Frequency of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis in Cirrhotic patients with ascites due to Hepatitis C Virus and Efficacy of Cirpfloxacin in its Treatment

Abstract

Objective: The frequency of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in cirrhotic patients with ascites due to hepatitis “C” virus and efficacy of Ciprofloxacin in its treatment.

Material and methods: This study was conducted in medical units of Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar from July, 2008 to Jan, 2009. A total of 100 patients were studied. All those patients who had either already diagnosed or had symptoms and signs of chronic liver disease were included in the study. The main tool for the diagnosis of SBP was diagnostic peritoneal paracentesis which was then repeated after giving 200mg I.V ciprofloxacin for 5 days.

Results: The overall frequency of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis in cirrhotic patients with ascites due to HCV was 38 in 100 patients (38%). 52 males and 48 females were studied. Among 38 patients with SBP, 20 were males and 18 were females. All the patients with SBP were put on intravenous ciprofloxacin for 5 days and 79 % of them responded completely.

Conclusion: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is a common complication of liver cirrhosis leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Although SBP responds excellently to Ciprofloxacin as shown in this study (79 %), even then the morbidity and mortality is high.