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Peritoneal sample
Peritoneal sample
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Peritonitis - spontaneous

Definition:
Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum, which is the membrane that lines the wall of the abdomen and covers the organs. Spontaneous peritonitis is an infection that occurs as a complication of ascites (a collection of fluid in the peritoneal cavity), which is usually related to liver or kidney failure.

Alternative Names:
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP)

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Most cases of bacterial peritonitis occur:

  • When fluid accumulates in the peritoneal cavity (ascites) because of chronic liver disease.
  • In kidney failure patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. In these patients, the cause of spontaneous peritonitis is infection in the blood that spreads to the peritoneal fluid, usually from a contaminated peritoneal dialysis catheter.

Risk factors for liver disease include alcoholic cirrhosis and other diseases that lead to cirrhosis, such as viral hepatitis. Patients with kidney failure can develop nephrotic syndrome, which leads to ascites and can then become infected.

Spontaneous peritonitis is rare in children.



Review Date: 12/29/2002
Reviewed By: Hebe Molmenti, M.D., Ph.D., Private Practice specializing in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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