Noninfectious Causes of Cloudy Peritoneal Dialysate

• Published in: Seminars in dialysis Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 37 - 40
• Main Authors: Rocklin, Michael A., Teitelbaum, Isaac
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston, MA, USA Blackwell Science Inc 01.02.2001
• Subjects: Dialysis Solutions - adverse effects; Dialysis Solutions - chemistry; Humans; Peritoneal Dialysis - adverse effects; Peritoneal Dialysis - methods; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory - methods; Peritonitis - diagnosis; Peritonitis - etiology; Primary Prevention - methods; Prognosis; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors
• ISSN: 0894-0959; 1525-139X
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1525-139x.2001.00012.x

ABSTRACT The appearance of cloudy dialysate fluid in combination with the clinical manifestations of peritonitis usually heralds infectious peritonitis. Diagnosis is readily established in most cases by routine culture of the turbid dialysate. However, an occasional patient presents with culture‐negative, cloudy dialysate. After ruling out atypical infectious etiologies, a diverse set of aseptic causes remains in the differential diagnosis. Herein we review these causes and suggest an organizational scheme, based on identifying the cellular or noncellular constituent producing the dialysate turbidity, to facilitate appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.