Health Encyclopedia

Peritonitis - spontaneous

Definition

Peritonitis is swelling (inflammation) of the peritoneum -- the tissue that lines the wall of the abdomen and covers the abdominal organs.

Alternative Names

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP)

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Spontaneous peritonitis is usually caused by ascites, a collection of fluid in the peritoneal cavity. This usually occurs from liver or kidney failure.

Risk factors for liver disease include alcoholic cirrhosis and other diseases that lead to cirrhosis, such as viral hepatitis (Hepatitis B or C).

Spontaneous peritonitis also occurs in patients who are on dialysis for kidney failure.

Symptoms

Other symptoms include:

Signs and tests

Tests that show infection:

Blood culture
Cell studies (cytologic examination) of peritoneal fluid
Chemical examination of peritoneal fluid
Culture of peritoneal fluid
Peritoneal fluid analysis (paracentesis)

Other tests:

Abdominal imaging studies (to rule out other causes of abdominal pain)
WBC (nuclear) scan

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause of the peritonitis.

Surgery may be needed if peritonitis is caused by a foreign object, such as a catheter used in peritoneal dialysis.
Antibiotics may control infection in cases of spontaneous peritonitis with liver or kidney disease.
Intravenous therapy can treat dehydration.

You may need to stay in the hospital so health care providers can rule out other causes of peritonitis, such as appendicitis and diverticulitis.

Expectations (prognosis)

The infection can usually be treated. However, kidney or liver disease may limit recovery.

Complications

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of peritonitis. This can quickly become an emergency situation.

Prevention

Patients with peritoneal catheters should be treated with sterile techniques. In cases of liver failure, antibiotics may help prevent peritonitis from coming back.

References

Runyon BA. Ascites and Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Sleisenger MH, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2006: chap 88.

Review Date:8/22/2008
Reviewed By:Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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.