Liver Cirrhosis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Liver Cirrhosis, including details on alcohol, treatment, drugs, effects, causes.

Long-term prophylaxis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in patients with cirrhosis.

Frazee LA, Marinos AE, Rybarczyk AM, Fulton SA

Akron General Medical Center, Akron, OH 44307-2463, USA. lfrazee@agmc.org

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature regarding long-term prophylaxis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in patients with cirrhosis. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE (1967-September 2004) and bibliographic search of the English-language literature was conducted using the search terms spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, cirrhosis, antimicrobial, and prophylaxis. DATA SYNTHESIS: Long-term antimicrobial prophylaxis has been shown to decrease recurrent SBP in cirrhotics with a prior episode. Prophylaxis in patients with low ascitic fluid protein has also been shown to reduce the incidence of SBP; however, studies are too in-homogeneous to identify subgroups that benefit the most. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term antimicrobial therapy should be considered for secondary prophylaxis of SBP. Studies should be done to confirm this benefit and identify subsets of patients with low ascitic fluid protein who clearly benefit.

Published 21 April 2005 in Ann Pharmacother, 39(5): 908-12.
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