Immunomodulating effects of antibiotics used in the prophylaxis of bacterial infections in advanced cirrhosis

Figure 1 Bacterial translocation and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis - pathogenic mechanisms. Intestinal bacterial overgrowth (1), increased intestinal permeability (2) and immune alterations (3 and 4) are considered as the main mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of bacterial translocation (BT) defined as the passage of bacteria from the intestinal lumen through the intestinal wall and to mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) in cirrhosis. SBP: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.