title: Spontaneous peritonitis caused by Enterococcus faecium.
abstract: Three cases of spontaneous peritonitis caused by Enterococcus faecium are presented. The underlying condition was alcoholic cirrhosis in each case. This enterococcal species has never before been reported as a cause of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Two patients responded to therapy. The development of enterococcal peritonitis and the cases documented in the literature are briefly reviewed. Taxonomic problems with pathogenic, clinical, and therapeutic implications are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Ramon y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pascual
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sureda
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lopez-San Roman
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barcena
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Rafael
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hernandez-Cabrero
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Boixeda
mesh_terms: D000667:Ampicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D014031:Tobramycin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000667:Ampicillin; D014031:Tobramycin