ABSTRACT

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is defined as an ascitic fluid infection associated with a positive bacterial culture and polymorphonuclear leukocyte cell count of ≥ 250/mm³ in the absence of a surgically treatable intraabdominal source of infection. This infection almost universally exists in the background of severe liver disease. In this article, the clinical, pathophysiological, diagnostic and therapeutic features of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis are reviewed.