Background: Relapsing peritonitis due to the development of a biofilm in the catheter’s lumen remains an important complication of peritoneal dialysis therapy that endangers technique continuity. Taurolidine catheter lock has proven efficient reducing infection rates in permanent hemodialysis catheters based on its biocidal activity and biofilm detachment effect. Efficacy evidence on its use in peritoneal dialysis catheters is lacking. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all relapsing peritonitis episodes from June 2018 until October 2019 in our center. Patients were identified and data were collected from our electronic renal registry and patient’s records. Results: Six patients were identified during the study period. Most patients (66.6%) were on automated peritoneal dialysis and the median duration of peritoneal dialysis before the episode of taurolidine was started was 43.66 ± 29.64 months. Mean taurolidine doses were 10 (range: 9–11) and 83.3% (five patients, with peritonitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Corynebacterium propinquum) had a favorable response and microbial eradication without relapses after taurolidine treatment. Only one patient relapsed by the same organism ( Corynebacterium amycolatum) due to non-adherence to the antibiotic treatment prescribed. None of the patients experienced any relevant adverse events, with only two out of six presenting mild transient abdominal discomfort. Conclusion: We believe that peritoneal catheter taurolidine lock could be considered in cases of relapsing or refractory peritonitis, as it could prevent catheter removal and permanent switch to hemodialysis in selected cases, although literature is scarce and further studies are needed.

Peritonitis remains a primary challenge for the long-term success of peritoneal dialysis (PD) technique and one of the main reasons for catheter removal. Prevention and treatment of catheter-related infections are major concerns to avoid peritonitis. The use of taurolidine catheter-locking solution to avoid the development of a biofilm in the catheter’s lumen has obtained good results in hemodialysis catheters for reducing infection rates, although there is scarce literature available regarding its utility in PD. We describe the case of a woman in her 60s who developed relapsing peritonitis due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa , with no possibility of removing peritoneal dialysis catheter because she was not a suitable candidate for hemodialysis. After the fourth peritonitis episode caused by Pseudomonas species, the use of taurolidine catheter-locking solution was initiated. She received a total of 9 doses, with a favorable microbiological and clinical outcome and no further relapses more than 10 months after taurolidine PD catheter lock treatment was started. We report the successful elimination of an aggressive bacteria after taurolidine PD catheter lock use, with no relevant adverse events.

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With aging population and chronic kidney disease burden increasing worldwide, the need for renal replacement therapy is rising and our patients are getting more complex due to comorbidities and long-standing kidney disease. Deteriorated vascular capital is a frequent feature we have to deal with these days, making even obtaining routine blood tests a hard task. We present two case reports of peritoneal dialysis patients without a peripheral vein access were a Port-a-Cath (Port-a-Cath® Deltec® Smiths Medical) was placed to sort out long-term access. Port-a-Cath manipulation was simple, safe and had no complications neither at implantation nor during its use. We believe that Port-a-Cath placement is an option to be considered when coping with end-stage venous access.