Hepatology

Question 1

What is spontaneous bacterial peritonitis?

Answer 1

An infection of ascitic fluid that cannot be attributed to any intra-abdominal, ongoing inflammatory or surgically correctable condition

Question 2

What is most frequently encountered bacterial infection in patients with cirrhosis of the liver?

Answer 2

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

Question 3

What are the key diagnostic factors for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis?

Answer 3

• End-stage liver disease
• Abdominal pain
• Signs of ascites
• Fever
• N&V
• Diarrhoea

Question 4

What is the definitive finding in ascitic fluid tests that diagnoses spontaneous bacterial peritonitis?

Answer 4

Neutrophil count >250 cells/mm^3

Question 5

What is the management of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis?

Answer 5

• Empirical IV antibiotics
• Albumin
• Large-volume paracentesis