gramicidin-a and Peritonitis

Infectious complications remain a significant cause of peritoneal dialysis (PD) technique failure. Topical ointments seem to reduce peritonitis; however, concerns over resistance have led to a quest for alternative agents. This study examined the effectiveness of applying topical Polysporin Triple ointment (P(3)) against mupirocin in a multi-centered, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.. PD patients routinely applied either P(3) or mupirocin ointment to their exit site. Patients were followed for 18 months or until death or catheter removal. The primary study outcome was a composite endpoint of exit-site infection (ESI), tunnel infection, or peritonitis.. Seventy-five of 201 randomized patients experienced a primary outcome event (51 peritonitis episodes, 24 ESIs). No difference was seen in the time to first event for P(3) (13.2 months; 95% confidence interval, 11.9-14.5) and mupirocin (14.0 months; 95% confidence interval, 12.7-15.4) (P=0.41). Twice as many patients reported redness at the exit site in the P(3) group (14 versus 6, P=0.10). Over the complete study period, a higher rate per year of fungal ESIs was seen in patients using P(3) (0.07 versus 0.01; P=0.02) with a corresponding increase in fungal peritonitis (0.04 versus 0.00, respectively; P<0.05).. This study shows that P(3) is not superior to mupirocin in the prophylaxis of PD-related infections. Colonization of the exit site with fungal organisms is of concern and warrants further study. As such, the use of P(3) over mupirocin is not advocated in the prophylaxis of PD-related infections.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Bacitracin; Catheter-Related Infections; Catheters, Indwelling; Disease-Free Survival; Double-Blind Method; Drug Combinations; Female; Gramicidin; Humans; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Male; Middle Aged; Mupirocin; Mycoses; Ontario; Peritoneal Dialysis; Peritonitis; Polymyxin B; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome

Peritonitis is the most common infectious complication seen in peritoneal dialysis (PD). Traditionally, exit site infection (ESI) has been thought to predispose PD patients to peritonitis, although the risks have not been quantified. This study aimed to quantify the risk of PD peritonitis after ESI.. Data from 203 clinically stable PD patients >18 years of age who were followed as part of a randomized controlled trial over 18 months were used to estimate the risk of developing peritonitis within 30 days of an ESI compared with individuals who did not have a recent ESI. Sensitivity analyses were performed at 15, 45, and 60 days.. Patients were mostly male (64.5%) and Caucasian, with a mean age of 60.5 ± 14.4 years. There were 44 ESIs and 87 peritonitis episodes during the 18-month study. Seven patients had an ESI followed by peritonitis within 30 days. Using a frailty model, patients who had an ESI had a significantly higher risk of developing peritonitis within 30 days, even if the ESI was appropriately treated. This risk was maximal early on and diminished with time, with hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) of 11.1 at 15 days (HR=11.1, 95% CI=4.9-25.1), 5.3 at 45 days (2.5-11.3), and 4.9 at 60 days (2.4-9.9). In 2.3% of patients, subsequent peritonitis was caused by the same organism as the previous ESI.. A strong association between a treated ESI and subsequent PD peritonitis was present up to 60 days after initial diagnosis.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Bacitracin; Catheter-Related Infections; Catheters, Indwelling; Drug Combinations; Female; Gramicidin; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mupirocin; Ointments; Ontario; Peritoneal Dialysis; Peritonitis; Polymyxin B; Proportional Hazards Models; Prospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Young Adult