Author(s)

Helen Ngo, Raymund Gantioque

Patricia A. Chin School of Nursing, California State University, Los Angeles, USA.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in patients with cirrhotic liver disease is a serious complication that contributes to the high morbidity and mortality rate seen in this population. Currently, there is a lack of consensus amongst the research community on the clinical predictors of SBP as well as the risks and benefits of prophylactic antibiotic therapy in these patients. Pharmacological gastric acid suppression (namely with PPIs and H2RAs) are frequently prescribed for these patients, many times without a clear indication, and may contribute to gut bacterial overflow and SBP development. However, this remains controversial as there are conflicting findings in SBP prevalence between PPI/H2RA-users and non-users. In addition, studies show recent antibiotic use, whether for SBP prophylaxis or for another infectious process, appear to be associated with higher rates of SBP and drug-resistant organisms. Other researchers have also explored the link between zinc, platelet indices (MPV), and macrophage inflammatory protein-1 β (MIP-1β) levels in liver cirrhosis, all of which appear to be promising markers for classifying SBP risk and diagnosis. This literature review was limited by the number and quality of studies available as most are retrospective in nature. Thus, more ongoing, prospective studies and trials are needed to judge the true value of the findings in the studies reviewed in hopes that they can guide appropriate prevention, diagnosis, and management of SBP.

Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP), Liver Cirrhosis, PPIs, H2RA, Antibiotic Prophylaxis, Antibiotic Resistance, Zinc, Inflammatory Biomarkers, Platelet Indices (MPV), Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1 β (MIP-1β)

Ngo, H. and Gantioque, R. (2017) Predictors of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP) in Liver Cirrhosis: Current Knowledge and Future Frontiers. Open Journal of Gastroenterology, 7, 297-307. doi: 10.4236/ojgas.2017.712031.