Antimicrobial Therapy for CAPD-Associated Peritonitis

Abstract

Infectious peritonitis continues to be the leading cause of morbidity in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Optimum management of CAPD-associated peritonitis requires a concerted effort toward the establishment of the specific agent causing the episode. We have reviewed the current literature relating to the diagnosis and institution of antimicrobial therapy. Controlled comparative trials are needed to determine the efficacy of potentially less toxic therapeutic regimens for peritonitis, for definition of and treatment of exit-site infections, and timing of catheter replacement.