SPONTANEOUS BACTERIAL PERITONITIS CAUSED BY LISTERIA-MONOCYTOGENES

We present a case of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) caused by Listeria monocytogenes in a patient previously diagnosed as alcoholic liver cirrhosis. The clinical presentation, biochemical data and outc ome of the patient are compared with those of cases of SBP caused by L isteria monocytogenes in patients with cirrhosis published in the Span ish and English literature. Twelve out of 20 cases described in the li terature were published by Spanish authors. This greater proportion co uld be related to dietary habits (greater consumption of fruits and ve getables), climatic or demographic factors. We underline the importanc e of pursuing a microbiological diagnosis since Listeria monocytogenes is intrinsically resistant to cefotaxime, the antimicrobial often sel ected to empirically treat SBP episodes.