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Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis
Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis
Bacterial Peritonitis
Katherine Yu
May 2014
Objectives
• Know how to diagnose spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP)
• Labs: WBC 3.5, Hgb 10, Plt 70. Cr 1.8. Total bilirubin 4. ALT 30, AST
40. Diagnostic paracentesis discloses a cell count of 2,000/microliter
with 20% neutrophils, a total protein level 1 g/dL, and an albumin of
0.7 g/dL. Ascitic fluid culture is positive.
• Example:
• Ascitic fluid cell count is 1,000 and there are 30% PMNs
• The number of PMNs is 1,000 x 0.3 = 300
Diagnosis
Type Ascites cell Ascites culture
count/mm3
Spontaneous bacterial ≥ 250 PMNs Usually polymicrobial.
peritonitis (SBP)
Microbiology: 70% GNR (E.
coli, Klebsiella), 30% GPC
(enterococcus, S. pneumo).
Less commonly nosocomial
(fungi, pseudomonas)
• Secondary prophylaxis:
• If prior history of SBP
• Regimen:
• norfloxacin 400 mg po daily -OR -
• Bactrim DS daily
• Benefits of prophylaxis:
• Improves 1 year survival probability
• Reduces 1 year probability of SBP
Back to the case
• A 45 year old man is admitted to the hospital for a two day history of
fever and abdominal pain. His medical history is notable for cirrhosis
due to chronic hepatitis C, esophageal varices, ascites, and minimal
hepatic encephalopathy.
• Labs: WBC 3.5, Hgb 10, Plt 70. Cr 1.8. Total bilirubin 4. ALT 30, AST
40. Diagnostic paracentesis discloses a cell count of 2,000/microliter
with 20% neutrophils, a total protein level 1 g/dL, and an albumin of
0.7 g/dL. Ascitic fluid culture is positive.