Pasteurella multocida Peritonitis in a 3-Year-Old Patient Undergoing Peritoneal Dialysis: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Pasteurella multocida has been rarely reported to cause peritonitis in children. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) peritonitis is associated with high mortality despite appropriate treatment; therefore, its early detection is essential. Here, we report the case of a 3-year-old girl, undergoing treatment with PD, who developed peritonitis caused by P. multocida after a domestic cat scratched a dialysate bag used for PD. The patient was treated with antibiotics and her condition was soon in remission. PD peritonitis can occur despite the isolation of equipment, as in this case, it is preferable to completely avoid having pets if possible. But, there is the benefit of pets which heal the minds of humans with a chronic illness. We propose that it is preferable for PD patients to keep pets away from rooms where they store PD equipment and perform PD.