Early diagnosis of CAPD peritonitis by a test kit for detecting leukocyturia (Leukostix^®)

Abstract

A test kit for detecting leukocyturia, Leukostix^®, has been used for all patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in our hospital to make the diagnosis of CAPD peritonitis.
These CAPD patients used Leukostix^® every morning at home. Sixteen CAPD patients with suspected CAPD peritonitis were analyzed.
We evaluated the relationships between the results of Leukostix^® and clinical symptoms, cloudy effluent, leukocyte counts in the effluent and peripheral blood, and estimated the usefulness of Leukostix^® for early diagnosis of CAPD peritonitis.
Leukostix^® was positive in 14 of 16 patients who were diagnosed as having CAPD peritonitis (92%). A positive correlation was observed between the grade of Leukostix^® and the leukocyte count in effluent.
Nine patients with CAPD peritonitis were positive on the Leukostix^® test, with symptoms of peritonitis and cloudy effluent.
One patient who showed a positive Leukostix^® result without symptoms of peritonitis or cloudy effluent was diagnosed as having CAPD peritonitis by other examinations. The sensitivity and accuracy of Leukostix^® were better than those of other parameters.
These results suggest that Leukostix^® is a simple and useful method for the early diagnosis of CAPD peritonitis.