SPONTANEOUS BACTERIAL PERITONITIS

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a bacterial infection of ascitic fluid which arises in the absence of any other source of sepsis with in the peritoneum or adjacent tissues. It is a serious complication of cirrhotic ascites, arising most commonly in those with advanced liver disease. It often develops insidiously and may remain unrecognized. The mortality rate of a single episode is similar to that of a variceal bleed at 20 to 40% [1,2].Thus survival of patient with SBP depends on an aggressive approach to diagnosis and treatment and measures should be taken to prevent its occurrence.

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