Peritonitis due to Aspergillus tamarii in peritoneal dialysis patients

Abstract

Aspergillus peritonitis is uncommon, but it is associated with high mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). We report two cases of Aspergillus tamarii peritonitis that were initially misidentified as A. flavus by the conventional culture method. Nucleotide sequences of internal transcribed spacer regions of the ribosomal DNA gene as A. tamarii correctly identified the isolate. Despite early catheter removal and an appropriate antifunal agent, both patients had dismal outcomes. Nucleic acid sequencing offers an additional tool for better diagnosing the species within the genus of pathogenic microbes.

Keywords

• Aspergillus
• Aspergillus tamarii
• Aspergillus flavus
• Peritoneal dialysis
• Peritonitis