Prophylactic intranasal mupirocin ointment in the treatment of peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of prophylactic intranasal mupirocin for peritonitis in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). A total of 49 patients undergoing CAPD for at least 6 mo were followed for I year. A nasal smear was obtained from each patient at the beginning and end of the study. Intranasal mupirocin ointment was administered to the nares twice daily for 5 d every 4 wk in the mupirocin group. The frequency of Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage was similar in both groups at the beginning, and S aureus was eradicated in 56.5% of patients in the mupirocin group; 29% of patients in the control group had negative nasal smear culture findings at the end of the study. Peritonitis episodes occurred at rates of 4.3% in the mupirocin group and 4.1% in the control group (P >.05). Prophylactic administration of intranasal mupirocin ointment was ineffective in reducing episodes of peritonitis.