Listerial Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis

Samira Samant1, Bradley Uyemura1, Pandit Sarbagya1

  • 1Internal Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA.

Cureus
|March 28, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a severe complication of ascites. This case highlights a rare Listeria monocytogenes infection, emphasizing the need for consideration in high-risk patients.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a serious complication in patients with advanced liver disease and ascites.
  • It is typically caused by Gram-negative bacteria, and standard empiric treatments target these pathogens.

Observation:

  • A rare case of SBP caused by Listeria monocytogenes was identified in a patient with portal hypertension.
  • The patient's condition was secondary to nodular regenerative hyperplasia.

Findings:

  • Diagnosis was confirmed through peritoneal fluid culture, identifying Listeria monocytogenes.
  • The patient's SBP responded well to ampicillin treatment.

Implications:

  • Listeria species are often resistant to common SBP empiric therapies.
  • Prompt consideration and diagnosis of Listeria monocytogenes SBP are crucial in high-risk individuals to prevent mortality associated with treatment delays.

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