Diagnosis

• Up to 10% are asymptomatic
• > 250 PMNs/ml is diagnostic
• Putting 20 ml of ascitic fluid in 2 separate culture bottles increases yield 25%
• Each hour of delay in tx increases mortality 3%

Treatment

• Ceftriaxone or cefotaxime
• Albumin after paracentesis:
  • If creat > 1 mg/dl, BUN >30 mg/dl or total bili > 4 mg/dl
  • Dose is 1.5 gram/kg