Fusarium peritonitis in a patient on peritoneal dialysis.

*Incharge Microbiologist, Department of Pathology, Bombay Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai-400020 Abstract Fungal pathogens account for a small but well recognised proportion of peritonitis infections in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. This report presents a case of peritonitis by Fusarium in a patient on CAPD. A literature review of previously reported cases of Fusarium peritonitis was conducted to determine features common to infections caused by Fusarium. Emphasis was also placed on unique characteristics of the organism that may affect patient management. The relative drug resistance of this organism and the apparent propensity to invade the CAPD cannula wall make this fungus potentially sinister pathogen in CAPD patients. The most prudent management of these infections is early cannula removal and administration of antifungal agents, which was done in present case. Although fungi are rarely a cause of peritonitis, Candida albicans being the most common, the possibility should be considered of isolating other genera, such as Fusarium.