Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae: evidence for a transfallopian route of infection

We describe the clinical and laboratory features of a case of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a sexually active woman with Laennec's cirrhosis, ascites, and asymptomatic cervical gonorrhea. Treatment of the infection with high-dose parenteral penicillin was associated with resolution of the infection. This first report of spontaneous gonococcal peritonitis provides highly suggestive evidence that the transfallopian route is a mechanism whereby bacteria may enter the peritoneal cavity. Appropriate cultures for this organism should be included when a woman with chronic liver disease, who is sexually active, presents with spontaneous peritonitis.