Diagnosis of peritonitis was based on at least
two of the following criteria: abdominal pain or cloudy
Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) effluent, leukocyte in peritoperitoneal
effluent more than 100 cells/mm3, and at least 50%
of the cells are polymorphonuclear leukocytes, or positive
gram stain or effluent culture. Bacterial culture was
performed using a BacTAlert bottle (Organon Teknika,
Durham, North Carolina, USA). Peritonitis was treated
with the standard antibiotic protocol of the hospital.
Initial antibiotics consisted of cefazolin plus gentamicin
or ceftazidime. Regimen change was based on culture
and sensitivity. The decision to remove the catheter
depended on the physician’s opinion. Generally, culture
negative peritonitis and known organisms without
response and fungal peritonitis were considered as
criteria for catheter removal.