Peritonitis associated with Pasteurella multocida in peritoneal dialysis patients--case report and review of the literature.

Pasteurella multocida is a zoonotic pathogen found in the oral cavities of domestic dogs and cats and other wild and domestic animals. 14 cases ofperitoneal dialysis-associated Pasteurella multocida peritonitis linked to animal contact have been reported in the literature to date. In each case, the source of infection was believed to be a domestic cat or cats. One case of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis has been reported in a cirrhotic patient and was not linked to animal contact. Poor hygiene in relation to pets was considered the source of infection. We describe the first case of Pasteurella multocida peritonitis in a patient undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) believed to be caused by contact with dogs and discuss the relevant literature.