Epidemic of Aseptic Peritonitis Caused by Endotoxin during Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis

Abstract

Of all episodes of peritonitis among patients undergoing chronic peritoneal dialysis 15 to 30 per cent^{1 , 2} are described as aseptic — that is, all symptoms and signs of peritonitis are present, but cultures of the effluent are negative. No responsible agent has been identified to date.An epidemic of 48 episodes of aseptic peritonitis occurred during a four-week period among 28 patients maintained on chronic peritoneal dialysis in two hospitals. Dialysate in 2-liter plastic containers was used in all cases.Diffuse abdominal pain and rebound tenderness were the predominant findings, occurring on an average of seven hours after initiation of . . .