Health Encyclopedia

Peritonitis - spontaneous bacterial

Definition

The peritoneum is the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of the organs in the abdomen. Peritonitis is present when this tissue becomes inflamed or infected.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is present when this tissue becomes infected and there is no clear cause.

Alternative Names

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP); Ascites - peritonitis; Cirrhosis - peritonitis

Causes

SBP is most often caused by infection in fluid that collects in the peritoneal cavity (ascites). The fluid buildup often occurs with advanced liver or kidney disease.

Risk factors for liver disease include:

Very heavy alcohol use
Chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C
Other diseases that lead to cirrhosis

SBP also occurs in people who are on peritoneal dialysis for kidney failure.

Peritonitis may have other causes. These include infection from other organs or leakage of enzymes or other toxins into the abdomen.

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

Other symptoms include:

Exams and Tests

Tests will be done to check for infection and other causes of abdominal pain:

Blood culture
White blood cell count in a sample of peritoneal fluid
Chemical examination of peritoneal fluid
Culture of peritoneal fluid
CT scan or ultrasound of the abdomen

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause of the SBP.

Surgery may be needed if SBP is caused by a foreign object, such as a catheter used in peritoneal dialysis.
Antibiotics to control infection.
Fluids given through the veins.

You will need to stay in the hospital so health care providers can rule out other causes such as a ruptured appendix and diverticulitis.

Outlook (Prognosis)

In most cases, the infection can be treated. However, kidney or liver disease may limit recovery.

Possible Complications

Complications may include:

Loss of brain function occurs when the liver is unable to remove toxins from the blood.
Kidney problem caused by liver failure.
Sepsis.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider if you have symptoms of peritonitis. This can be a medical emergency situation.

Prevention

Steps should be taken to prevent infection in people with peritoneal catheters.

Continuous antibiotics may be used:

To prevent peritonitis from coming back in people with liver failure
To prevent peritonitis in people who have acute gastrointestinal bleeding due to other conditions

References

Garcia-Tsao G. Cirrhosis and its sequelae. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 144.

Kuemmerle JF. Inflammatory and anatomic diseases of the intestine, peritoneum, mesentery, and omentum. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 133.

Sola E, Gines P. Ascites and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 93.

Review Date:5/6/2022
Reviewed By:Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.