People who have fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites) caused by cirrhosis are at high risk of developing infections of this fluid. Most people who develop these infections have long-term (chronic) cirrhosis. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is the most common ascitic infection caused by bacteria.

SBP infection can be successfully treated with antibiotics, such as cefotaxime sodium (Claforan), that kill bacteria usually found in the intestinal tract. Your doctor may perform a procedure called paracentesis to collect a sample of fluid from the abdomen. The fluid can be analyzed to determine which antibiotic will be most effective against the bacteria causing the infection.

Most people who are treated with antibiotics recover from the infection. After recovery, you must continue to take additional antibiotics to prevent the infection from recurring. You will take antibiotics for the rest of your life once you have had an infection of ascitic fluid.