Glucose-based dialysis fluids inhibit innate defense against Staphylococcus aureus.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus peritonitis is a serious complication of Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis (CPD) and associated with a higher risk for severe and recurrent infections compared with other bacteria. We have previously shown that complement-mediated effectors essential for optimal opsonophagocytosis of S. aureus are inhibited by high glucose concentrations.

Hyperglycemia inhibits complement-mediated immunological control of S. aureus in a rat model of peritonitis.

Hyperglycemia from diabetes is associated with increased risk of infection from S. aureus and increased severity of illness. Previous work in our laboratory demonstrated that elevated glucose (>6 mM) dramatically inhibited S.