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How do you manage a patient on peritoneal dialysis who develops a single episode of cloudy effluent with a low cell count and no organisms on Gram stain while remaining clinically well?

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What is your initial management approach when a peritoneal dialysis patient presents with a single episode of cloudy effluent, negative Gram stain, low cell count, and no systemic symptoms?

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4 Answers
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Nephrology · UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital (UCH)
Answered on

There is a relatively broad differential diagnosis for patients presenting with cloudy dialysis fluid that appears to be non-infectious in nature (Rocklin & Teitelbaum, PMID 11208038). While the differential for fluid that is totally acellular is relatively narrow - fibrin or triglycerides are the u...

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Nephrology · Ascension Borgess Health
Answered on

Over treatment with antibiotics are not helpful!

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Nephrology · Renal Medical Care
Answered on

I would treat with ABX until culture results are back.

Also, check for lipids in PD fluids in this situation.

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Nephrology · Premier Nephrology Medical Group
Answered on

Evolving technology that’s already in use in daily practice in some centers helps with earlier diagnostics (before symptoms start). I invite you to read the CATCH study published in KI in 2024 and a follow-up abstract presented at the ASN last year. Williamson et al., Journal of the American Society...

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