Pasteurella multocida septicemia and peritonitis in a patient with cirrhosis: case report and review of the literature.

A case of Pasteurella multocida septicemia and peritonitis in a patient with cirrhosis is reported and the literature reviewed. Patients with cirrhosis and exposure to domestic animals are at risk for this infection. Initial empiric therapy of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in such patients should include a penicillin to which this organism is usually susceptible.