Causative organisms and outcomes of peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis in Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching, Malaysia: a 3-year analysis

Abstract Background Peritoneal dialysis peritonitis remains a significant cause of morbidity for peritoneal dialysis patients and the main reason for conversion from peritoneal dialysis to hemodialysis. As the characteristics of patients and microbial susceptibility vary from center to center, the aim of this study is to evaluate the microbiology and the clinical outcomes among continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients in Kuching, Malaysia. Methods This is a retrospective record review of 82 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients who developed peritonitis during 2013 to 2015. Data examined included patients’ demographic data, causative organisms, and outcomes. Results A total of 124 episodes of peritonitis were recorded, and the overall peritonitis rate was 0.40 episodes per patient-year. There was an increasing incidence in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis peritonitis over the 3-year study period (0.35 to 0.47 episodes per patient-year). The gram-negative peritonitis rate increased over the period until towards the end of the study period, when gram-positive and gram-negative organisms accounted for almost equal proportions of peritonitis. Streptococcus sp. was the most common organism among the gram-positive peritonitis while Pseudomonas sp. was the most common organism in gram-negative peritonitis. The culture-negative peritonitis rate was 25.8%. The peritoneal dialysis catheter was removed in 32 episodes (26.6%). The catheter loss rate was significantly higher in gram-negative peritonitis, as compared to gram-positive peritonitis (38.9 vs 16.7%, p = 0.027). Conclusions The increasing trend of peritonitis and high rates of culture negativity and peritoneal dialysis catheter removal are areas that need further evaluation and improvement in the future. Study on risk factors of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis peritonitis, detailed microbiology, and antimicrobial treatment and response are warranted to further improve the outcomes of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients.