Mycobacterium fortuitum peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis in a child: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are an uncommon but serious cause of peritoneal dialysis (PD)–related infections. NTM peritonitis typically necessitates PD catheter removal, PD withdrawal, and aggressive, prolonged antimicrobial treatment. Few reported cases of NTM peritonitis in the pediatric population exist. METHODS: We describe a case of a 9-year-old boy on PD after kidney allograft failure who developed Mycobacterium fortuitum peritonitis, and we summarize the available literature on M. fortuitum peritonitis in pediatric patients receiving PD. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Therapeutic options were limited by adverse medication effects and risk of drug–drug interactions in a patient with complex mental health comorbidities. Clofazimine presented an acceptable oral treatment option for long-term therapy in combination with ciprofloxacin and was well tolerated by this patient. Prompt PD catheter removal followed by 6 months of dual antimicrobial therapy resulted in a full recovery and successful re-transplantation with no infection relapse.