Rifaximin Prophylaxis for Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis and Hepatorenal Syndrome in Cirrhotic Patients

Overview

Norfloxacin is the most commonly used drug for the prophylaxis against spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in patients with liver cirrhosis. Rifaximin, another broad spectrum antibiotic with only trivial absorption from the gut, is used for the treatment of traveler's diarrhea and prevention of hepatic encephalopathy.

Prophylaxis against spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in cirrhotic patients recovered from an episode of SBP using Norfloxacin 400 mg/day is currently established standard of care. Recently we are facing the growing challenge of standard SBP prophylaxis lacking efficacy as extended spectrum beta-lactamases and fluoro-quinolone resistant bacteria in isolates of patients on Norfloxacin. Prophylaxis against Hepatorenal Syndrome in decompensated liver cirrhosis is limited to IV administration of Albumin in patients who develop SBP and the prevention of SBP using Norfloxacin. this study aims to investigate the effectiveness of Rifaximin in decompensated cirrhotic patients against SBP as a secondary prophylaxis measure and Hepatorenal Syndrome. our study was non inferiority prospective non randomized controlled trial The study enrolled patients with chronic liver disease and ascites who were monitored at outpatient clinics or who were admitted to Ain Shams University hospitals.104 patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis were enrolled in the study, The Control Group (n=52), to receive standard of care treatment \& Norfloxacin prophylaxis for the decompensated liver disease and a second Treatment Group (n=52) who will receive Rifaximin prophylaxis in addition to the original management.

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