FLUCONAZOLE TREATMENT OF CANDIDA PERITONITIS WITH DELAYED REMOVAL OF THE PERITONEAL-DIALYSIS CATHETER

Candida peritonitis was treated with fluconazole in ten continuous amb ulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients without immediate removal of the peritoneal catheter. Shortly prior to diagnosis, six patients ( 60%) had received broad-spectrum antibiotics. Gram stain of peritoneal fluid detected yeast in 70% of cases. In eight patients the peritonea l dialysis catheter was removed within one week of diagnosis because o f clinical deterioration. In the majority of cases (90%), candida peri tonitis resolved only after catheter removal in spite of ongoing fluco nazole therapy. Fluconazole was well tolerated by all patients.