Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis:

Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP) is a frequent and serious complication of cirrhotic patients with ascites. Patients with SBP are frequently asymptomatic and present in 15% of all those with ascites admitted to hospital irrespective of their symptoms. Diagnosis should also be suspected in cirrhotic patients with ascites presenting with:

• Acute deterioration
• Hepatic encephalopathy
• Impairment of renal function
• Peripheral leucocytosis without any obvious precipitating factor

Investigations and diagnosis
Antibiotic Treatment
Secondary Prophylaxis - for patients who have recovered from a previous episode of SBP

The Full Guideline "Antibiotic Guidelines for Adult Patients with Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis or Liver Cirrhosis with Upper Gastrointestinal Bleed." is available here. 

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Caution; the antibiotic doses recommended on this website are intended for adult patients with normal renal and liver function unless otherwise stated. Dosing advice for patients with renal impairment is available here.

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