Curriculum · Gastroenterology
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
What it is
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is infection of the ascitic fluid, and it is one of the complications of portal hypertension, listed there with ascites, esophageal varices, hepatorenal syndrome, hepatic encephalopathy, and splenomegaly with thrombocytopenia. It is one of the complications that turns compensated cirrhosis into decompensated cirrhosis.
How it presents
The history is fever and abdominal pain. It also belongs among the signs of cirrhosis alongside jaundice, pruritus, signs of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, edema, and confusion due to hepatic encephalopathy. Any change in mental status or in clinical condition in a patient with cirrhosis is enough reason to look for it.