Bacterial peritonitis associated with peritoneal dialysis.

A retrospective study on bacterial peritonitis was done in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis in Nan Hospital from January 1990 to June 1993. There were 154 patients. The average dialysis cycle was 52 and duration of dialysis was 50 hours. Bacterial peritonitis confirmed by positive culture was found in 13 patients (8.4%). All infected patients had over 48 dialysis cycles and had the peritoneal catheter repositioned. The predominant bacteria were Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. One patient died of the infection. Meticulous care is needed to lower the risk of this complication.