of 30 patients (30%). Antimicrobial treatment prior to diagnosis was documented in 13 of 30 patients (43%). Delayed diagnosis was frequent. Treatment regimens and duration of therapy varied widely. In 26 of 30 (87%) patients, catheter was removed and 19 of 30 patients (63%) required permanent transition to hemodialysis. Two patients with peritonitis (2 of 14, 14%) and seven with ESI (7 of 16, 44%) were eligible for continuation of PD.

CONCLUSIONS

Culture negative peritonitis, isolation of diphtheroids or Corynebacterium spp., previous exposure to antibiotics, and/or a refractory infection should all prompt consideration of PD-related NTM infection and timely workup. Catheter removal is recommended aside prolonged antimicrobial therapy. In select patients with ESI, continuation of PD may be feasible.

Peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis: challenges and solutions

Peritoneal dialysis is an effective treatment modality for patients with end-stage renal disease. The relative use of peritoneal dialysis versus hemodialysis varies widely by country. Data from a 2004 survey reports the percentage of patients with end-stage renal disease treated with peritoneal dialysis to be 5%-10% in economically developed regions like the US and Western Europe to as much as 75% in Mexico. This disparity is probably related to the availability and access to hemodialysis, or in some cases patient preference for peritoneal over hemodialysis. Peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis remains the major complication and primary challenge to the long-term success of peritoneal dialysis. Fifty years ago, with the advent of the Tenckhoff catheter, patients averaged six episodes of peritonitis per year on peritoneal dialysis. In 2016, the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis proposed a benchmark of 0.5 episodes of peritonitis per year or one episode every 2 years. Despite the marked reduction in peritonitis over time, peritonitis for the individual patient is problematic. The mortality for an episode of peritonitis is 5% and is a cofactor for mortality in another 16% of affected patients. Prevention of peritonitis and prompt and appropriate management of peritonitis is essential for the long-term success of peritoneal dialysis in all patients. In this review, challenges and solutions are addressed regarding the pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis from the viewpoint of an infectious disease physician.

Exit Site Infection due to Mycobacterium chelonae in an Elderly Patient on Peritoneal Dialysis

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are rarely isolated from peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated catheter infections. However, NTM infection is usually difficult to treat and leads to catheter loss. Prompt diagnosis is essential for appropriate treatment. A 70-year-old Japanese man who had been on PD for 2 years and with a medical history of 2 episodes of exit site infections (ESIs) due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was admitted to the hospital due to suspected ESI recurrence. However, Gram staining of the pus revealed no gram-positive cocci. Instead, weakly stained gram-positive rods were observed after 7 days of incubation, which were also positive for acid-fast staining. Rapidly growing NTM Mycobacterium chelonae was isolated on day 14. Despite administering a combination antibiotic therapy, ESI could not be controlled, and catheter removal surgery was performed on day 21. Although PD was discontinued temporarily, the patient did not require hemodialysis, without any uremic symptoms. The catheter was reinserted on day 48, and PD was reinitiated on day 61. The patient was discharged on day 65. Antibiotic therapy was continued for 3 months after discharge, with no indications of recurrent infections observed. It is important to consider the risk of NTM infections in patients on PD. Acid-fast staining could be a key test for prompt diagnosis and provision of an appropriate treatment.

Disinfection of the peritoneal dialysis bag medication port: Comparison of disinfectant agent and disinfection time

AIM

The aim of the present study was to compare different disinfection techniques for the peritoneal dialysis bag medication port (MP).

METHODS

An experimental study was conducted testing different cleaning agents (70% alcohol vs 2% chlorhexidine) and time periods (5, 10 and 60 s) for disinfection of the MP. Five microorganisms (S. aureus, E. coli, A. baumannii and C. parapsilosis, CNS) were prepared for use as contaminants of the MP. MP were incubated in Tryptic soy broth at 36°C for 24 h, after which, they were seeded on a Biomérieux blood agar plate and incubated for 24 h at 36°C.

RESULTS

Three hundred peritoneal dialysis bags were analyzed regarding the time expose to the disinfectant showed a statistically significant difference in the number of culture positive (7/100) P = 0.001; Gram positive (6/100) P = 0.006 for 5 s, one positive culture and turbid bag with 10 s, while friction for 60 s showed all negative results. The comparison between disinfectant, alcohol or chlorhexidine, 150 bag in each group, showed that the ones disinfected with alcohol had five turbid bags, eight positive cultures and seven germs identified, while all bags disinfected with chlorhexidine were negative for all parameters, with a difference statistically significant (P = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that the MP should be scrubbed with 2% chlorhexidine for at least 5 s; if alcohol 70% is used the length of friction should not be inferior to 10 s.