Rifaximin for the prevention of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

According to a review article by Biecker et al published in a previous issue of World Journal of Gastroenterology in March 2011, intestinal decontamination with norfloxacin remains the mainstay of primary prophylaxis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) at the expense of development of quinolone-resistant bacteria after long-term use. In our research, the administration of a 4-wk regimen with rifaximin 1200 mg/d reduced significantly the ascitic neutrophil count in cirrhotic patients with sterile ascites in line with a significant decrease in plasma endotoxin levels. Our observations concur with recent findings, showing a significantly reduced 5-year probability of SBP in cirrhotic patients taking rifaximin.