Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Procedures for In Vitro Cultivation of Treponema pallidum, the Syphilis Spirochete
09:45

Procedures for In Vitro Cultivation of Treponema pallidum, the Syphilis Spirochete

Published on: January 24, 2025

Haemophilus paraphrophilus peritonitis followed by tuberculous peritonitis and Pott's disease

DuChu Wu1, Badri Giri

  • 1Department of Medicine, North Central Bronx Hospital, Mount Sinai School of Medicine (Bronx) Program, New York, New York 10467, USA. wuduchu@yahoo.com

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences
|September 24, 2010
PubMed

Insights

This case report details a rare instance of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) caused by Haemophilus paraphrophilus in a patient with alcoholic cirrhosis. The patient later developed a unique combination of tuberculous peritonitis and Pott's disease.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Hepatology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and ascites face a significant risk of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP).
  • Differential diagnosis for SBP in this population typically includes common bacterial pathogens.

Observation:

  • A case of SBP caused by Haemophilus paraphrophilus, a previously unreported pathogen in SBP, is presented.
  • The same patient subsequently developed tuberculous (TB) peritonitis concurrently with thoracic Pott's disease, a novel co-occurrence.
  • Diagnostic confirmation involved positive mycobacterium cultures from omental and vertebral tissues.

Findings:

  • Computed tomography (CT) revealed characteristic findings of TB peritonitis.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated spinal cord compression secondary to Pott's disease.
  • Tuberculosis was identified as a treatable cause of peritonitis in this cirrhotic patient.

Implications:

  • Tuberculosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of SBP among patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.
  • Early diagnosis through biopsy and prompt surgical intervention for TB are crucial for favorable outcomes.
  • This case highlights the importance of considering uncommon pathogens and co-infections in complex clinical scenarios.

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Tuberculosis II01:28

Pulmonary Tuberculosis II

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While its primary impact is on the lungs, leading to pulmonary tuberculosis, it can also affect various other organs, a condition referred to as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
Amebiasis01:28

Amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
Gastritis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Gastritis II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of gastritis begins with the colonization of the stomach lining by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). This bacterium spreads mainly via the oral-oral route through saliva or shared utensils, and can also be transmitted in overcrowded or unhygienic environments through contaminated water, despite its brief survival outside the body.ColonizationOnce ingested, H. pylori enters the stomach and begins colonization by navigating through the mucus layer lining the stomach wall. It...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III01:31

Pulmonary Tuberculosis III

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection primarily affecting the lung parenchyma but which can also affect other body parts. TB can be classified based on disease development, presentation, and the affected anatomical site.
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
Appendicitis01:19

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is an acute inflammatory condition of the vermiform appendix, most commonly caused by obstruction of its lumen. The appendix is a narrow, blind-ended pouch that extends from the cecum, making it particularly prone to obstruction. Causes include fecaliths, lymphoid hyperplasia (often after viral infections), parasites, tumors, or foreign bodies. This obstruction initiates a cascade of pathological changes.Luminal Obstruction and Early InflammationAfter obstruction, normal mucosal...
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...