title: Spontaneous bacterial empyema in cirrhosis.
abstract: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in decompensated cirrhotic patients develops when bacteria invade preexising ascites. It is probable that other transudates such as pleural effusions can be afected in a similar manner. This paper describes a cirrhotic patient with long-standing pleural effusion in whom Escherichia coli caused a spontaneous bacterial empyema. The ascitic fluid was sterile.
mesh_terms: D004653:Empyema / Q000209:etiology*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology