Summary
A 63-year-old man with decompensated liver cirrhosis and pure red cell aplasia complained of pyrexia, abdominal distention and abdominal pain. A diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), Conn’s syndrome, was made upon the isolation of an anaerobeClostridium perfringens from both ascitic fluid and peripheral blood. The bacteria were found to be susceptible to piperacillin, and administration of the antimicrobial agent markedly improved his SBP. The anaerobes should be kept in mind as one of the possible pathogens of SBP, although anaerobic infection has been reported to be quite rare in the disease.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Gribbin JC, Cox CJ. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in a healthy adult male. Aust N Z J Surg 1990;60:723–725.
Thomas FB, Fromkes JJ. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis with acute viral hepatitis. J Clin Gastroenterol 1981;4:259–262.
Isner J, Macdonald JS, Schein PS. Spontaneous streptococcus pneumonia peritonitis in a patient with metastatic gastric cancer. Cancer 1977;39:2306–2309.
Lipsky PE, Hardin JA, Schour L, et al. Spontaneous peritonitis and systemic lupus erythematosus. JAMA 1975;232:929–931.
Hallak A. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Am J Gastroenterol 1989;84:345–350.
Hill MJ, Draser BS. The normal colonic bacterial flora. Gut 1975;16:318–323.
Targan SR, Chow AW, Guze LB. Role of anaerobic bacteria in spontaneous peritonitis of cirrhosis. Am J Med 1977;62:397–403.
Brown RL, Peter G. Clostridial spontaneous peritonitis. JAMA 1976;236:2095–2096.
Weinstein MP, Iannini PB, Stratton CW, et al. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. A Review of 28 cases with emphasis on improved survival and factors influencing prognosis. Am J Med 1978;64: 592–598.
Woelfel GF, Hansbrough JF. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and pneumoperitoneum. JAMA 1983;249:921–922.
Butler T, Pitt S. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis due to Clostridium tertium. Gastroenterology 1982;82:133–134.
Bar-Meir S, Conn HO. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis induced by intraarterial vasopressin. Gastroenterology 1976;70:418–421.
Conn HO, Fessel JM. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhosis: variation on a theme. Medicine 1971;50:161–197.
Targan SR, Chow AW, Guze LB. Spontaneous peritonitis of cirrhosis due to Campylobacter fetus. Gastroenterology 1976;71: 311–313.
Correia JP, Conn HO. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhosis: Endemic or epidemic? Med Clin North Am 1975;59:963–981.
Herman R, Goldman IS, Bronzo R, et al. Clostridium cadaveris: An unusual cause of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Am J Gastroenterol 1992;87:140–142.
Sheckman P, Onderdonk AB, Bartlett JG. Anaerobes in Spontaneous peritonitis. Lancet 1977;2:1223.
Hoefs JC, Runyon BA. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Dis Mon 1985;31:1–48.
Lahnborg G, Friman L, Bergham L. Reticuloendothelial function in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Scand J Gastroenterol 1981;16:481–489.
Crossley IR, Williams R. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Gut 1985;26:325–331.
Soriano G, Guarner C, Teixido M, et al. Selective intestinal decontamination prevents spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Gastroenterology 1991;100:477–481.
Hoefs JC. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: Prevention and therapy. Hepatology 1990;12:776–781.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tsurumi, H., Tani, K., Tajika, K. et al. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis due to Clostridium perfringens in a patient with liver cirrhosis and pure red cell aplasia. Gastroenterol Jpn 27, 662–667 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02774983
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02774983