Insights on Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis in Cirrhosis

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis can be a silent driver of badness in patients with cirrhosis, presenting with subtle or asymptomatic local features. It may cause nonspecific symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, ileus, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, but can also be totally asymptomatic in a significant percentage of patients. Cirrhosis is the most common cause of acquired immunodeficiency, and the body may struggle to fight off invaders into the peritoneum.