title: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis caused by infection with Listeria monocytogenes: a case report and review of the literature.
abstract: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is a frequent and often serious complication of long-standing ascites in the presence of advanced liver disease. Coliform bacteria account for the infection in most cases and are thought to be related to translocation of bacteria from the bowel into the peritoneal cavity. The empiric use of cefotaxime is well established as most of the causative organisms are sensitive to this antibiotic. However, we report on a case of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in a patient with hepatitis C related cirrhosis who was awaiting liver transplantation caused by infection with Listeria monocytogenes, in which the patient did not improve with empiric antibiotic therapy. This case adds to the 23 others reported in the literature since 1966. Our case raises some concerns about the universal empiric usage of cefotaxime for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis because it does not offer adequate coverage against organisms such as Listeria, enterococci, Pasturella, and anaerobes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Missouri 63104, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jayaraj
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Di Bisceglie
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gibson
mesh_terms: D000667:Ampicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D013407:Sulbactam / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D005839:Gentamicins; D000667:Ampicillin; D002439:Cefotaxime; D013407:Sulbactam