Flaum M A
Gastroenterology. 1976 Mar;70(3):416-7.
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in decompensated cirrhotic patients develops when bacteria invade preexising ascites. It is probable that other transudates such as pleural effusions can be afected in a similar manner. This paper describes a cirrhotic patient with long-standing pleural effusion in whom Escherichia coli caused a spontaneous bacterial empyema. The ascitic fluid was sterile.
