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By Mayo Clinic staffLeft untreated, peritonitis can extend beyond your peritoneum, where it may cause:
- A bloodstream infection (bacteremia).
- An infection throughout your body (sepsis). Sepsis is a rapidly progressing, life-threatening condition that can cause shock and organ failure.
References
- 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.