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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffInfection of the peritoneum can happen for a variety of reasons. Here are the most common causes of peritonitis:
- Peritoneal dialysis. Dialysis removes waste products and extra fluid from your blood when your kidneys can no longer adequately do so. With peritoneal dialysis, the network of tiny blood vessels in your abdomen (peritoneal cavity) is used to filter your blood. Peritonitis is the most common complication associated with peritoneal dialysis. An infection may occur during peritoneal dialysis due to unclean surroundings, poor hygiene or contaminated equipment.
- Fluid buildup. Diseases that cause liver damage, such as cirrhosis, can result in a large amount of fluid buildup in your abdominal cavity (ascites). That fluid buildup is susceptible to bacterial infection. This type of peritonitis is called spontaneous peritonitis.
Secondary peritonitis
When other medical conditions result in an infection that causes peritonitis, it's referred to as secondary peritonitis. These causes include:
- A ruptured appendix, stomach ulcer or perforated colon. Any of these conditions can allow bacteria to get into the peritoneum through a hole in your gastrointestinal tract.
- Pancreatitis. Inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis) complicated by infection may lead to peritonitis if the bacteria spread outside the pancreas.
- Diverticulitis. Infection of small, bulging pouches in your digestive tract (diverticulitis) may cause peritonitis if one of the pouches ruptures, spilling intestinal waste into your abdomen.
- Trauma. Injury or trauma may cause peritonitis by allowing bacteria or chemicals from other parts of your body to enter the peritoneum.
- Baron MJ, et al. Intraabdominal infections and abscesses. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2890287. Accessed May 12, 2009.
- Treating kidney failure with peritoneal dialysis. National Kidney Foundation. http://www.kidney.org/patients/plu/plu_pd/pd_8.cfm. Accessed May 17, 2009.
- Mandell GL, et al. Peritonitis. In: Mandell GL, et al. Mandell, Douglas and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. Philadelphia, Penn.: Elsevier; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/137891329-3/0/1259/540.html?tocnode=51378139&fromURL=540.html#4-u1.0-B0-443-06643-4..50071-4--cesec2_2535. Accessed May 17, 2009.
- Runyon BA. Treatment and prophylaxis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 12, 2009.
- Rangel SJ, et al. Peritonitis. In: Long SS. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Penn.: Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/137891329-3/0/1679/73.html?tocnode=55241490&fromURL=73.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06687-0..50072-2_1499. Accessed May 17, 2009.
