Initial Treatment of Dialysis Associated Peritonitis: A Controlled Trial of Vancomycin versus Cefazolin

Objective To determine if intraperitoneal administration of vancomycin (a slowly absorbed antibiotic) im proves the management of dialysis-associated peritonitis over that obtained by using cefazolin, an equally potent, rapidly absorbed antibiotic.Setting A university operated teaching hospital, with patient treatment initiated at home.Patients One hundred thirty-one patients trained to perform peritoneal dialysis (CAPD and CCPD) and followed at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Home Dialysis Treatment Center.Design Patients were prospectively allocated into groups adding either vancomycin 25 mgm/L, orcefazolin 50 mgm/L to their dialysate when signs or symptoms of peritonitis developed. Treatment results were analysed using chi-square testing.Findings Compared to cefazolin, initial peritonitis therapy with vancomycin improved the peritonitis resolution rate [67% vs 81 %; p=0.008], reduced the incidence of hospital admissions [68% vs 48%; p=0.001], and decreased the risk of superinfection [4% vs 0%; p=0.039].Conclusion Vancomycin appeared to be superior to cefazolin in the treatment of peritoneal dialysis associated peritonitis.