Condition
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP)
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.Published 30 April 20051 min read
Key points
- Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum, which is the membrane that lines the wall of the abdomen and covers the organs.
- Spontaneous peritonitis is an infection that occurs as a complication of ascites (a collection of fluid in the peritoneal cavity), which is usually related to liver or kidney failure.
Alternative names
Peritonitis - spontaneous
Definition
Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum, which is the membrane that lines the wall of the abdomen and covers the organs. Spontaneous peritonitis is an infection that occurs as a complication of ascites (a collection of fluid in the peritoneal cavity), which is usually related to liver or kidney failure.
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
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