ABSTRACT
Leuconostoc species are gram-positive cocci and they are rarely pathogenic in human. Leuconostoc infections are commonly associated with immunocompromised status and indwelling medical devices include intravenous catheter, tracheostomy, endotracheal intubation and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. Clinical isolates of Leuconostoc were frequently misidentified, usually as viridans streptococci, but they possess inherent resistance to vancomycin despite sensitivity to most other antibiotics. We present a case of Leuconostoc peritonitis in patients receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). A 48-year-old man with hypertensive nephropathy has been treated with peritoneal dialysis, developed peritonitis due to Leuconostoc species. The peritonitis was poorly responded to empirical antibiotics. He was successfully treated with intraperitoneal administration of ampicillin. The dialysis catheter was left in place, and continued to function. To our knowledge, this is the first case of Leuconostoc peritonitis reported in Korea.