Effects of Various Peritoneal Dialysis Solutions on Bacterial Growth in Vitro

We studied the influence of various peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions mixed with nutrient broth on the growth of Proteus rettgeri Sanelli “in vitro”. The volume of the nutrient broth was reduced progressively and was replaced either by water (control) or by peritoneal dialysis solutions to make up 10%-25%-50%75% of the total initial volume. Bacterial growth was enhanced in the presence of the PD solutions, particularly those containing lactate. When the nutrient broth was prepared directly with the PD solutions, bacterial growth again was stimulated in fluids containing lactate and hypertonic glucose. These results indicate that PD solutions, in the presence of even small amounts of nutrient broth, are a good growth medium for Proteus.