Use of distilled white vinegar dressing supplemental to oral antibiotics in the management of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exit site infection in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa infected peritoneal catheter exit sites have been a troublesome problem among patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). P. aeruginosa is characterized by its versatility and ability to colonize even in water with minimum nutrients. This is a retrospective report on the experience of attempts to control the growth of the microbe by altering the acidity of the habitat environment using diluted distilled white vinegar (pH 3). All patients were also treated with oral ciprofloxacin. This regimen achieved 97% eradication with no relapse. The application of vinegar dressing for P. aeruginosa infected peritoneal catheter exit sites was found to achieve an apparently higher eradication and a lower relapse rate when compared with historical controls using chlorhexidine or Eusol dressings. Further prospective study is required to confirm the effectiveness of such regimen.