The rate, risk factors, and outcome of fungal peritonitis in CAPD patients: Experience in Turkey

Abstract

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is an increasingly popular replacement therapy for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, peritonitis continues to be a frequent complication of CAPD. Pathogenic bacteria and a small number of fungi cause the majority of cases of peritonitis. In most series, about 2% – 10% of CAPD-related peritonitis episodes have a fungal etiology. About 80% – 90% of fungal peritonitis (FP) episodes are caused by yeasts of the Candida species, less frequently by a variety of other yeasts and filamentous fungi. Fungal peritonitis is often a major cause of treatment failure in patients on CAPD and carries high risk of morbidity and mortality. The risk factors that predispose to the development of FP and regimens for FP treatment are not clear. In an attempt to identify the rate and risk factors for FP, and to examine outcome in relation to treatment strategies, we reviewed our experience with FP in this multicenter study.