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You are here : AllRefer.com > Health > Diseases & Conditions > Spontaneous Peritonitis

Peritonitis - Spontaneous

Provided by A.D.A.M.

Definition

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

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Alternate Names : Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP)


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.

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Peritoneal Sample
Peritoneal Sample

 
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Overview, Causes, & 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.



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Definition
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Symptoms & Signs
Prevention
Diagnosis & Tests
Treatment
Prognosis
Complications
Calling Your Health Care Provider
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Topics that might be of interest to you

Diseases & Conditions

Abscess
Appendicitis
Ascites
Cirrhosis
Dehydration
Diverticulitis
Hepatic Encephalopathy
Hepatorenal Syndrome
Intestinal Obstruction
Liver Disease
Nephrotic Syndrome
Peritonitis
Sepsis

Tests & Exams

Blood Culture
Peritoneal Fluid Analysis
Peritoneal Fluid Culture
WBC (Nuclear) Scan

Surgery & Procedures

Abdominal Exploration

Other Topics

Abdomen - Swollen
Abdominal Pain
Chills
Fever
Intravenous
Joint Pain
Nausea and Vomiting
Point Tenderness
Thirst - Excessive
Urine Output - Decreased

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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