LISTERIA PERITONITIS

COMMON PRESENTATION OF AN UNCOMMON ORGANISM

Abstract

One case of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) caused by Listeria monocytogenes in cirrhotic patients is reported. In our case, the listeris was isolated from ascites from the asictic fluid. SBP is a serious and common complication of patients with ascites caused by hepatic cirrhosis and the culture of the ascitic fluid is an important tool for the diagnosis and for the more appropriate treatment. Although a third generation cephalosporin has usually been employed for empiric treatment of SBP, it does not provide adequate coverage against Listeria spp. In such cases the use of ampicillin (with or without sulbactam) or sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim is recommended. The sulfamethoxazole trimethoprim is used for secondary prophylaxis, instead of norfloxacin. To summarize, Listeria monocytogenes infection is a rare cause of SBP, whose treatment should be specific for the bacteria.