Fungal peritonitis in children on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Between 1979 and 1985, six of 26 patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis developed fungal peritonitis. All had received antibacterial therapy with cefamandole and/or netilmicin prior to the diagnosis. The causal organisms were Candida albicans (three), Candida glabrata (one), Cryptococcus laurentii (one) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (one). Treatment comprised catheter removal preceded by antifungal drugs (flucytosine and/or amphotericin B) in four patients and catheter removal alone in two. All patients were transferred to haemodialysis and five of the six developed extensive intra-abdominal adhesions. The most prudent management of fungal peritonitis in children would seem to be early cannula removal.