Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (pronounced: spon-ta-ne-ous bac-te-rial per-i-to-ni-tis), often abbreviated as SBP, is a type of peritonitis that occurs without an obvious source of contamination.

Etymology

The term "spontaneous bacterial peritonitis" is derived from the Latin words "sponte" meaning "of one's own accord", "bacterium" meaning "bacteria", and "peritonitis" meaning "inflammation of the peritoneum".

Definition

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is a potentially life-threatening infection that primarily affects people with cirrhosis and ascites. It is characterized by an infection in the peritoneum, the thin layer of tissue that lines the inside of the abdomen, without an evident cause such as a ruptured appendix or a puncture wound.

Symptoms

Symptoms of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis can include abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In severe cases, it can lead to sepsis, a serious and potentially fatal condition.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis typically involves a paracentesis, a procedure in which a needle is used to draw fluid from the abdomen. This fluid is then tested for the presence of bacteria and white blood cells.

Treatment

Treatment for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis usually involves antibiotics to fight the infection. In severe cases, hospitalization may be required.

Related Terms

• Peritonitis
• Cirrhosis
• Ascites
• Sepsis
• Paracentesis
• Antibiotics

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
• Wikipedia's article - Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

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