SPONTANEOUS BACTERIAL PERITONITIS AS A COMPLICATION IN ADULT PATIENTS WITH LIVER CIRRHOSIS AND ASCITES

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is one of many complications in patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites. It is defined as ascitic fluid (AF) infection with positive bacterial culture, where polymorphonuclear leukocytes in AF exceed the number of 250/ ml, and where there is no evident intaabdominal source of infection possible to treat surgically. If not diagnosed and treated in time the prognosis is poor, because this complication is associated with already existing chronic liver disease. In recently published studies, reported mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis and SBP has been 20 to 40%. Early diagnosis and adequate therapy of SBP can significantly improve prognosis in these patients.