Peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis caused by Enterococcus avium

BMJ Case Rep. 2021 Mar 24;14(3):e240272. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2020-240272.

Abstract

Peritonitis remains a common and serious complication of peritoneal dialysis. Peritonitis caused by gram-positive organisms includes coagulase-negative staphylococci, Streptococcus spp and Enterococcus spp. We present a rare case of peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis, where persisting abdominal pain and worsening laboratory findings despite antibiotic therapy led to the identification of Enterococcus avium, requiring Tenckoff catheter removal and temporary transfer to haemodialysis. The available literature reports only few cases where peritonitis is caused by this agent, underlining the need to consider atypical microbial agents when heterogeneous clinical course is presented.

Keywords: chronic renal failure; dialysis; infectious diseases; medical management.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Enterococcus
  • Humans
  • Peritoneal Dialysis* / adverse effects
  • Peritonitis* / diagnosis
  • Peritonitis* / drug therapy
  • Peritonitis* / etiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents

Supplementary concepts

  • Enterococcus avium