From: Treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections in the era of multi-drug resistant bacteria
 | Causes of peritonitis | Most common bacterial species |
---|---|---|
Primary bacterial peritonitis | Peritoneal infection without anatomic barrier disruption; most common in patients with cirrhosis or severe immune dysfunction or early childhood | Gram negative Enterobacteriaceae, Streptococcus spp. |
Secondary bacterial peritonitis | Peritoneal infection with perforation of the gut wall and spillage of bacteria into the peritoneal cavity. This peritonitis may be health care associated or community-acquired | Polymicrobial infection with Gram- negative Enterobacteriaceae, Gram- positive Enterococci, Staphylococci and anaerobes |
Tertiary peritonitis | Persistent or recurrent infection after "adequate" treatment of primary or secondary peritonitis; most common in patients with severe co-morbidities or compromised immune function | Polymicrobial infections like in secondary peritonitis, but more likely to involve resistant bacteria |