Peritonitis is inflammation of the tissue that lines the abdominal wall and covers the abdominal organs. This tissue is called the peritoneum.

Spontaneous peritonitis usually results from ascites, a collection of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, which is usually related to liver or kidney failure. Risk factors for liver disease include alcoholic cirrhosis and other diseases that lead to cirrhosis, such as viral hepatitis (Hepatitis B or C).

Spontaneous peritonitis also occurs in patients undergoing dialysis for kidney failure.

• Fluid in the abdomen
• Abdominal pain and distention
• Abdominal tenderness
• Fever
• Low urine output

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Joint pain
• Chills

Tests that show infection:

• Culture of peritoneal fluid
• Chemical examination of peritoneal fluid
• Peritoneal fluid analysis( paracentesis)
• Cytologic examination (cell studies) of peritoneal fluid
• Blood culture

• Abdominal imaging studies (to rule out other causes of abdominal pain)
• WBC (nuclear) scan