Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis with Pasteurella multocida in cirrhosis:: Case report and review of literature

Most Pasteurella multocida human infections involve skin and soft tissues and invariably develop after a bite or a scratch from a dog or a cat. However, other infections with this organism occur infrequently. Enteric microorganisms are the common cause of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). We report a case of SBP in a cirrhotic patient from P multocida. English literature (Pubmed) review revealed 12 adult cases of SBP in cirrhotic patients with P multocida. Nine patients were exposed to animals, though a break in the skin or a bite was not reported in each case. The SBP was fatal in four of these patients.