Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis

Excerpt

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a term used to describe acute infection of ascites, an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen without a distinct or identifiable source of infection. SBP virtually always occurs in patients with cirrhosis and ascites and is suspected when the patients present with abdominal pain, fever, or altered mental status. There are not accepted diagnostic criteria for SBP, and a minority of patients also presents without apparent abdominal pain.