Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

Postgrad Med J. 2007 Jun;83(980):379-83. doi: 10.1136/pgmj.2006.056168.

Abstract

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is the infection of ascitic fluid in the absence of any intra-abdominal, surgically treatable source of infection. Despite timely diagnosis and treatment its reported incidence in ascitic patients varies between 7-30%. Ascitic paracentesis remains the chief diagnostic procedure. Automated cell counters have the same diagnostic accuracy as the manual measurement of white cells. Lately, the use of leucocyte reagent strips (dipsticks) has emerged as a useful alternative. Examination of the fluid is not complete unless the sample is inoculated in blood culture bottles. Treatment is currently with third-generation cephalosporins or oral quinolones. Following a single episode of SBP patients should have long term antibiotic prophylaxis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Albumins / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacterial Infections* / diagnosis
  • Bacterial Infections* / etiology
  • Bacterial Infections* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Peritonitis / diagnosis
  • Peritonitis / etiology
  • Peritonitis / microbiology*
  • Peritonitis / therapy

Substances

  • Albumins
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents