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Fungal peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients: effect of fluconazole treatment and use of the twin-bag disconnect system.

Fungal peritonitis is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening complication for patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. This retrospective study evaluated the efficacy of fluconazole in fungal peritonitis treatment and the incidence of fungal peritonitis in different peritoneal dialysis disconnect systems. Fungal peritonitis was caused by Candida species in 67% of episodes. The most common pathogen in this series was Candida parapsilosis (29%), followed by Candida albicans (14%). One patient (5%) died within 1 month after admission for treatment of fungal peritonitis. Only 1 patient (5%) in this series could resume peritoneal dialysis. Treatment with fluconazole alone has an effect comparable to intraperitoneal (IP) amphotericin B alone or IP amphotericin B combined with oral or intravenous fluconazole. The incidence of fungal peritonitis in patients who used the spike, Y-set, and UV antiseptic systems was 5.69, 6.20, and 2.93 times, respectively, as frequent as that of fungal peritonitis in patients who used the twin-bag disconnect system.

Adolescent↗

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition as a triggering factor of peritoneal membrane fibrosis and angiogenesis in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Peritoneal fibrosis (or sclerosis) is a complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD) and includes a wide spectrum of peritoneal structural changes, ranging from mild inflammation to severe sclerosing peritonitis and encapsulating-sclerosing peritonitis. In parallel with fibrosis, the peritoneum shows a progressive increase in capillary number (angiogenesis) and vasculopathy, which are involved in both the elevation of small solute transport across the peritoneal membrane and ultrafiltration failure. The most important substances from the PD solutions responsible for peritoneal deterioration are glucose and glucose degradation products, which stimulate transforming growth factor (TGF)beta and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production by mesothelial cells (MCs). TGFbeta is a potent pro-fibrotic factor and induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of the MC. Local production of VEGF during PD appears to play a central role in the processes leading to peritoneal neo-angiogenesis and functional decline. This review discusses the mechanisms implicated in peritoneal structural alteration and points to EMT of MC as the protagonist and initiator of peritoneal membrane injury, through an increment of the submesothelial fibroblast population. We also propose possible mechanisms of regulation and new targets for inhibition of EMT.

Epithelium↗

Successful treatment of Nocardia asteroides peritonitis in a patient undergoing automated peritoneal dialysis and receiving immunosuppressive therapy.

Nocardiosis is an opportunistic infection especially in patients with underlying chronic debilitating disease or immunodeficiency. Nocardia peritonitis is an uncommon infection in peritoneal dialysis patients. Here, we report a case of peritonitis by Nocardia asteroides during automated peritoneal dialysis in a 35-year-old male patient who had prolonged immunosuppressive therapy to treat acute rejection of a nonfunctioning kidney allograft. The patient presented at our outpatient clinic with typical symptoms of acute peritonitis. The peritoneal fluid leukocyte count was 20,500 cells/microL, with 90% neutrophils. Gram staining showed gram-positive filamentous bacilli later identified as N. asteroides. After bacterial identification, the patient received trimethoprim 320 mg and sulfamethoxazole 3200 mg intravenously every 48 hours (TMP-SMX), plus amikacin 100 mg intraperitoneally daily. The immunosuppressive therapy was reduced. Peritoneal fluid cultures became negative after 1 week of treatment, concomitant with clinical improvement. Unfortunately, after 5 weeks of therapy, the patient developed hematologic side effects attributable to the TMP-SMX treatment. The TMP-SMX was suspended at that time, and the patient then received cefuroxime 500 mg by mouth and amikacin 100 mg intraperitoneally daily for a total of 12 weeks. The patient recovered completely and was discharged 3 months after onset of the peritonitis. Prolonged antibiotic therapy without catheter removal has not been previously described in immunosuppressed patients with APD peritonitis. The combination of amikacin and TMP-SMX may be safe and effective in APD patients who develop N. asteroides peritonitis.

Adult↗

Rates of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis at the University of Missouri.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis contributes significantly to morbidity and modalityfailure. The number of patients on PD is declining in Western countries, and peritonitis is a potential deterrent to the therapy. Here, we present a clinically significant decline in the rate of peritonitis at a single center over a 28-year period, with current rates significantly lower than the national average, and we review several factors that have contributed to those outcomes. Peritonitis and duration of follow-up have been recorded for all patients followed in our program since 1977. Introduction of important technological changes into the program were also recorded. All peritonitis rates are expressed as episodes/patient-year or episodes/n patient-months. Data are summarized for each calendar year since 1977. We followed 682 patients for a total follow-up duration of 15,435 patient-months. Glass bottles were changed to plastic bags in 1978. Straight connecting tubes were replaced by Y-sets in 1988. The presternal dialysis catheter was introduced in 1991 and has been the primary PD access since 1995. The peritonitis rate in 1977 was 5.8 episodes/patient-year, and that rate has progressively declined over the past 27 years to 0.35 episodes/patient-year in 2004. Technical improvements that contributed to the decline in overall peritonitis rates have been adopted nationwide. The largest improvement occurred with the switch from glass bottles to plastic bags, and to the closed-system Y-set that incorporated the flush-before-fill principle. Advances in catheter technology have also played a key role. Quality improvement in the program and long years of experience in overall care of PD patients are significant factors that cannot be measured quantitatively. Improvements have been made to exit-site care protocols, to exit-site evaluation and diagnosis, and to treatment strategies. Patient education and training in catheter care remain the important factor in a PD program. Many factors have contributed to the reduction of PD-associated peritonitis rates at our center Improved connectology, catheter care, and patient education play key roles in the reduction of peritonitis.

Follow-Up Studies↗

Risk of technique failure and death in fungal peritonitis is determined mainly by duration on peritoneal dialysis: single-center experience of 24 years.

Fungal peritonitis (FP) is an infrequent cause of peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis (PD), but it has high morbidity and mortality. We analyzed the experience with FP in a single PD unit over a 24-year period. We identified 671 episodes of peritonitis that occurred in 496 patients during the study period. Of these episodes, 23 (3.4%) were FP episodes occurring in 21 patients. In the FP episodes, the patients' mean time on PD was 29.2 +/- 27 months. In 5 episodes, the patients had experienced a peritonitis episode within the preceding month, and in 11 episodes, the patients had used antibiotics within the preceding month. The FP diagnosis was made a mean of 3.17 +/- 3 days after the diagnosis of peritonitis, and in 1 patient, the diagnosis was made after death. Candida spp. were isolated in 82.6% of patients. In 91.3%, the peritoneal catheter was removed. After the FP diagnosis, 15 patients dropped out of PD, but in only 8 patients (34.7%) was drop-out related to FP. In 4 patients, drop-out occurred because of peritoneal membrane failure, and 4 patients (17.4%) died. Time on PD was significantly higher in the group of patients that dropped out of PD because of the FP (45.7 +/- 31 months vs. 19 +/- 18 months, p = 0.02). Fungal peritonitis is a rare cause of peritonitis in PD patients, but it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Longer time on PD is the main factor in technique failure and mortality.

Antifungal Agents↗

Ciprofloxacin and cefazolin as a combination for empirical initial therapy of peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis: five-year follow-up.

The treatment of peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis has been a matter of extensive investigation, frequently generating therapeutic trials. Several combinations of antibiotics have served as newer protocols and tended to be efficacious, comfortable, and cost-effective. According to the more recent recommendations from the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis, the rationale for empirical initial therapy of clinically detected peritonitis in PD patients has been to follow the bacterial profile derived from cultured specimens of PD effluents. The current study describes 5 year's experience with the use of a new antibiotic regimen for the treatment of peritonitis. We herein analyze the outcome of 95 episodes of peritonitis in 54 patients on either automated PD or continuous ambulatory PD at the dialysis unit of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis was treated with the combination of oral ciprofloxacin and intraperitoneal cefazolin. The observed cure rate was 85.2% and the sensitivity test was observed to be positive for this combination of antibiotics in 88.9% of positive cultures. Of the 14 unsuccessful episodes, 7 were due to catheter colonization and the rest did not respond to the proposed therapy within 48 hours. These 7 cases were also related to peritoneal fluid cultures that were resistant to both ciprofloxacin and cefazolin. From this study, we propose this combination of oral ciprofloxacin and intraperitoneal cefazolin as a first choice for empirical initial therapy of PD-related peritonitis, given its efficacy and low cost. However, in order to apply the most adequate cost-effective therapy, careful examination of the bacterial profile and sensitivities to antibiotics used in each unit is strongly recommended.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

Predictors of survival and technique success after reinsertion of peritoneal dialysis catheter following severe peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: Peritonitis remains the most important complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). The success rate of restarting PD after severe peritonitis (peritonitis unresolved despite treatment with appropriate antibiotics for 3 days, or fungal or pseudomonas infections) is unclear. We wished to determine PD technique survival and overall mortality when PD is offered to these patients and to identify predictors of successful reinitiation. METHOD: We conducted a retrospective single-center study of 556 patients undergoing PD between January 2000 and December 2001. We collected demographic information from the 106 patients who had their PD catheter removed for peritonitis, details about their dialysis history and peritonitis, and whether they successfully restarted PD and if not, the reason. RESULTS: We divided patients into groups as follows: group 1 (n = 42) underwent catheter reinsertion, group 2 (n = 16) had no medical contraindication to restarting PD but the patients elected to remain on hemodialysis, group 3 (n = 35) were deemed medically unsuitable to return to PD, and group 4 (n = 13) were those that died within 4 weeks of presenting with peritonitis. If there were no medical contraindications, Indo-Asians were more likely to retry PD. In group 1, after a mean follow-up of 20 +/- 7.3 months, 23 of 42 patients restarted PD successfully. Technique survival for group 1 as a whole was 69% at 3 months and 55% at the end of follow-up. Patients of greater dialysis vintage were more likely to develop PD technique failure after restarting. Of those judged suitable for PD, there was no statistically significant difference in the mortality of patients who wished to either restart PD or remain on hemodialysis (group 1 vs group 2). Significant numbers of patients returned successfully to PD after pseudomonas and fungal peritonitis. CONCLUSION: Restarting PD after severe peritonitis was possible and safe. Ethnicity was an important predictor for wanting to retry PD, but not for technique failure: given the choice, Indo-Asians preferred PD and had a higher failure rate after restarting, but this did not reach statistical significance. Only dialysis vintage predicted technique failure. We conclude that, after severe peritonitis, patients should be given the choice to return to PD but risk stratification based on dialysis vintage is important. Patient retraining and creating a backup arteriovenous fistula might minimize morbidity in these high-risk patients.

Adolescent↗

Peritonitis in children being treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. CAPD Team.

An eight-year retrospective study was performed to determine the incidence of peritonitis in a pediatric continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) population of 24 children, half of whom were boys and half, girls. All suffered from end stage renal disease (ESRD). When these children, aged 2 through 17 years (mean: 10.7 +/- 3.8), were examined, the incidence of peritonitis was one episode every 15.2 patient-months. Microbiologic evaluation showed that 76.4% of the 34 episodes were culture positive, with Staphylococci species (coagulase negative staphylococci 32.4%, Staphylococcus aureus 14.7%) causing most cases especially early in dialysis. Half the patients presented with a triad of symptoms (fever, abdominal pain and cloudy dialysate), with cloudy dialysate was the major presentation (88%). Peritonitis was treated with intraperitoneal administration of cefacin and/or netromycin when suspected, and 52.9% of the episodes needed hospitalization. Except for two patients who died of complications (sepsis, acute pancreatitis), all episodes of peritonitis were cured; in four episodes it was necessary to remove a catheter, and two of those cases came from fungal peritonitis. Peritonitis rates differed among disconnect systems. The manual spike had peritonitis rate of one episode per 4.6 patient-months which was higher than the O-set (one episode/22.2 patient-months), UV-XD and Y-set disconnect systems. Therefore, the major causes of peritonitis arose from contamination provoked by the technical aspect of the procedure. Nutrition status was stable in these patients. Serum albumin and total protein were adequate in all patients without relation to episode of peritonitis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

[Peritonitis in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis].

We analysed 27 patients (15 women and 12 men) on CAPD treatment longer than 6 months at the Clinic of Nephrology, CCS, in Belgrade. Pts were between 22 and 72 years old (57.77 +/- 12.21 years). These pts had 47 episodes of peritonitis: 6 pts (22.22%) were without peritonitis, but 21 pts (78.22%) had between 1 and 5 episodes of peritonitis. We found 1 peritonitis /pts/year. Causes of peritonitis were mostly unknown (27/47) because treatment had began before taking culture of the peritoneal dyalisate. The most common causes of peritonitis were coagulase negative staphylococci: Staphylococcus aureus (8) and Staphylococci epidermidis (8). Laboratory showed: leucocytosis, hyperfibrinogenaemia, hypoproteinaemia and accelerated ESR. There was no connection between causes of chronic renal failure and frequency or peritonitis. During treatment of peritonitis in 2 pts we had to replace the peritoneal catheter and 5 pts went on haemodialyses. The other were recovered and continued CAPD treatment.

Adult↗

Decreased L-arginine during peritonitis in ESRD patients on peritoneal dialysis.

Deficient production of nitric oxide may be responsible for the defective defense barrier and persistence of bacterial infection. To gain insight into amino acid-metabolism and L-arginine-nitric oxide system, we studied 34 end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) (20 males, 14 females, with a mean age of 53.5 years and a mean duration on PD of 29.7 months). The concentrations of amino acids, including L-arginine, were measured in peritoneal dialysate and in the serum. The data demonstrated that patients with ESRD on PD have normal serum amino-acid profiles, whereas those with acute peritonitis develop L-arginine deficiency (from 99 +/- 9 to 52 +/- 9 mumol/L). In addition, levels of asparagine, glycine, proline (nonessential) as well as valine, threonine, and lysine (essential) were reduced in patients with peritonitis. The majority of patients with acute bacterial peritonitis have increased nitric oxide production as judged by the level of nitrites in the dialysate (36 +/- 2 vs 57 +/- 6 mumol/L). The recovery from peritonitis was associated with a decline in nitric-oxide generation. There was a smaller subgroup of these patients that showed paradoxically low nitrite levels during acute peritonitis. The nitrite: L-arginine ratio in the peritoneal dialysate was increased in patients with peritonitis, further suggesting the development of substrate deficiency. These findings implicate L-arginine as a conditionally essential amino acid in PD patients with acute peritonitis. Further studies are needed to address the issue of L-arginine supplementation in such patients.

Acute Disease↗

Comparison of peritoneal equilibration test with 99mTc-DTPA excretion in the assessment of peritoneal permeability.

Assessment of peritoneal permeability is necessary for successful management of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The objective of this study was to develop an alternative method of assessing the peritoneal permeability and to compare this method with the conventional method, the peritoneal equilibrium test, first described by Twardowski in 1987. Twenty patients undergoing regular CAPD were included in this study. Before starting the peritoneal dialysis, 370 MBq (10 mCi) technetium-99m diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid ((99m)Tc-DTPA) was injected intravenously. A standard dose of the same quantity was kept and used later for calculations. At the end of 4 h, a dialysate fluid sample (1 ml) was collected and the total dialysis effluent fluid volume was measured. Excretion of (99m)Tc-DTPA into the dialysate fluid as a percentage of the injected dose was calculated. Simultaneously, standard peritoneal equilibrium test values were recorded for comparison. Peritoneal excretion of (99m)Tc-DTPA ranged from 8% to 25% of the injected dose, depending on the peritoneal membrane permeability. When the results were compared with the conventional method, a good correlation (r=0.79) was found. This innovative radionuclide technique is a simple and convenient method to assess the peritoneal membrane permeability and can be used as an alternative to the peritoneal equilibrium test, which is very cumbersome and associated with many limitations.

Adult↗

Peritoneal protein losses in children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome on continuous-cycler peritoneal dialysis.

Glomerular protein permeability rises in nephrotic syndrome and may result from the effect of an unidentified "circulating factor." The effect of this "circulating factor" on the permeability of other body membranes is unknown. In this study we examine the peritoneal membrane protein permeability in patients with nephrotic syndrome on chronic-cycler peritoneal dialysis. We conducted a retrospective study of peritoneal protein losses in the dialysate effluent of 60 pediatric peritoneal dialysis patients (ages 5.1-22 years) over a 6-year period (January 1997-December 2002). Nineteen patients had steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS), while 41 had other non-nephrotic etiologies of renal failure. Total and normalized peritoneal protein losses are higher in SRNS than in non-nephrotic patients (12,603+/-5,403 mg/day vs 4,475+/-469 mg/day, P<0.05; 297.8+/-79.3 mg/kg per day vs 156.8+/-16.0 mg/kg per day, P<0.05; 9,614.6+/-3,253.4 mg/m(2) per day vs 4,168.3+/-367.3 mg/m(2) per day, P<0.05). The ratio of total protein in dialysate to plasma, a measure of peritoneal membrane protein permeability, was higher in SRNS patients (3.50+/-1.00% vs 0.68+/-0.06%, P<0.001). Serum albumin concentration was lower in SRNS patients (3.09+/-0.13 mg/dl vs 3.52+/-0.07 mg/dl, P<0.01). There were no differences between the two groups with regard to duration of peritoneal dialysis, dialysis prescription, numbers of peritonitis episodes, catheter replacements, or hospitalizations. In summary, these results demonstrate that peritoneal protein losses in patients with SRNS are twice as great as in those without nephrotic syndrome. These results are consistent with the systemic effect of a "circulating factor" in SRNS and underscore the importance of adequate protein intake in patients on peritoneal dialysis.

Adolescent↗

Peritoneal eosinophilia in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: a prospective study.

A prospective study on peritoneal eosinophilia was conducted in 23 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients for a mean period of 7.9 months. Peritoneal eosinophilia as defined by peritoneal eosinophil count exceeding 100/mm3 was found in 60.8% of patients. Most developed peritoneal eosinophilia within 3 months of the initiation of dialysis, although the phenomenon could occur as early as one day or as late as 6 months after dialysis. Fifty-seven percent of those with peritoneal eosinophilia also had peripheral blood eosinophilia. Although most peritoneal eosinophilic episodes subsided in a month, in one patient the process grumbled on for 150 days. The number of peritonitis episodes was not significantly different between patients with peritoneal eosinophilia and those without. The only distinction between the two groups of patients was that those who developed peritoneal eosinophilia had a significantly (P = .002) higher serum IgE concentration initially as well as throughout the period of observation.

Adolescent↗

Time course of peritoneal tissue plasminogen activator after experimental colonic surgery: effect of hyaluronan-based antiadhesive agents and bacterial peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the peritoneal fibrinolytic response during the first week after colonic surgery in rats with and without bacterial peritonitis, and possible modulation of the response by two hyaluronan-based antiadhesive agents. METHODS: A colonic anastomosis was constructed in 90 male Wistar rats. Peritonitis was induced in another 108 rats and a colonic anastomosis was constructed after 24 h. Rats in both groups were randomized into an untreated group or one of two groups treated with hyaluronan-based agents. One-third of each group was killed at each of days 1, 3 and 7 after operation, and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) antigen and activity were measured in peritoneal biopsies. RESULTS: One day after colonic surgery in normal rats, tPA antigen concentration was significantly (P < 0.005) increased, whereas tPA activity levels were normal. By day 3 after operation tPA antigen had returned to baseline values while tPA activity was significantly increased (P < 0.05). One day after inducing peritonitis tPA antigen was significantly increased (P < 0.001), while tPA activity was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Three and seven days after colonic surgery in rats with peritonitis tPA activity was increased (P < 0.001) while tPA antigen had returned to baseline values. Neither of the hyaluronan-based agents affected peritoneal tPA antigen levels or activity after colonic surgery. CONCLUSION: Both abdominal surgery and infection caused an early increase in peritoneal tPA antigen levels, followed by an increase in tPA activity. Peritonitis severely depressed early tPA activity. Application of hyaluronan-based agents did not affect the peritoneal fibrinolytic response to surgery and/or infection.

Animals↗

Role of immunosuppression in the development of quinolone-resistant Escherichia coli spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and in the mortality of E. coli spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: Norfloxacin decreases the incidence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotics, but promotes the appearance of quinolone-resistant Escherichia coli. AIM: : To define the characteristics of quinolone-resistant E. coli spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. METHODS: E. coli-positive ascitic fluid cultures were identified during a 6-year period. Data on quinolone-sensitive and quinolone-resistant E. coli spontaneous bacterial peritonitis were compared. RESULTS: One hundred and two E. coli-positive ascitic fluid cultures were detected. Cirrhotics accounted for 67 cases. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis was found in 47 of the 67 (70%) cases [35 (74%) caused by quinolone-sensitive and 12 (26%) caused by quinolone-resistant E. coli]. Norfloxacin prophylaxis was higher in the quinolone-resistant group (92% vs. 6%, P < 0.001). Compared with patients with quinolone-sensitive E. coli spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, those with quinolone-resistant E. coli spontaneous bacterial peritonitis showed a higher prevalence of associated immunosuppressive factors (immunosuppressive drugs, human immunodeficiency virus infection or cancer) (92% vs. 20%, P < 0.001). Steroid therapy was independently associated with quinolone-resistant E. coli spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (odds ratio, 49; 95% confidence interval, 3.4-699; P = 0.004). The Child-Pugh score (P = 0.03), immunosuppression (P = 0.02) and renal failure (P = 0.01) were independent predictors of E. coli spontaneous bacterial peritonitis-related mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Associated immunosuppression is an important co-factor for the development of quinolone-resistant E. coli spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and for E. coli spontaneous bacterial peritonitis-related mortality.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

High peritoneal residual volume decreases the efficiency of peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Wide variation in peritoneal residual volume (PRV) is a common clinical observation. High PRV has been used in both continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and automated peritoneal dialysis to minimize the time of a dry peritoneal cavity and to achieve better dialysis. However, the impact of PRV on peritoneal transport is not well established. In this study, we investigated the effect of PRV on peritoneal transport characteristics. METHODS: Peritoneal effluents were collected in 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats after a five-hour dwell with 1.36% glucose solution. Forty-eight hours later, a four hour dwell using 25 ml of 3.86% glucose solution and frequent dialysate and blood sampling was done in each rat with 125I-albumin as a volume marker. Before the infusion of the 3.86% glucose solution, 0 (control), 3, 6, or 12 ml (8 rats in each group) of autologous effluent (serving as PRV) was infused to the peritoneal cavity. RESULTS: After subtracting the PRV, the net ultrafiltration was significantly lower in the PRV groups as compared with the control group: 13.4 +/- 0.5, 12.0 +/- 1.0, 11.7 +/- 1.7, and 8.9 +/- 0.4 ml for 0, 3, 6, and 12 ml PRV groups, respectively (P < 0.001). The lower net ultrafiltration associated with higher PRV was due to (a) a significantly lower transcapillary ultrafiltration rate (Qu) caused by a lower osmotic gradient, and (b) a significantly higher peritoneal fluid absorption rate (KE) caused by an increased intraperitoneal hydrostatic pressure. No significant differences were found in the diffusive mass transport coefficient for small solutes (glucose, urea, sodium, and potassium) and total protein, although the dialysate over plasma concentration ratios values were higher in the high-PRV groups. The sodium removal was significantly lower in the PRV groups as compared with the control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that a high PRV may decrease net ultrafiltration through decreasing the Qu, which is caused by a decreased dialysate osmolality, and increasing the KE caused by an increased intraperitoneal hydrostatic pressure. The high volume of PRV also decreased the solute diffusion gradient and decreased peritoneal small solute clearances, particularly for sodium. Therefore, a high PRV may compromise the efficiency of dialysis with a glucose solution.

Animals↗

Peritonitis in childhood: clinical relevance of cytokines in the peritoneal exudate.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to assess pro-inflammatory cytokine (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-alpha], interleukin 6 [IL-6]) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (interleukin 10 [IL-10]) responses in children with peritonitis secondary to hollow viscus perforation, and to evaluate the influence of peritoneal microbial status on cytokine expression and morbidity. METHODS: The peritoneal fluid of 13 children with perforated appendicitis was examined with qualitative analysis of bacteria, and measurement of cytokine levels, which were compared to cytokine plasma levels, over a five-day period following operation. RESULTS: All fluid specimens showed permanently elevated levels of TNF-alpha and IL-10. IL-6 tended to decrease to normal levels by the 5th postoperative day. Peritoneal exudate levels of TNF-alpha and IL-10 were more than 100 - 1000 times greater than those in plasma. The most common bacterial species isolated in the peritoneal fluid was Escherichia coli. Despite persisting high cytokine concentrations and bacterial load of the peritoneal cavity for 5 days postoperatively, the children recovered uneventfully and the systemic signs of infection disappeared rapidly. CONCLUSION: Neither the bacterial nor the pro-inflammatory cytokine load of the peritoneal cavity proved to be associated with the clinical course. We hypothesize that in peritonitis in childhood a significant and clinically relevant cytokine-mediated inflammatory response is compartmentalized in the peritoneal cavity. Therefore adjuvant surgical measures in addition to appendectomy and intraoperative debridement seem not to be necessary, at least for peritonitis due to perforated appendicitis in children.

Adolescent↗

Effects of intraperitoneal heparin on peritoneal transport in a chronic animal model of peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Heparin has anti-inflammatory effects and is often added to the peritoneal dialysis fluid to prevent fibrin formation. Conjugation of heparin to the surface of biomaterials has been shown to improve its biocompatibility. In this study, we describe for the first time an experimental chronic peritoneal dialysis model with repeated dwell studies in non-uraemic rats and evaluate the effect of addition of heparin to glucose-based peritoneal dialysis fluid on peritoneal fluid and solute transport. METHODS: Wistar male rats, weighing 340+/-15 g, with implanted peritoneal catheters were infused during 1 month, twice per day with 20 ml of Dianeal 1.36%+antibiotics (AB; n = 10) or Dianeal 1.36%+antibiotics+heparin 2500 U/l (HAB; n = 9). After 10 (DS 1) and 30 days (DS 2), a dwell study was performed in rats with free access to drinking water, by infusing 30 ml of Dianeal 3.86%. Dialysate samples were obtained at 0, 2, 30, 60, 120 and 240 min. Blood samples were drawn before and at the end of the dwell. Radiolabelled serum albumin was used as macromolecular volume marker. RESULTS: Peritoneal volumes during DS 1 were significantly greater for the HAB group as compared with the AB group. No differences in ultrafiltration were found during DS 2 for HAB vs AB. However, peritoneal volumes were significantly higher for DS 2 compared with DS 1 in the AB group. The amount of glucose absorbed over time did not differ between the solutions, while fluid absorption tended to be lower in the HAB group. CONCLUSIONS: Heparin may improve peritoneal fluid transport possibly due to better healing and reduced peritoneal inflammation as shown in this novel animal model of chronic peritoneal dialysis with repeated dwell studies.

Absorption↗