1989 Volume 22 Issue 11 Pages 1245-1247
Peritonitis in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is generally due to bacterial infection. However, some patients exhibit sterile peritonitis.
Among 9 patients currently undergoing CAPD, we encountered one case of eosinophilic peritonitis in a 55-year-old male. The effluent dialysate became cloudy on the 19th day after starting CAPD. There was no abdominal pain or fever. Repeated culture of the dialysate revealed no bacteria or fungi. He had a high eosinophil count in the effluent dialysate with peripheral eosinophilia. With a diagnosis of eosinophilic peritonitis, administration of antibiotics was stopped and he improved spontaneously.
The etiology of eosinophilic peritonitis remaines to be determined, although it is thought to be related to an allergy to some constituents of the peritoneal dialysis system. Fortunately, eosinophilic peritonitis has a benign course and resolves spontaneously. Differential white cell counts of the dialysate should be performed in sterile and asymtomatic peritonitis in patients on CAPD. In patients with eosinophilic peritonitis, antibiotics should not be used to prevent opportunistic infection.
