Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Evidence for a transfallopian route of infection.
We describe the clinical and laboratory features of a case of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a sexually active woman with Laennec's cirrhosis, ascites, and asymptomatic cervical gonorrhea. Treatment of the infection with high-dose parenteral penicillin was associated with resolution of the infection. This first report of spontaneous gonococcal peritonitis provides highly suggestive evidence that the transfallopian route is a mechanism whereby bacteria may enter the peritoneal cavity. Appropriate cultures for this organism should be included when a woman with chronic liver disease, who is sexually active, presents with spontaneous peritonitis.
D000328:Adult; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000150:complications; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*
D010406:Penicillins