MYCOBACTERIUM-PHLEI PERITONITIS - A RARE COMPLICATION OF CHRONIC PERITONEAL-DIALYSIS

We report the first case of chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis-ass ociated peritonitis caused by Mycobacterium phlei. This organism was i solated from the peritoneal fluid of a patient who presented with recu rrent episodes of ''culture-negative'' peritonitis. The therapeutic re gimen was based on previous experience with other rapidly growing atyp ical mycobacteria, and included removal of the Tenckhoff catheter, ins titution of hemodialysis, and anti-mycobacterial therapy with amikacin , cefoxitin, and doxycycline. This successfully eradicated the organis m, and permitted subsequent cadaveric renal transplantation with routi ne immunosuppression.