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Description

Listeria monocytogenes rarely can present as an acute bacterial peritonitis.


 

Patients at risk:

(1) cirrhosis with ascites

(2) peritoneal dialysis

(3) liver transplant

(4) ventriculoperitoneal shunt

(5) primary pulmonary hypertension

(6) immunocompromised status

 

The diagnosis should be suspected in a patient with risk factors for listeriosis who does not improve within 24-48 hours after starting antibiotics.

 

A Gram stain can be helpful to identify small Gram-positive bacilli and to exclude common causes of peritonitis..

 

Culture may be required to definitively identify the organism.

 


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