Fluconazole treatment of candida peritonitis with delayed removal of the peritoneal dialysis catheter

Abstract

Candida peritonitis was treated with fluconazole in ten continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients without immediate removal of the peritoneal catheter. Shortly prior to diagnosis, six patients (60%) had received broad-spectrum antibiotics. Gram stain of peritoneal fluid detected yeast in 70% of cases. In eight patients the peritoneal dialysis catheter was removed within one week of diagnosis because of clinical deterioration. In the majority of cases (90%), candida peritonitis resolved only after catheter removal in spite of ongoing fluconazole therapy. Fluconazole was well tolerated by all patients.