Jm. Regimbeau et al., A new etiology of acute abdominal emergencies in cirrhotic patient: Secondary pneumococcal peritonitis with jejunitis, HEP-GASTRO, 47(36), 2000, pp. 1633-1635
We report the first case of secondary pneumococcal peritonitis associated w
ith acute jejunitis in a 52-year-old homeless Child-Pugh C cirrhotic man wi
thout ascitis. The patient was admitted with clinical signs of peritonitis,
and jaundice. Morphologic examination was unremarkable. A laparotomy revea
led a diffuse peritonitis, and an acute jejunitis with prenecrotic lesion.
The lesion was located within the first centimeters of the jejunum, immedia
tely after the duodeno-jejunal angle, extented on 15cm. A resection of the
first 15cm of the jejunum was performed with duodeno-jejunal side-to-side m
anual anastomosis. Gram-stain and cultures of blood, peritoneal pus, and je
junal mucosa revealed a penicillin-sensitive Streptococcus pneumoniae. Appr
opriate parenteral antibiotic treatment was initiated (aminopenicillin). Th
e postoperative course was marked by a transient hepatic failure associated
with an ascitis controlled by diuretics. The patient was discharged on the
26th day after surgery.
This case reports a new etiology of acute abdominal emergencies in cirrhoti
c patients.