Unusual Pathogen in a Patient With Peritoneal Dialysis-Related Peritonitis: A Case Report

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an effective modality for renal replacement therapy. A serious complication that can arise from PD is peritonitis. Over the last few decades, there have been cases of PD-related peritonitis secondary to Pasteurella multocida infections. We present the case of a 44-year-old female who presented to the emergency department with a one-day history of abdominal pain and cloudy peritoneal fluid on evaluation. Along with her physical examination findings, laboratory results of the peritoneal fluid demonstrated elevated white blood cells and neutrophils, characteristic of peritonitis. Ultimately, the culture results were positive for P. multocida. Although P. multocida is not the most common cause of peritonitis, it is a common cause in PD patients who have domesticated animals. With two out of three people being pet owners and the increased number of people on home therapies such as PD for kidney failure, it is important to educate patients about the proper precautions and techniques to prevent peritonitis and its associated complications. Additionally, proper antibiotic management should be implemented for patients with an increased risk of infection.