To determine the impact of Staphylococcus aureus catheter-related infections in a peritoneal dialysis program we reviewed all S. aureus catheter-related infections in our program over a six-year period. Twenty -five percent (51/204) of patients at risk developed S. aureus catheter exit-site or tunnel infections. S. aureus accounted for 61% of all positive exit-site cultures; of 320 catheters implemented, 65 were infected with S. aureus. Fifty-one S. aureus-infected patients were retrospectively matched with 51 noninfected patients from our peritoneal dialysis program. Patients with S. aureus catheter-related infections had significantly greater catheter loss from catheter infection and peritonitis. There was significantly more S. aureus peritonitis but less coagulase negative staphylococcus peritonitis in patients with S. aureus catheter-related infections. Significantly more noninfected control patients remained peritonitis free. During this period, 83% of all S. aureus peritonitis was associated with S. aureus catheter infections, and 28 of 57 replacement catheters were reinfected with S. aureus. These findings suggest S. aureus is a major catheter-related pathogen leading to catheter loss and peritonitis. The high recurrence rate suggests that host factors may predispose to S. aureus catheter-related infections.

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