Culture-negative peritonitis was the second commonest category worldwide, and much of it reflects how the sample is handled rather than true absence of bacteria. When a PD patient presents with cloudy effluent, inoculate 5–10 mL directly into aerobic and anaerobic blood culture bottles at the bedside, send a separate sample for cell count and Gram stain, and get it to the laboratory quickly. Ideally sample before the first antibiotic dose. If the rate of culture-negative episodes in your unit exceeds about 15%, review the sampling pathway with microbiology.
- Inoculate 5–10 mL of effluent into blood culture bottles at the bedside.
- Send a separate sample for cell count and Gram stain.
- Collect samples before antibiotics where possible.
- Audit culture-negative rates with microbiology.
Why it matters
Knowing the organism allows narrower antibiotics and better outcomes.
Read the rest in the app
You have read your two free briefings this month. The app carries all 27 specialties, every morning, free — and this finding is waiting in it.
Scan to keep reading on your phone. No account needed to start.
Tomorrow morning, before your first patient
One edition a day for nephrology, written by the desk, every claim tied to its paper. Six minutes.
Get the app — free