Korean J Gastroenterol.  2013 Sep;62(3):179-181. 10.4166/kjg.2013.62.3.179.

A Case of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis Caused by Listeria monocytogenes

• Kim BS
• Kim TY
• Kim JY
• Yoo KS
• Jeon YC
• Han DS
• Sohn JH
• Kim J

• KMID: 1707202
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4166/kjg.2013.62.3.179

Abstract

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a life-threatening complication in patients with ascites caused by advanced liver disease. While gram negative bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia are the common pathogens, Listeria monocytogenes has been recognized as a very rare pathogen. Empirical treatment with third generation cephalosporins does not provide adequate antibiotics coverage against L. monocytogenes. Diagnosis is often delayed as it requires confirmation from ascitic fluid culture. Herein, we describe the first case of SBP caused by L. monocytogenes in a patient with advanced alcoholic liver cirrhosis in Korea. Clinicians should be aware of the atypical pathogens, especially in patients with inadequate response to empirical antibiotics.

Keyword

Listeria monocytogenes; Peritonitis; Liver cirrhosis

MeSH Terms

Ampicillin/therapeutic use
Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use
Ascites/microbiology
Humans
Listeria monocytogenes/*physiology
Listeriosis/*diagnosis/drug therapy
Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic/*diagnosis
Male
Middle Aged
Peritonitis/*diagnosis/*microbiology
Ampicillin
Anti-Bacterial Agents

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Changes in blood white blood cell (WBC) count and ascite polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) count according to antibiotic treatment.

Reference

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