Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate peritonitis rates and outcomes, as well as general characteristics of patients undergoing automated peritoneal dialysis at a dialysis center in Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil. A retrospective study was carried out in which sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data were evaluated. Of 213 patients analyzed, 88 presented 181 episodes of peritonitis. The average age estimated was 51.7 years, 53.4% were female and 36% were diabetic. Gram-positive bacteria were the most frequent cause (37.7%), with a predominance of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS) in 14.7% and Staphylococcus aureus in 13% of cases. In 32% of the episodes there was no detection of microorganisms. The overall peritonitis rate was 0.33 episodes/patient/year (ep./year) and per microorganism was 0.048 for SCN, 0.042 for S. aureus and 0.057 for Gram-negative bacteria. Regarding outcomes, there was a higher percentage of cure in peritonitis by Gram-positive bacteria (82%) than by Gram-negative bacteria (60.6%), mixed infections (50%) and fungi (18%). Catheter removal and death were more frequent in cases of fungal, polymicrobial and gram-negative peritonitis. Peritonitis rates are within the limits recommended by international guidelines.