Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis | |
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Specialty | Gastroenterology |
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is the development of a
The diagnosis of SBP requires
Other life-threatening complications such as kidney malfunction and increased liver insufficiency can be triggered by spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.[8][9] 30% of SBP patients develop kidney malfunction, one of the strongest predictors for mortality. Where there are signs of this development albumin infusion will also be given.[10]
Spontaneous fungal peritonitis (SFP) can also occur and this can sometimes accompany a bacterial infection.[11]
Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) include
These symptoms can also be the same for a spontaneous fungal peritonitis (SFP) and therefore make a differentiation difficult. Delay of diagnosis can delay antifungal treatment and lead to a higher mortality rate.[11]
Causes
SBP is most commonly caused by Gram-negative E. coli, followed by Klebsiella. Common Gram-positive bacteria identified include species of Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Enterococcus.[13] The percentage of gram-positive bacteria responsible has been increasing.[7][13]
A spontaneous fungal infection can often follow a spontaneous bacterial infection that has been treated with
Pathophysiology
As for the significance of ascitic fluid proteins, it was demonstrated that cirrhotic patients with ascitic protein concentrations below 1 g/dL were 10 times more likely to develop SBP than individuals with higher concentrations.[21] It is thought that the antibacterial, or opsonic, activity of ascitic fluid is closely correlated with the protein concentration.[22] Additional studies have confirmed the validity of the ascitic fluid protein concentration as the best predictor of the first episode of SBP.[20]
In nephrotic syndrome, SBP can frequently affect children but only very rarely can it affect adults.[23]
Diagnosis
Infection of the peritoneum causes an inflammatory reaction with a subsequent increase in the number of neutrophils in the fluid.[5] Diagnosis is made by paracentesis (needle aspiration of the ascitic fluid); SBP is diagnosed if the fluid contains neutrophils at greater than 250 cells per mm3 (equals a cell count of 250 x106/L) fluid in the absence of another reason for this (such as inflammation of one of the internal organs or a perforation).[1][10]
The fluid is also cultured to identify bacteria. If the sample is sent in a plain sterile container, 40% of samples will identify an organism, while if the sample is sent in a bottle with culture medium, the sensitivity increases to 72–90%.[10]
Prevention
All people with cirrhosis might benefit from antibiotics (oral
- Ascitic fluid protein <1.0 g/dL.[21] Patients with fluid protein <15 g/L and either Child–Pugh score of at least 9 or impaired renal function may also benefit.[24]
- Previous SBP[25]
People with cirrhosis admitted to the hospital should receive prophylactic antibiotics if:
- They have bleeding esophageal varices[26]
Studies on the use of rifaximin in cirrhotic patients, have suggested that its use may be effective in preventing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.[9][27]
Treatment
Antibiotics
Although there is no high-quality evidence, the
In practice, cefotaxime is the agent of choice for treatment of SBP. After confirmation of SBP, hospital admission is usually advised for observation and intravenous antibiotic therapy.[29]
Where there is a risk of kidney malfunction developing in a syndrome called hepatorenal syndrome, intravenous albumin is usually administered too. Paracentesis may be repeated after 48 hours to ensure control of infection. After recovery from a single episode of SBP, indefinite prophylactic antibiotics are recommended.[10]
Prokinetics
The addition of a
Intravenous albumin
A randomized controlled trial found that intravenous albumin on the day of admission and on hospital day 3 can reduce kidney impairment.[31]
Epidemiology
Patients with ascites underwent routine paracentesis; the incidence of active SBP ranged from 10% to 27% at the time of hospital admission.[32]
History
SBP was first described in 1964 by Harold O. Conn.[33]
References
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