All are true about primary bacterial peritonitis, EXCEPT:
Ascitic fluid PMN count > 250 is diagnostic
Microbiology of PBP is distinctive
Some patients may be totally asymptomatic
Usually does not respond to routine antimicrobial therapy
PBP is commonly present with fever, but it can present without any symptoms too. Ascitic fluid analysis should be performed in all suspected cases and PMN > 250/l is diagnostic of PBP. Escherichia coli are most commonly encountered as the cause of PBP. In PBP, a single organism is typically isolated. PBP is usually treated with cefotaxime and it responds very well to it. Ref: Harrison, E-18, P-1081.